There is no way Bergevin improves the team this summer.
I agree. I just don't see it happening. If he can do it i'll give him credit but it's far from done.
We need a strong top 4 LHD. I can live with one of Schlemko or Benn in the top 4 if we spend the money saved on a very good dman. Quickly the only one i see right now available july 1st is Shattenkirk. And i'm really not a fan of him. Many teams will want to sign Shattenkirk anyway. I don't see any other dmen who might be available july 1st who would justify having Benn or Schlemko in our top 4. And this includes Markov. I love the guy but he'll be 39 ... It's really not an ideal situation.
It's the same for center. There's not much available this summer. There's Hanzal and maybe BigJoe. That's pretty much it.
It's really a weak year for UFA and to be honest two of the most interesting upcoming UFA are Markov and Radulov.
We don't have much assets to trade. We are super strong on the wing (if we resign radulov) so we could use a winger to solve one of the two main issue (top 4 LHD and 1st center) but after that the only assets we have to solve the 2nd issue is Juulsen maybe.
People are drooling over the cap space we will have if we don't sign Radulov and Markov. I really don't understand. There's pretty much nothing available july 1st worth drooling about as far as i'm concerned. Maybe if you can land both Marleau and Thornton but that's a big gamble. They will probably resign in SJ anyway.