If we're speaking honestly, I think we will be better next year WITHOUT EK. I think he killed the season (along with goaltending to a degree), with his terrible attitude to go along with his recovery play. He was a full blown liability in the D zone, and as captain the team went as he did.
I think whoever replaces him will make us a better team next year than this year. Brass leaving hurts a bit, but White/Brown may give us a bump. Duchene plying like he is now going forward from the start will, be huge for us. The guys left over wanting to right the ship is going to mean that the vibe and attitude in the dressing room should be all about winning games again, and I expect GB to have a better system after a summer of planning. I think he understands that his job is on the line.
I don't think the organization is in nearly the amount of disarray that people are claiming around here. I think once EK is gone, and maybe Hoffman, the attitude in the room will be healthy again, fans with settle in a less panicky grumble, and the team will be fun to watch.
I don't just care about the now, I just don't overvalue prospects, and given what we have in the wings, I'm not worried about trading some for immediate needs or quality. We absolutely did not overpay for Duchene, I'd trade those assets in a second for what we now have. Picks are like candy around here, it's crazy. The fan reactions in here have far outstripped the situation in real life. The media has done it's job, fans are in frenzy, but it will all calm down soon, with maybe this board being out a few posters.