While this is probably true, I don't believe that Francis actually gets any inside information.
I don't find him anywhere near as insufferable as I used to. In fact, I kind of like him in his role on TV, he has grown into it.
But didn't he all but guarantee that Rasmus Andersson would be captain? I suppose that could have been before Backland decided to stay (which, oops, maybe he's regretting), but I'll take this with a grain of salt.
Personally, if they are going re-tool rather than rebuild, which I am sure ownership somehow still think is the way to go, then I think signing Hanifin is a must unless someone overpays.
Trade Lindholm if the return is decent, trade Kadri and/or Huberdeau if you can get anything at all and/or get out of their contracts.
Trade a goalie, whichever gives you a better return.
Trade Tanev, not because I don't like him, but because he is the type of defenseman that will cause a bidding war at the deadline and we'll get much more than he is worth in a trade.
You do this and hopefully ice enough pieces that like each other, rid the team of some of the toxicity and truly just aim to squeeze in if that is what ownership is intent on.
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agggghhhhhh!!!
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