I hope for the highest pick possible in this draft and the big thing is addressing the 6 pending UFA’s. I would make room for Coronato and Zary. Wolf has one more year in the minors for me then he is on the team in 24/25.
I think the team needs to choose between Backlund and Lindholm. Can they get Backs on a 3 year extension at a cheaper rate than he is on now? Does Lindholm want $9-10M for 8 years? I feel this team has committed to Huberdeau and Kadri and cannot sign another player to a massive deal that starts in his age 29/30 season.
Tanev could be offered a 1-2 year extension at a bit of a discount to stay otherwise I shop him. Hanifin I would consider keeping if he signs for under $7M but if he wants more then he should be shopped.
Toffoli absolutely should be shopped for futures. He will be an overpay on his next deal and should not be walked for nothing. Zadorov is the one guy I might roll the dice with walking to free agency, maybe keeping, or certainly moving if offered an overpay.
The team needs to be retooled and get younger. I am super optimistic on our top 4 prospects and with this season being a dud we are poised to add a much better prospect this year they can be a key piece to the future.
As for Sutter he should have been hired instead of Bill Peters. Take that 2019 team until the Gaudreau/Tkachuk contracts expired. He came too late and it is likely time to part ways. This team needs to get younger and deploy a system that helps maximize the abilities of Huberdeau.
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