Quote:
Originally Posted by fleury
Completely agree. Where I don't fully agree is the package it'd cost.
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There are really only two real options (outside of the treadmill)
Option A) Tank back to back years for Wright/Bedard.
The cost: Miserable seasons with high risk of not getting the picks you want, and becoming an unattractive FA destination
Option B) Acquire Eichel, try to build around him on the fly. You'll be in a futures deficit, but can probably make it work, maybe after a year or two. Maybe you'll never be a Tampa-tier contender, but you could definitely make some deep playoff runs, and maybe, after a long time, sort of pull off what Washington did in 2018. A slow buildup to a championship team.
The cost: some immediate futures
The treadmill option is still far worse than either of these options. Whether it's trading 2nds for Curtis Lazars or drafting middle six wingers with our first rounders, you're not going anywhere if you stick to this plan. Lindholm isn't a 1C. Monahan isn't a 1C.