LeBrun also said he heard Winnipeg expressed in interest in Martin Erat but that Erat said he wasn't interested in coming to Winnipeg.
Like it or not that comes into play for Winnipeg.
I don't doubt we have a plan for FA which I believe would be to get better support players at the bottom of the lineup. Honestly we should be able to improve there almost without trying. But let's try. It looks like the prospects than can fill those spots won't be ready for a year plus. So we do need to do something to better the bottom 6 for next season .
I hope we trade as many ufa's as we can . Perhaps only keep Jokinen if we get the contract we like and Jokinen wants to be here. I would like to think Hainsey didn't go last year for the same reason he signed so late this year. I would not like to see us hang on to Seto , Stuart , Thorburn or Jokinen and get nothing . It isn't tanking , not at all , but we need assets in return.
We have always heard to be fair , that drafting and developing was the key. We hear it every time , unwavering , clear. We hear it now ,like most this is the key for this franchise , just more so here than most. It looks like we could have a very lucrative draft from last year , , good drafting? I sure hope so , I think so. We also had a lot of extra picks which allowed us to get Frolik and more draft picks. Like Chevy likes to always say "assets".
Those expiring players have to be turned into assets imo , hopefully the tight races will make it a seller's market. Not that anyone wishes for injuries , that is coming into lay now and could for the trade deadline. At least two have to be moved , at the least.
I think we see both a new coach and a major trade in the off season . It has to be a trade Chevy feels we win though , and that won't be at the deadline I don't believe . For me Scheifele , Kane and Trouba are virtually unavailable. Anyone else I would not say no , providing it is the right deal of course.