Quoting: Bias_it_self
I love Hertl, but I’m personally of the mindset that it’s best for the team to move on from him. We need to get younger and use ELCs to hold us through the tail end of the big contracts.
I would never argue that logic. If I was GM and more importantly had the ownerships blessing (this is something most ACGM don't think about! owners want to win just as bad as fans and they make quick bad judgements on GM jobs when they feel the GM isn't helping their team win) I would be a seller this trade deadline and try and move Hertl, Reimer, Simek, Bonino, and Clogliano for as much as I can get for them. I would also listen to offers for Knyzhov, Balcers, Barabanov, Nieto, but these 4 would have to come with good offers as I do like their play and feel they are valuable to us now and in the next few years.
I would try and open up as much cap space as I could, I would give our scouting team all the resources I could and try and have another draft like we did in 2020 and 2021 (both extremely good drafts for us).
with another above average 2022 draft consisting of 2 firsts and a plethora of mid round picks, combined with a few prospects we get from the deadline trade we would then have a legit top 5 prospect pool.
Sign a few short term deals with older vets (1-3 years) to bridge the gap from now till the prospects start making the team. (Bordeleau, Robins, Coe, Weisblatt, I would assume all still play in the minors or college next year and then they start making the team 23/24) and try and build a team that is good in the regular season but built for the playoffs. my hope would be to be a legit cup contender by 25/26 season.