Again, a problem that was entirely avoidable by not signing Brannstrom. This team needed a veteran RHD who would sign for less than $1.5M, they absolutely did NOT need an undersized bottom-pairing LHD getting $2M. There's your roster flexibility and cap flexibility solved in one go. Hamonic was never paid to be a full-time roster player, while Brannstrom was paid close to top 4 money. Hamonic's NMC would be completely irrelevant if they hadn't signed Brannstrom to $2M.
It's simply not true and it's been demonstrated multiple times through player interviews the value solid veterans bring in the background.
It's right on the cusp, actually. 147 players making $2M+ in a league with 32 teams, means a distribution of 4.5 per team. It's a touch higher if you remove the LTIRetired players from the list.
As to the second bolded part, it's not a feeling, it's irrefutable fact. He gets #5 minutes, he's often sheltered, he's not counted on for the primary PK, his QoC is fairly low, his deployment indicates sheltering. I don't know why you make it sound like people are projecting this on to him. Watch him play, review the advanced stats and let the 2 form a complete picture instead of pretending this is some gut feeling someone has.