Quote:
Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates
Stop depressing me with the truth 
How do you even start to fix all that... |
Well, you trade them, but not all at once. Fire sales have cheap prices. Gio you can keep around or trade at the TDL. Gaudreau is an issue by the start of the season.
You can maybe improve Tkachuk - better skating would work wonders. If so, he's young enough where he can contribute to a rebuilt team.
Look, all these players can be better. Monahan can get his hands back - that's his only issue right now - he's getting in decent position and just not making his shot. he's actually improved in other areas. Gaudreau can really work on adding some new things to his arsenal - go to the middle, try criss crossing to the right side. Tkachuk can finish better than he has been and make some better decisions.
You have a young D other than Tanev and Gio. Hanifin/Andersson and Valimaki is not a bad starting point, and Tanev's only issue is IMO health (not age). I also expect even more out of Mangiapane and Dube, but no more than second line type ceilings.
If you draft a top line C and another forward, and Tkachuk cures himself so you have a real top line, then you can have Lindholm, Dube and Mangiapane as a very dangerous second line. I still like Backlund, Lucic and Nordstrom for what they each bring. And if you can re-sign Ryan, whoever is on the 4th line is fine.