Either way, Yzerman is not going to make this team any better this season. That has been shown by not acquiring any of the players that have been on the move recently that would've definitely made the team better. He is probably going to ride this team throughout and see if they can squeak in.
As mentioned above, Yzerman could've matched the Kakko trade.
Real Trade: Kakko for Boren, 25 3rd, 25 6th
US: Kakko for Lagesson, 25 3rd (we have 2), 25 6th
Fowler trade:
Real Trade: Fowler, 4th for a 2nd, J. Biakabatuka (who we once had)
US: Fowler, 4th for a 2nd, E. Viro (or K. Aucoin)
Trouba trade:
Real Trade: Trouba for a Conditional 4th, U. Vaakanainen
US: Trouba for a conditional 4th, again Viro or Aucoin
Jiricek trade:
Reak Trade: Jiricek and a 5th for D. Hunt, a 2025 1st round pick, 2026 3rd round pick, 2026 4th round pick, and 2027 2nd round pick
US: Jiricek and a 5th for (again) Viro or Aucoin, a 2025 1st round pick(protected), 2026 3rd round pick, 2026 4th round pick, and 2027 2nd round pick
Liljegrin trade:
Real Trade: Liljegrin for M. Benning, a 2026 6th round pick and a Conditional 2025 3rd round pick
US: Liljegrin for Lagesson, a 2026 6th round pick and a Conditional 2025 3rd round pick
Any one of, or combination of these trades would make our team better. For salary cap issues, you just waive players that suck or try to move some salary out to others.