I think they're planning on overhauling basically all of the depth forwards next season. Especially considering they took a run at Rantanen, I wouldn't be surprised if they're hoping to have Savoie, Philp, Tomasek all on the big team. I think they try to get out of Henrique's contract, probably Kane's as well (unless he lights it up in the playoffs). Perry's likely done after this season too.
I bet they're looking at
XXX - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Drai - Arvidsson
Savoie - RNH - XXX
XXX - Philp - Tomasek
Ekholm - Bourchard
Nurse - Walman
xxxx - Emberson
as the blueprint right now (not really looking at lines, just in terms of guys that are locks to be on the team). My guess is that they're waiting to see which forwards make it to FA, and are going to take a big swing at a Marner/Bennett if they get there, and try to cut costs everywhere else to make it happen. If someone like that isn't available, they'll try to retain Frederic, and maybe keep Kane or Henrique. I really think they want to add an elite player that is the same age or younger than McDavid though, which is why I think they'd break the bank for Marner.
I think Kulak likely gets moved if they go after a big forward. This is all speculation on my part, but I just think they realize now that this team is built to be top heavy, and that paying guys to play on your fourth line and bottom pairing just isn't worth it, given the opportunity they get here. Paying a forward like Henrique $3 million to play 14 minutes a night doesn't make a lot of sense when you still have question marks playing with McDavid or Draisaitl most nights. Better to spend whatever money you have on elite players who you know will perform, rather than a collection of middling players that may or may not work out.
