[Cali Panthers Fan]

In this order:

-Fire Sutter. Under no circumstances make him the GM, or give him another position in the organization because it will only undermine the GM. Take a serious look at Mitch Love or assess any recently fired NHL coaches who still have abilities. Is Quenneville completely off the table??? I dunno, but something to think about. New coach picks his assistants. If that isn't the current crew, so be it.

-Have internal player meetings and assess what's wrong with the culture and dressing room. Explain the culture change that will come with a new coach and see if any of the players have a real "come to Jesus" moment. If any player gives an impression that they aren't all in for the success of this team, ship 'em out for whatever you can. Could be Backlund, Kadri, Mangiapane, Hanifin...everyone is on the table. No more cancerous elements that undermine the team. May be hard to dump someone like Kadri, so you may have to give more leeway on that one and just hope he gets back to his old self.

-Assess other possibilities of getting good value for tradeable veterans that only have 1 year left. Get as much draft capital or young prospects that you can: Backlund, Tanev, Hanifin, Zadorov. If any of those guys can return a king's ransom, do it. You need to restock the cupboards. My guess is you get interest in Hanifin, and I would do it if the return was good.

-Contact Kylington and assess the situation. Require that he indicates to the team what to expect from him by the draft so that the team can plan appropriately and make trades/moves as necessary. If he cannot provide clarity, ship him out for additional draft capital/prospects. Assess an extension for him throughout the season if he comes back and plays well.

-Do early assessment of ability to extend both Lindholm and Toffoli. Both are good players who do not rely on speed to be successful, but intelligence and skill. Those attributes age well. If possible, sign each to 5 year extensions. If there's no interest, add to list of players to possibly explore a trade for futures.

-Draft well. Keep all draft picks and be open to trade possibilities at the draft to add draft capital or prospects. Trade Vladar for futures to open a spot for Wolf.

-Free Agency: Say good bye to Lucic, Lewis, Ritchie, and Stecher (sorry, a short stint of good play does not overcome his long history of having serious shortcomings as a defenseman). Sign Gostisbehere or Klingberg as a pure 3rd pairing PP specialist to a 3 year deal (in desperate need of a good defenseman on the PP). No other free agents.
-Prospects: Qualify all RFAs. Let all UFAs walk except for Dansk as a 3rd string option.

Out: Coaching staff, Lucic, Lewis, Ritchie, Hanifin, Vladar.

Extended: Lindholm, Toffoli, Kylington

In: Mitch Love/Veteran NHL coach plus assistants. Shayne Gostisbehere.

Called up: Ruzicka, Pelletier, Coronato, Wolf

Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli
Mangiapane-Kadri-Coronato
Pelletier-Backlund-Dube
Coleman-Ruzicka-Duehr

Weegar-Andersson
Tanev-Kylington
Gostisbehere-Zadorov

Markstrom/Wolf


Assess the team throughout the year. If it looks bleak, sell every asset you have that's over the age of 25 and go full scorched earth rebuild.