Quoting: Tsmash
The trades don’t seem awful but that’s a pretty rough middle six we are left with. If you could sign Stephenson as a ufa that might help
Not sure how you figure that middle 6 is weak, but just to be clear, this is not the complete retool finished. In this scenario, finishing the retool must wait until later in the season, or more likely the summer of 25. It's not feasible to move every mountain in one offseason.
And like I said, if a 2C is required for early competing, that can be handled in season. Guys like Nelson, Sharangovich and Granlund could be impending UFAs on struggling teams (you do see the available cap space, yes?
). As of now, I'd prefer to season Dean and others who'll join us during the season (such as Snuggerud). What I do not want to do is block them, as much as I would love to have Stephenson. If Schenn somehow goes, I will be the first in line to grab Stephenson, trust me.