Probably their last year to have a chance to win anything

Isn't it strange that the Pens can trade 5.375m Jarry can be traded and the then sign the apparently just as good Nedeljkovic for 2.5m? Gotta think the Devils can find just as good goalie as Jarry on the UFA market cheaper than Jarry.

you are under the impression that I think Ned is "just as good". I don't.
Nor did I sign him to be the starter. He's still the backup. Blom is the guy going forward.
He's just going to be worked slowly into it.

But hey, have your cake man.

I don't mind that 4th line, but I highly doubt the Isles buy him out, and if they do i'd imagine he'd look to sign for cheap with a contender.

Bunting will stay on the second line, too much chemistry there and a good fit with Geno.

Don't mind Teuvo with Sid either.. may be interesting.

Leaving a lot of money on the sideline however, and I don't think that goalie combo is it. Nor do I think they can go into the season with Poulin as 3C.

We'd MUCH rather re-sign Viktor Arvidsson for three or four years than spend a modest asset to acquire Reilly Smith for one. Arvy will be cheaper, too.

I saw on a list that Lee was pretty high up on a list of potential buyouts. I have no doubt he would like to join a contender, question is does a contender want him and at what price do they want to pay him to play on the 4th line.

I view the LW situation as fluid. They have to find a situation that works. I didn't want to leave that 3rd line without anyone who can be the guy to look to on the ice. It's basically 2 guys with no NHL experience and then the LW. At least to start the season, that line might need some leadership. If anything if they can find a 1 year deal on a 3RW maybe bring them in to help. But I don't know where we actually find that nor do I really want to keep blocking paths to younger players. We need to open paths up for these guys.

I agree on the goalie situation. Normally, I wouldn't trade Jarry here either.
But they need solutions on the LD already. OP is at least 1 year in the AHL before we see him. FA isn't really filled with good options. They need a guy who can stay home, clear the net, and PK to be the shut down pair on the 3rd pairing. We don't have that and it has shown all year. Fixing the 3rd pairing is the biggest issue on this team. Even ahead of the scoring. Fixing it will help the goalies big time.
If Blom doesn't work out there is always Murashov. But I don't have any reason to believe Blom can't get it down, he's clearly too good of a goalie to let sit in the AHL and they have never let 2 potential starters share time in the AHL. Be it Clang or Gustavsson or insert name of goalie prospect here, they have traded out quite a few over the years. They always move 1 guy out because there isn't enough net time for 2 and a mentor.
I really don't want to move Blom or Murashov in trade. Because I think they both have potential to be really good. So we have to make room for them.

As far as Poulin I like what I saw in his 8 games here. But I agree, and as I stated above, if he can't get it done, Broz is next in line. The only other real option is to keep Acciari, but I'd rather move him out and let the bottom 6 really open up with youth the year after this and open up paths. They got 3 guys to fill there. Pouline, Broz, and Ponomarev. Not to mention a place for Yager is he shows he's ready to jump. Someone has to step up. It's now or never.

They don't have a choice on the leaving money on the table. Again, as above, unless it's a 1 year deal it's not working for PIT. They have to resign too many players next yea who are going to get a raise. MP, Doc, Bahl, Sid most likely.

I don't know what else to say on that. They can't tie that much cap up on term which means FA is kind of hard to use it. If I were to spend on a 1 year deal I would be 3RW. But I don't want to bring in another old as dirt 33+ year old winger type. I'd rather play youth.