Kopitar for 4 years is not bad from 33-36. Not ideal but 4 years is a decent amount of time and he still skates very well and can put up 60-80 pts in that range. I get what you are saying but I don't think we have a 30 and under plan for sure. And remember, this is all about trying to find a physical center to play with Lafreniere if we get him. Of course I would like Eichel but that's not on the table at all. Getzlaf could be acquired for cheaper (if the Ducks and Getzlaf wanted to part ways) and you could sign him for a 1 year extension.
This is all about Lafreniere and trying to be a better balanced team while we still have our vets performing. Suzuki and Kotkaniemi are not ready to play 1C. If you wait for them to be a 1C and you tolerate learning on the job, you will have 2 more years or more of wasted years on Price, Weber, Gallagher, Petry, Tatar.
Are you open to using the 21 and 22 1st round picks?
Honestly (and I hate to say it), Danault is a pretty good center for Lafreniere (until KK/Suzuki matures up). Lafreniere is a good replacement for Tatar. Trade Tatar immediately for another big asset on D and we are a playoff team.
Lafreniere - Danault - Gallagher
Drouin - Suzuki - Armia
Domi - KK - Ylonen
Byron - Poehling - Lekhonen
X - Weber
Romanov - Petry
Mete - Chiarot
Price
Primeau
If it's not obvious to anyone, our big weakness will be the RW for a while if we are fortunate enough to get Lafreniere. Armia is a bottom 6 player...Ylonen ain't ready, Lekhonen meh, Caufield need more time. So maybe you trade Domi or Drouin for a RW of the same age/potential (wondering if that's not Domi for Nylander).
Lafreniere - Suzuki - Nylander
Drouin - Danault - Gallagher
Ylonen - KK - Armia
Byron - Poehling - Lekhonen
Evolving into
Lafreniere - Suzuki - Nylander
Drouin - KK - Caufield
Ylonen - Danault - Gallagher
Byron - Poehling - Lekhonen