Anybody that has watched this team since 2010 or soon after can tell this is easily the best they've been since. We have better depth, better defensive play, better goaltending. There's no reason to think we can't make the playoffs. And yeah we might not go anywhere if/when we get there, but I know we'll put up a heck of a fight.
But yes it would be nice and a good idea to add a piece or two by the TD. We need the depth now. Can't imagine how bad we'll need it in several months. One major injury to a key player and we're in trouble.
I couldn't agree more Big Tuna. In my eyes team has got to the tipping point, we can either add a couple pieces and keep pushing forward or we can hope we magically draft all the right pieces watch them grow and have a butterfly appear.
As of today the core of the lineup is made up of:
Ladd 4th overall pick in his prime.
Wheeler 5th overall pick in his prime.
Little 12th overall pick in his prime.
Kane 4th overall pick on the edge of entering into his prime.
Scheifele 7th overall pick still on ELC and developing into a really nice player.
Frolik 10th overall pick in his prime.
Bogosian 3rd overall on the edge of his prime.
Trouba 9th overall still on ELC, but future Norris potential.
You also have a handful of home run later picks in Enstrom, Buff and Perrault all in their prime.
Great goalie prospects, one of which is leading the league in save %.
Three blue chip prospects in Ehlers, Morrissey and Petan waiting in the wings.
I don't get way people think if we start throwing away these pieces they will be magically replaced by players we will pick from the mid range in future drafts.
IMO it took awhile for this team to grow into a team capable of competing for a playoff spot and maybe all it took was a better coach. But why wouldn't we prefer to build on what we already have and start filling the gaps we do have. 2nd pairing LHD, 2 depth forwards to balance out the roster and allow us to run 4 lines. We do have $11 M in cap space and are well positioned to take on valuable players that the very top teams might want/need to move to prepare for their own cup runs.