I don't get it. Some of you are saying how we need money next year to sign Vasilevskiy, Cernak, Cirelli, Sergachev and Joseph. Then you got those who say we aren't good enough we need to bring in other players. What if the reason we need to save money for those players is because we expect them to all get better and make the team better, which in turn will cost us more?
Instead of Pavelski in the top 6 how about Cirelli? He's already showed he can be a top 5 3C in the league, see if he can become more. Cernak was a solid top 4 D, can he push towards a top pair guy or a good #3? Sergachev is brimming with potential but we've been cautious with him, let him open up his game and become a top 4 guy. Joseph probably won't be a top 6 winger next year but could really push to being a 20-20 guy which would put him into the top of the 3rd line category. Vasilevskiy is already a Vezina winner. For depth players we have Verheaghe who just led the AHL in scoring. Volkov has been knocking on the door for two years. Barré-Boulet had a great rookie year and could be ready soon. On D Foote has been developing great and isn't too far out. Masin took a step back last year but is strong defensively and is cheap depth. I prefer to let our youth get first crack at improving the team and then make a trade in season if we are weak in one area.