Quote:
Originally Posted by Manhattanboy
Count me in the camp that is really worried about the future of this team.
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Why?
Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Sam Bennett, TJ Brodie, and Dougie Hamilton is a great core to have and they're all 25 or younger. Take out Brodie and 22 and younger.
If one or two of Jankowski, Poirier, Shinkaruk, Klimchuk, Kylington, Andersson, and Hickey can pan out they're in a great spot. Hopefully one of Gillies or McDonald pans out as well. On top of that they're probably going to add one of Matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi, Tkachuk, or Chychrun at the draft.
If this team can find a solution in net and replace some under-performing veterans (Wideman, Hudler, Jones, Russell) either at the trade deadline, the draft, or free agency I see no reason why they can't contend for a playoff spot.
Don't forget the Islanders made the playoffs, the next year they finished 26th overall, and bounced right back. Adding one more high pick this year is not a bad thing. If anything I'm more excited for the future this year than last year.