It's probably still too early for the trade market to have fully formed. But they may need to wait until late July or August to move 92/39 (92 more likely I'd wager). Maybe uncertainty forces them to move Oshie first to get younger/faster and add more flexibility. Maybe in time it's more of a swap of diminished assets, like Ryan Johansen for Kuznetsov with other depth pieces added. Primarily targeting value and looking within for solutions wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. They do have some players on the cusp. Beck Malenstyn certainly should graduate to 4LW as a physical energy PKer alongside Dowd. McMichael's time should come somewhere in the middle six, albeit maybe still not at center. The two won't move the needle too much individually but it's a process.
The coaching hire is the big priority nailing and adopting a consistent longer game mentality. They're going to have to be very resourceful maximizing what they have and integrating new faces while ideally seeking to play a crisper style. There's likely considerable room for growth 5v5 offensively given all that's been proven historically re: Lavi's effect on teams offensively over the years. It's probably not in itself enough to bounce back as much as they'll need and team defense on paper also may not quite be where it needs to be. If they could move on from Mantha, re-sign Orlov to a team-friendly deal and just make a value play or two up front it may be enough to be in the mix. They may have no other choice but to remain a big move away from being more formidable.
As far as the landscape in the East goes...you've got to figure FLA, TBL, TOR, CAR and NJD should be considered playoff locks next year. You never know with injuries but they're favorites. Then perhaps three spots for BOS, NYR, PIT, NYI, WSH, BUF and OTT. It promises to be a bloodbath. Four may not make it and BUF/OTT in particular are younger teams poised to improve. DET also has flexibility to be aggressive and more squarely get into the mix. There's perhaps a lot of turnover coming in BOS, a coaching change for NYR and management changes in PIT. That may open the door some if those mixes don't come together. If the Caps are able to finesse their way through some issues and manage to be greater-than-the-sum-of-their-parts with good health maybe they're back in the mix. You'd figure one way or another they'll move on from at least one $5M+ player, if not two or three, and put out a different look. They don't have a wealth of assets...but at times simple cap space is enough to pounce on an opportunity. They shouldn't spend for the sake of it, esp. on the wing for a less complete style player. They need goal-scoring but I doubt it's really worth going after a Boeser type. Sort out the rest to a higher degree and then maybe such a finishing piece could be contemplated. They mostly need to sort the center position but with 19 up in the air it promises to be a lingering issue no matter what. Fair to wonder just how aggressive they should be elsewhere if that position remains substandard.