I think Dave Lowry will be a competent NHL coach and that's all this roster needs to go far. On ice accountability goes a long ways. There's been pitiful little of that the last few seasons. I'm optimistic myself.
I'm cautiously optimistic.
But Lowry needs quite a turnaround to get into the PO. Once there, we could do some damage. This thread is about if he doesn't quite make it. If we don't look like making the PO, we should be sellers. What to sell is pretty easy.
Copp, Stastny, Beaulieu, if we haven't waived him before then. Anyone else?
Toninato having only 1 more year at 750k might qualify for TD. I doubt he returns enough to be worth moving. I think he is a decent 4th liner which we will need anyway. But if someone is willing to give us a 3rd or 4th, I take it. For less than that, I keep him.
Logan Stanley is similarly cheap for only 1 more year and might produce a decent return, but I think he might bring more in a hockey trade. Maybe as an add to a bigger deal.
That's about it, I think.
Get Beaulieu out of the conversation quickly. He doesn't return much, but if some team wants him for depth/grit I accept pretty much any offer.
Copp is valuable. He could be the basis for getting a prospect like Schneider but picks are the more likely currency. 1st + 3rd, I think. Oilers might be a good target if they can make the cap/LTIR work.
Stastny, I think, also has good value. Just the kind of experienced leader who can still play, including at the vital C position that teams need in the PO. His experience includes quite a bit of PO time too. Might just bring another late 1st, or a 2nd + 3rd.
On either of those we retain and/or take back an expiring contract.