Levshunov and Draisaitl

I think Leon gets closer to 14 but obviously you guys have lots of money to do that

I'm really starting to wonder about Levshunov, honestly. I don't think he is what everyone says he is. When I watch Michigan state games, he seems to be utilized almost exclusively in offensive roles, and any time I've seen him in the defensive zone he doesn't seem very good at his job. His offensive play is great, but does CHI really need another offense dman right now? I keep seeing these public scouts gushing over him and Parekh, but I just don't see it. I'm a big fan of defense first dmen, though. Offense is great, but you have to know how to defend or else none of that matters.

I think if CHI is going to snag some big fish UFA, Drai is a great target, but I'm not sure I want them to do that. I'm hoping there is a path to getting some higher end talent for Bedard to play with but on shorter term deals. That way we can promote from within when those contracts are up and don't end up with some contract that becomes a boat anchor because the player is getting older and has a lot of miles on them. Draisaitl is probably going to have a long and successful career. But say he falls below a point per game and he slows down defensively... Then CHI is trying to shoe horn in surplus value contracts to stay under the cap, and that long term $13-15M price tag could become a very annoying obstacle. We could end up in the same boat as some of these other top heavy teams that just don't have what it takes to win in the playoffs. Rather than letting this team grow organically, and then plugging in some difference makers down the road when they are closer to contention and have a better idea of the kind of players they need to fill the holes.

I guess it really depends on what kind of steps CHI takes next season, though. If they are trending heavily in the right direction with a lot of the young guys, Drai could definitely be the right target. I just don't see it coming together that quickly. I think KD is gonna keep plugging holes with veterans on short term deals until the young guys establish themselves and don't need their hands held anymore. Which, realistically, could still be 2 to 4 years down the road, seeing as most of them haven't even touched the NHL yet.

Why does this team feel like a recreation of the Edmonton oilers

If this team could be as good as Edmonton has been the past few seasons and still have 26 mil in cap space I'd be perfectly happy with that

I'd love for the hawks to make a run at draisaitl but only if they're pushing for a playoff spot before they sign him. If this team has that kind of growth only then do you make the big free agent signing. Maybe even wait a year and go for McDavid lol