[TrentCrimmIndependent]

in retrospect the absolute best move for the future of the team would've been to not sign the extensions, let weegar and huberdeau play up their value and stoke a bidding war at the deadline between contending teams, and of course keep the extra 1st

the hard part was having Sutter and markstrom signed who were win now moves .. so really it was never realistic that they would go that route with this ownership and the terms that sutter signed under. he came out of retirement to win a cup for the local team and repay ownership for their faith in him 20 years ago

there was too much pride here to resign to their fate after gaudreau left .. i respect the way tre rebounded but going all in on the elite draft could have allowed the team to rebound in a couple years with a much brighter future ahead of it

the fact that this team barely looks playoff able is damning given how much and how long we committed to these veteran players

now he has to do miraculous work around these pieces to salvage the next two years of Sutter with any kind of meaningful run

things can change but boy do things look bleak

we need a young player or two to emerge as star talents in this league to really have a shot of this turning around .. whether that's Phillips, coronato or both