However, if we somehow can move Stuart and Pavelec that cap space alone is enough to cover it. Plus they still have Stafford and Throburn eating cap who aren't in the long term plans...
Expensive, absolutely. But doable with our cost controlled forwards.
Gotta plan ahead. Forwards are only "cost controlled" for a short time window, and Yandle will want a long contract. That was the problem with signing both Ladd and Buff.
Ehlers - 2 years (probably a big long-term deal out of ELC) - $6M
Connor - 3 years (same as Ehlers, unless he's a dud) - $5M
Lowry - 2 years (new contract out of bridge) - $2.5M
Perreault - 1 year (if we re-sign) - $4M
Little - 2 years (bump up from $4.7M if we re-sign) - $5.5M
Wheeler - 3 years (bump up from $5.6M if we re-sign) - $6.5M
That group of 6 forwards might cost as much as $30 M (would have been $35 M or more with Ladd.
You still have Hellebuyck and the rest of a roster to fill.