You're free. Now go and hire like Pascal Vincent or something and do some real damage in the playoffs.

I have a few problems
1. You never put someone who hasn't earned it, or a rookie, as a second line center. He doesn't even go to the AHL, just one good year in Canadian minor league hockey and bam NHL second line C.
2. Why bother trading for Barrie if he's just going to be a third pairing defenseman? Could get one without giving up assets in free agency or use a guy in the A.
3. Why keep Hanley when he's the most replaceable guy on the team?
4. Those free agency signings. Gurianov gets three mil and Oettinger gets 750k more? What makes you think that?

You can shuffle the lineup around however you like. Young skill players should be put into a position to succeed with other skill players. JRob was in and out of the lineup on the fourth line with anchors as linemates before getting a shot in the top six due to injuries. Guys like Rads have “earned it” but were horrible last year… is that what you want in your top six? You can shuffle defensemen around as well. Have you ever seen a lineup set in stone for a season? Heck for a game? Barrie can get softer third pair minutes at even strength which should help the third and fourth lines pitch in more offense. I prefer a balanced approach while you seem more old school. I’m not saying either of our thought are right or wrong just different. Most important part of my post was the no more Bowness part lol. I’m hopeful Faksa can return to playing better with a proper coach, but I don’t see any scenario where Suter wasn’t a mistake. Especially on the top pair. Guri hasn’t shown he’s worth more than 3 million. He’s another I’m hoping can do better with a proper coach. But I don’t see him getting much more than his qualifying offer. Oetter might get more. I just wish the sample size was bigger before handing him more than that. Both are also restricted free agents which def matters. Hanley is the perfect 7D. Plays both sides. Can play any style of hockey. Clean, simple game. $750k. Unless you’re getting Hanley and Harley mixed up? I could see the confusion if you thought I had him on the top line. lol. Cheers

Lol. I appreciate someone on here actually using their brain. 4 good points.