I agree with most of this; especially, the wolves needing to make the playoffs. The question of when does the rebuild stop? The rebuild is over when there are enough assets to compete with the top teams for a few years. I can say that 40% of the league is, or has been in rebuild mode for longer than the extremely long two seasons the wolves have been over the past 10 years. It is not every year no brainer choices like Ekblad, Chychrun, Nurse, McDavid, Tavares, Stamkos..is available; and, even less often is a team fortunate to pick a Marner at 20.
It should be more about re-tooling this year. The wolves will have three returning D next season and two possible OA D that would slot as an ok 5/6 pairing; however, two OA spots are likely used on Valentini and Dunda. The wolves are without 2nds in '17, '19, & '20. I think the wolves need to trade Capobianco if there's a reasonable offer. Then, they could pick up a left over OA D to ensure they stay ahead of Niagara & Barrie. If there's a team (Saginaw - Proner) that would exchange a younger D for two 19 yr olds in Wilkie & Mayo, that would be ideal.
It would be a huge mistake to return any of the current players you mention as OA's next season. Valentini is a player that the Wolves need to move for obvious reasons. Dunda is not a player we want to make a push with next season. OA's need to be quality and contribute in many ways. Leadership, experience, goal scoring or strong defensive play. Just because he has size that means nothing. His Junior career has been a huge disappointment. There has been no leadership from the older guys this year. Some issues have surfaced with players fighting with each other. More than once. An indication this team has no leadership behind the bench and with no real management around it leads to players not caring. Selfish behaviours surface and losing is consistent. This team has several issues and I hope that the new owner does not get taken advantage off because of his lack of hockey knowledge. Applaud the new vision for the team but the only way to get more positive is by getting players who all want to win and respect a good coaching and management team. Right now that isn't happening IMO.
Next year Sudbury loses the following players,
Jamieson-graduate
Yak-graduate
Capo-signed NHL
Wilkie
Mayo
Dunda
Valentini
Bowmen
Sokolov-could return to play in Russian league
Now out of that core of 19 year olds that could return as OA's.
Bowmen-Possible OA
Mayo-NO
Wilkie-NO
Dunda-NO we need to have room for the current drafted LW players such as Hucthiseon, Gaudreau etc...
Valentini-Way too selfish. Not a team player. Hasn't produced and lead offensivley as expected.
So to go along with the returning players next season we need to deal current vets to due to our lack of defensive depth and draft picks.
Capo- Deal him for a 17 or 18 year old defender and draft picks.
Valentini-Adds to any team making a run. Lets recoup a 2nd and 4th here.
Wilkie-Lets swap for any OA left on the market preferably a D. Gives us a chance to sneak into the playoffs with some experince.
So next season you end up with a line up like this to start.
Bowmen OA
McGrath 18
OGrady 19
Lalonde 17
Ali 18
Traded player for Capo 17 or 18 year old
Add an OA in the offseason 20 (Not Mayo)
Add another OA in the offseason 20
Drafted player 16
Samulsson-Wild card US player
Lzyerchuck 19
Pezzetta 19
Sokolov 19 (lets hope)
Pilon 19
Pilon 19
Lane 18
Carson 18
Garagan 18
Bulitka 18
Baker 17
Gilhula 17
Levin 18
Import player. 17 or 18
Hutcheson 17
McConville 17
Roach 17
Drafted player 16
So judging by the returning players up front it will mean we will need to make moves in the offseason to get the OA's needed on defence and not using any picks to get them. Then the roster numbers will be where they need to be.
So trading Capo is important to get that quality player for the next two years and some picks. Same with Valentini. Hope to deal Wilkie to anyone that can return an OA on defence like Sanvido from Windsor. No chance Mayo, or Dunda return next season.
Then this team has some depth next season. If they can have a strong start and retain picks then they can possibly add at next year's deadline to make a run.
WJ