With everyone who is signed for next year its currently at about $8.7M in cap space assuming Landy is gtg:
xxxxx/MacK/Nuke
Lehky/xxxxx/Necas
Landy/Coyle/Colton
Wood/Drury/LOC
Kelly
Toews/Makar
Girard/Manson
Middleton/xxxx
Blackwood/Wedgewood
You let Vesey and Kiviranta walk and you look to trade Wood as Kelly brings more to the table for a fraction of the cost. You then have $10.2M. If Nelson is the priority the floor is 5x$7M likely by some of the reports. Would he come down on AAV for additional term, would the Avs even be willing to do this? If its $7M there likely isnt room for Drouin so the choice is really him or Colton in the forward group with an overabundance of LWs, the choice for me is easy you trade Colton and sign Drouin. So if its similar money in and out the Avs are still left with about $3.2M, next priority for me is Malinski RFA contract but they could put that off until they figure out what to do with the defensive bottom 4.
Likely cant get Lindgren at $3.2 so something has to give which is Manson, Girard or let Lindgren walk. Even with Manson's injury and not being quite as effective as years past for me he would come first out if the 3 just with the lack of quality RD which could have been different if they had managed to get Carlo but here we are. I like both Girard and Lindgren but it just feels like we might need what Lindgren brings a little more and can get assets for Girard. I also really like the reports that the Avs were looking at Helleson which means they know they need to plan for life after Manson.
I also like bumping LOC up to third line and leaving the 4RW open for someone to catch on in camp like Foudy, Dufour, Stienburg, Olausson, Polin or whoever impresses. And if necessary a bottom or mid 6 RW can be pursued at the deadline.