We need Sergachev to be an impact player to counter the powerhouse that is arising down the 401. Unless we have the horses to match Matthews, Marner, Nylander, etc. whatever window Montreal has, will close very abruptly. Very abruptly indeed.
I'm afraid of that powerhouse. Those Leafs fans will hunt us for the next 10 years if we don't change our core. We won't have the upper hand soon anymore.
Our only hope is for Galchenyuk to finally start becoming an offensive force for us. He needs to show the league that he's not a complementary player but on the other hand, a catalyst. The one who other players fear. Not a 3rd line winger that disappears.
Then add in young players like Lehkonen and Sergachev. We have those 2 that can become special players. Other in line would be Scherbak. That remains to be seen if he can turn out anything close to a top 6 winger. Victor Mete, Lernout might contribute but have many years before coming into our lineup.
We need to add to that core: Galchenyuk, Lehkonen and Sergachev.
The rest:
Carey Price
Shea Weber
Alex Radulov(if resigned)
Max Pacioretty
Brendan Gallagher
That's about it. That's our team.
Matthews-Nylander-Marner demonstrate more potential than any of our young players. We have to counter. We have to trust Galchenyuk becoming an offensive force. We can't only settle for 60 pts from him. He needs to be a PPG player. playing 18-20 mins per game. Sergachev is better than all of the Leafs dmen prospects. We have that over them.