If one of Bennett or Jankowski surpasses Backlund at center that would increase our chances. And if Tkachuk can become a point per game player. But it has to happen within two-ish seasons. If not, they need to acquire someone else for their top 6 via trade. Frolik won't be a 2RW for long, and Giordano is slowly losing steam. The defence will be fine, but you have to find that production elsewhere, and then some.
If I were to estimate, I'd say we need to find another 30 goals and 60 points in production to have an adequate offence for a contender - the extra 30 goals would be putting them into the top 5-6 teams in goals-for in the league. Either you find that through the current core players collectively improving, or by adding another source of offence.
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