I agree with those who say if Johnny walks the best course of action is a rebuild but I think the fact this team has Sutter here to win make that as big of a pipe dream as last offseason.
Johnny is the key to it all. If he stays ideally they proceed to move heaven and earth to fit him and Tkachuk together long term. Keeping Mangiapane might be tough but they could recoup a 1st+ for him. Even if Johnny stays and they can’t keep Tkachuk they can recoup high end pieces for Chucky, sign Mangiapane long term and maybe take a half step back before moving forward with more flexibility, and young high end talent they acquire for Tkachuk.
What I can’t really see is Johnny walking for nothing, signing Tkachuk and Mangiapane and remaining a highly competitive team. I feel like that team would possibly compete for a playoff spot with a reasonable top 6 with Mangiapane taking the top line LW spot and Toffoli moving up to the second line but there is a notable long term step back there in my opinion.
We still have 2.5 weeks until free agency and if Johnny signs I think it will be after the final has been completed. I think he stays but we can’t be 100% certain until it happens. Of all the free agents Johnny is the key to remaining a competitive team worthy of our HOF coach.
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