Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
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.
|
I think there's a third option. And that's dealing Monahan now. If he's not part of your future identity wise (not fast enough or creative enough), deal the guy for a prospect and a pick. His production alone can bring that back. So you build temporarily around JG and MK, get a higher draft position this upcoming year, develop players in the next year or so and hopefully this time next year you have more depth in your system, more draft picks, higher draft picks and you can afford to buy a FA or two to accelerate the quick retool. Right now this upcoming season Zary ain't gonna be anyone, and there are no other prospects knocking on anyone's door, so make this a development year, minus Monahan. This is such a critical year. Trading away next years' picks and getting rid of someone at the top is a surefire way of years of mediocrity.