People forget that this team was in first place in the Pacific division all the way through the end of 2019 last year with essentially the roster displayed below. I’d argue that our bottom 6 has improved significantly this offseason and we will be better than many people give us credit for.
Do I think this team will make the playoffs? Probably not. But if Keumper can play like he did last season, Kessel and OEL have a positive regression, and Hayton takes a big step in his development, I think that this team can be in the conversation around the trade deadline. They probably become sellers at the deadline, trading Goligoski/Demers, Stepan, and other veterans on expiring deals to restock the draft/prospect cupboard, and give Soderstrom/Jenik a late season cup of coffee.
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