What's stopping us from offering RFA Oettinger a fat deal? These are last year's numbers but the Sabres could offer up to $4.1MM/AAV for 5 years and only end up owing Dallas a 2nd round pick. You could go $6.1MM/AAV for 5 and lose a 1st and 3rd.
https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2021/6/28/22554643/2021-offer-sheet-compensation-set-nhl-rfa-rules-picks-aav-calculation
What about keeping the path clear for your prospects? To me that's secondary if Oettinger plays well. And if he doesn't you still have UPL, Levi and Leinonen in the pipeline.