You don't want 16 Ds, if the majority of them require ice time to develop no. I counted 14 with all RFAs qualified. It would be fine if more than just Norlinder was going to be depth at best, but it's not the case.That isn't true though.
We currently have 10 D under contract with 3 RFAs. Even if we sign all 3 (Norlinder is a ?), we would be at 13 which is not enough for both the NHL and AHL.
You want around 16 D planned for the NHL/AHL, ideally with at least 1 or 2 more in TR.
They will have to trade, or some will just go unqualified.