I dont hate it because I dont think we are really a legit contender next few years whether we like it or not. I like that you didn't give out tons of term and that you kept all our picks. But unfortunately do not know if this would be a playoff team. It's just such an impossible situation I dont know if any GM gets it right.

See I think this team could make the playoffs imo. Lots of pace, great D, Jarry in a good year hopefully and this could be a fun team.

Though yea you’re absolutely right on the GM part. I am hyped but at the same time I am anxious for the off-season to see the direction in which this team goes.

I like the 2 mil in cap space leftover for flexibility and adding a bit to forward and defensive depth without giving up too much. Don't think this team would have a legit chance at making a run unless the third line fully blossomed so not sure if I love giving away POJ without really going all in for a cup.

Valid points. I think this team definitely makes the playoff with the addition of a trade deadline acquisition or 2 based on how things go but yea on paper it may not seem so that they could make a run but with the pace and the defense and the depth I think it could be possible

Yeah, I like the cap flexibility to give the option of an in-season move

The issue is I dont know if we ever get a year again where both 87 and 71 are healthy whole year. Guess you can say that about any player, but with an older team its tough to say whether all factors and their play would stay the same. I agree maybe this team could make playoffs, but I dont think there's much we can do to make the team a true cup contender. Idk if signing a bunch of 27 and older players in free agency would make us be able to get past Jersey, NYR, Boston and others. But that's really all we can do unless we get super super creative. So question is do we try and get 1-2 more years of playoffs but not real contending, or just go straight for rebuild. It's also tough with Buffalo, Ottawa, Detroit and other teams on the rise that I'm sure will make playoffs next year. I think Florida will be better too with more cap room. There's just so many variables. If we get someone like Dubas I'd trust him to do whatever he wants. Others, not so much. Just so much up in the air. Very exciting but very stressful.

Yea I agree I mean the only way to do that would be to go making some high value trades but with that comes future assets and heavy risk; both of which we want to steer away from considering in 3-4 years we will be bottom feeders in the league

Agree. I worry that drop off could come sooner than we think. Reminds me a little of when the Blackhawks retooled two summers ago and traded for Fleury. They went all in after missing playoffs first time in a while and it seemed like they had a great roster, their core was still playing well, but they just were done. Dont know why, on paper they were good, but it just was the end for that group. I think that could be what happens here. Even though core is still playing great it feels like this period of contending might be over. I think it could get worse instead of better next season

Damn I didn’t even think of that tbh. Great analysis and for us it would be even worse considering the Letang, Rust, and Malkin contracts that were just signed as well. Guentzel is due next year too.

Yeah I hate to sound too harsh on here. I know how attached everyone is to the team (including myself) and they want to see it contend. But I just worry. We've seen the same thing with Detroit, Chicago. Core is still playing well, everyone thinks they can still contend, and then it crashes and brutal rebuild follows (due to waiting too long). I could be completely off, but just dont want to make same mistakes they did. Just has the feeling that this was the start of the collapse, as opposed to an off year.

Well who knows. Maybe the new GM tears it up and gets things started? Or maybe we find a way to still compete and it works. There’s optimism but at the same time there’s all the reason to be concerned.

Agree, I can see it going either way. I don't think anything is certain at this point.