Before that can be answered, we have to know what the division will be next year, and who will be taken in the Seattle ED.
- I am not sure that Danault is the answer for this team...I am so done with giving big contracts to guys heading into their 30's unless they are special. If we can get him at a reasonable amount, then fine. We have already got a terrific shutdown C in JEE, so is Danault what we want? Hindsight is always 20/20, but Trochek would've been a low cost, realistic acquisition for us as a more offensive C that you can have as your top offensive C till Rossi
is ready.
- It's best not to count on Rossi having anything but a "get acquainted with the NHL" season. Expecting him to be a top 6 C right away is really optimistic.
- Boldy, too, though he is a year ahead in development. I can see him being a useful top 9 guy next year, and maybe a complimentary top 6'er. Maybe he can be part of the solution on the PP, making taking FO's?
- The PP must improve. Team is going nowhere without at least a league average PP, which we used to have under BB.
I think we will be a team capable of winning a playoff series, maybe two, partly because the West is in transition. CA teams are bad, VAN has stumbled, CO continues to be less than the sum of their parts, STL has deconstructed themselves. EDM is EDM, CAL is aging ungracefully, WPG is talented but flawed.