[Fan69]

I think our position by the start of next year could look drastically different and better than where we currently sit and hence, the mini rebuild? but can it be done? ( whether management allows it is another subject )

I see a dearth of two things coming up through our system. I think that we can all agree our defensive depth issues have really been revealed. Secondly, besides Wolf, Coronato, Zary, ( Poirier I think is a couple of years away ) I dont see a lot of nhl regulars, but more specifically Middle to top six regulars.

I believe the reason we have this dearth started with the utterly ridiculous, preposterous, ill timed, poorly thought out mangle of management that was the Hamonic trade. then continued with constant picks going out for middling talent. Again I think ownership owns this one but again another topic.

What does this the summer look like? I have to run with some assumptions with this. OK does not come back, no indication of why or return so will stick with that. The Matty trade signees have not gone to management wanting out, or vice versa; we have them.

Trade Tanev. expected return first rounder and a b level prospect, possible roster player for money or other reasons. (Def, RW, C )

Lindholm wants out ( another assumption on rumours but his contract is coming and he would be highly desired) . traded expected return. first, 2nd, b level or better prospect.

Wolf has no reason not to be back up next year. Vladar traded. expected return. 3rd or 4th.

Toffoli. traded. expected return: low first. two seconds type of deal. however this would be a deadline deal, but if you can get into this draft why not?

best case scenario. between all tradable assets the return is a top six center, and a top three defensive young player or prospect. all of the trades would have a young player or prospect coming back. We could potentially walk out of a good draft with three first as well as a third that I dont think we have. Now I know a lot of posters are going to go we dont need more picks we need top five picks. While I get it its also the longest and most out of your hands approach since you depend on the lottery ball and our luck isnt that good. however with the top of this draft being forward heavy those picks a 15-30 could yield a high end forward as well as two defencemen since it doesnt look like any defencemen may go before ten. ( I could be wrong on that )

Ultimately we could add as many as half a dozen prospect on the level of Coronato. what about the roster though?

huby (expect much better from him next year)-kadri-tofolli
mangi-Backs ( with us for life)- Coronato ( or mystery new prospect ) Duer
Pelletier-Dube( mystery center )-Coleman
up for grabs - Rucicka - up for grabs

Andy-Han
(mystery defencemen) -Weegar
Zad- up for grabs or stetcher

Marky-Wolf

Now remember the mystery center and the mystery defencemen are young players maybe a little shy of taking those duties which would be the main target of the trades or they dont happen. Someone young that brings a new dimension to our team fighting for top six center with backs and Kadri ( I expect a much better year from Kadri next year ) as well as with
Weegar on defence. Even filling those spots we would have several young players pushing the bubble along with Zary and hopefully a couple of young defencemen would be rotating in and out instead of wasting picks on bottom pairing defencemen or resigning stone until he is 58.

Obviously some names are gone ( Ritchie, Lewis etc ) I see a young player on each line with a vet, the top line or whoever is the momentary top line center would have old vet Toffoli until deadline ( third option on the trades is a RW which were also lean on )

Now you can argue with the quality of the team to be sure but again thats with the addition of a young top six center ( who that looks like better hockey minds than me can maybe chime in ) as well as a top three top four defencemen.

I see a younger faster team, the addition of the extra picks and prospects from the trades could quickly refill the cupboard along with any surprises like Duehr seems to be a smart move particularly in this draft. Now can all those trades happen? certainly up for discussion. Could part of it happen and one of those first is next year as the deal happens at deadline? also up for discussion.

So is the mini rebuild possible ala the Hamilton trade except we have a defencemen and a arguable top line center in Lindholm to move as well as a few other assetts.

Could we right the ship in an offseason? Could Tre pull something like this out of red C ? What do you think?