I think we have a two-stage window. The next two years, and then the next 3-4 years after that.
As others have said, a lot rides on what Bennett is and whether we will get better than capable goaltending out of the Smith/Lack pairing. These are the determining factors for the next two years.
It's a very different question in three years, when Smith's contract ends. Who will be our #1G? We will be in a very different cap situation with Tkachuk needing a new contract, and Bennett's likely 2-year deal expiring. IIRC Brodie will be up then too, and Frolik and Brouwer are off the books. With the raises likely needed for our core, we will not be able to afford $4.5M complimentary wingers (or $3.5M third pairing defencemen) and will need to inject youth from within. So how long our window stays open after the two year period will depend on how our top 5-10 prospects fare at becoming NHLers.
|