I think we're better off going for younger players, promoting juniors and going for bargain buys. Fans want names and "star" players, but the situation we're in they aren't going to be helping us win a premiership. They're just a waste of money to put uneducated fans bums of seats.
Let me put it this way, we're going to be hamstrung by contracts and will be rebuilding over the next few years regardless of what happens at this point. We cant solve all problems this offseason. Next year is more or less another write off, the following year probably not a write off but we won't be winning the comp as we will still be fixing the roster.
What is the point wasting tons of money on high profile players when you aren't a contender for the premiership? You always pay over market to lure star power from another club, it's just the way it is - especially in our situation which looks ugly to any current prospects. You buy those players and by the time you're contending again those players are older or will be after another big money contract, it solves nothing.
IMO, we're much better off putting money into prized juniors/quality young players that we've scouted. Retaining those guys is an easier proposition. Throw money at a few of them and see what sticks, hopefully a few work out. Then, once we're relevant and contending again and aren't hamstrung by the cap issues, they will have experience and be in their primes.
We really need to use money alot more wisely than any other team at the moment because we're at a significant disadvantage.