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Nope. It's pretty apparent coaching isn't the problem. A lack of high-end talent is. Raymond and Seider are our high-end talent. They still have lots to learn before they reach the point we need them to in order to be contenders. I figure it's at minimum 3 seasons before we start to see what players they will become in their prime. Larkin will be ready to enter his 30-year-old season at that point. It starts to become pretty clear how bleak things look without another high-draft pick or two. Once the likes of Edvinsson, Wallinder, and Johansson get enough reps at the NHL to become an NHL-winning d-core, the roster is simply not good enough upfront with what is in the system now. Not even close. The first need is a legit franchise center. Kasper will be good, but he ain't it. Larkin also ain't it. Especially factoring in his age. The odds of getting these needs in the 10-20 pick range is pretty wishful thinking. tl;dr: We need a top 5 pick to get a potential 1C. The current path we're on we'll be like the Blues, where you hope the planets align where you get one good run at a cup. I'd rather suck a little longer to stockpile high-end talent like Tampa. The assets we can obtain selling Bert and Larkin would help a lot. There are zero reasons for us to have any less than 3 first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

Kraken didnt even do much this offseason. Added a few wingers same as us. The difference has been they inserted a future superstar 1C into their lineup in Beniers. Hes taking the Calder home this year and it wont even be a competition. Its almost like we should be doing everything in our power to get one of those.

I think we should look more at what SY is NOT committed to. This roster is still as lean and flexible as humanly possible. Our contract commitments beyond next year: F: Copp Fabbri D: Chiarot G: Husso SY is hardcore keeping his options open. He's committed very little to any single player. He can overhaul his roster on a yearly basis basically if he wants to. Take whatever you want from that.

That seems to be going well... I wouldn't go that far, but we're not making the playoffs for another 5 years.

Vrana going full cokehead f u c k e d the Yzerplan up. What a disaster. If we could dump all our players and go expansion draft style in 2023, I would.

I figure SY was trying to improve the team to get Larkin and Bert to stay

Frankly, we made a huge mistake not having a Larkin deal done and then signing a bunch of decent FAs. We're a bad team, with no hope of getting better, welcome to mediocrity. In 5 years we'll be doing the same hand wringing about Seider and Raymond, after wasting part of their prime years. We should have endured 1 more year of pain.

I really don't expect SY to trade anyone with term at this point in time. Vrana is heading to a buyout. If we're keeping Larkin, I'd like to also re-sign Bertuzzi, Sundqvist, and Walman. Then sell high on Maata, and get what you can for Erne and Oesterle. None of our other pendings have any value IMO. If we are not keeping Larkin, then go scorched earth and trade everyone. Ive read lots of speculation that Larkins deal doesnt get done till summer. I think it will be safe to assume that any pendings (with value) without a contract at the TDL, and that dont move at the TDL, are guys SY wants to re-sign. It will be butt hole clenching if SY goes this route and rumors will swirl, but I dont think SY will lose assets like Bert and Larkin and Walman to UFA.

If Hronek is worth 1st and 2nd Bouchard is worth more then that. This seems like a fair trade probly even favoring Detroit. Wings take this trade all day.

A couple of quibbles with this list, through mostly I agree with your assessments. I think Walman is playing himself into a new contract so I think he stays. Also, because I think Bert and Vrana are as good as gone Kubalik's offense is going to be needed, so I don't think they trade him (yet). He's still got term anyway. I'd also add Vrana, Ned, and Maatta to your list.

I don't like that trade at all... Hronek has term he should get you a 1st and a 2nd himself, or you keep him. Zadina is worthless like a 5th+ round pick. If you're helping a team by taking salary then the price starts at a decent prospect/2nd rounder. Since we didn't take on salary to any degree the past 3 seasons when it was easier for us and more advantageous for teams under a flat cap, I don't see that happening anyway. I think we're trading any or all of: Bert - late 1st or a high 2nd and low 2nd Kubalik - early 2nd Sunny - late 2nd or early 3rd plus a 4th Suter - late 2nd or early 3rd plus a 4th Erne - 3rd Wallman - 2 x 2nds Hagg, Lindstrom, Osterle - take your pick for a 4th rounder