Great post. I am optimistic about what this team can do with Sutter behind the bench. We're off to a good start to the season for the first time in forever. Johnny, Lindy and Tkachuk are playing well. Our young guys like Mang, Dube, Andersson and Kylington are taking huge steps. Our depth players have roles to play and most are doing well. I have liked what I've seen out of Pitlick, Lewis, Valimaki, Stone and Gudbranson. Markstrom is looking fantastic. Vladar is looking like he's going to be one of Tre's better trades in a while. I think most importantly, we finally have a legit coach that can get the most out of our roster.
I agree with the sentiment that depth is important. With that being said, I do not believe it trumps over having a franchise center. Getting a true franchise player, like top-15 player in the league, either through trade or through the draft, is the most difficult thing to do. I would argue that depth is way easier to acquire or obtain. Most of us hate Edmonton, but honestly, they've become a much deeper team just by getting garbage depth like Foegele, Ceci and Keith. These players aren't hard to get. McDavid and Draisaitl are hard to get. Imagine what they can do with actual depth. We had an opportunity to acquire a similar player in Eichel and I think we really missed out.
I'm optimistic about this season, but I do not believe that this team as constructed will ever win a Stanley Cup. Johnny, Lindy, Chucky, Mang, Dube are all great, and we may even win a round or two, but we need an Eichel, a MacKinnon, a McDavid, a Matthews to be a true cup contender.
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