how about taking Ference for a 4th?
He's injured and insured so you wouldn't have to actually pay him anything, and his deal expires in July so you can ramp up spending next year if you wish. I know we can just claim the space, but that space goes away just before our ELC bonuses would kick in so there is risk of overage here. We could also use the contract limit space (or do we get that spot back from LTIR?).
and it pains me to say it, but you should be talking to Calgary about taking Wideman off their hands. He's 5.25 AAV with 6 in actual salary, but they would be desperate to move him and would probably offer something pretty huge if you took the whole contract without retention. Think about the Teravainen deal to Carolina huge.