If you count, you have 13 forwards there without the top 6 player.
We are more likely to carry 8 D than 14 F, therefore we need one guy out to bring someone in.
If Roy starts in the AHL, you have 1 spot.
Sure, they could choose to go with 8 D instead of 14 F.
I've put RHP and Pezzetta there but they aren't essential to the team.
If you avoid adding a top 6 F just because you absolutely want to have those 2 players on the roster, you have a big problem.
Pezzetta is barely NHL caliber.
And Roy could indeed start the year in the AHL.
If you give him a spot before the season starts and it turns out he's not ready, that's another problem.
And if there are injuries, like it happens every year, then who do you call back to replace a top 6 player besides Roy.
Better to have too many good players than not enough.
In reality, they'd need to add 2 top 6 Fs, but with Demidov likely coming over in a year and at this stage of the summer, one will have to do for now.
But they have to get that player if they're really serious about making the playoffs.
So, if they have an opportunity to get that player now, they've got to take it. They have plenty of cap space to make it happen.