To you 4 points
-Not about a hump. It's about the playoffs. While I most almost agree that building through the draft is the best approach, too many missed years will take it's toll. Last thing we want is Drai and McD to go through what Hall/RNH did
-Agree, we don't have an established 3 C. But Marody is that guy imo. He had a wonderful season and has little more to learn in the AHL
-Expansion means absolutely nothing imo. Fans go back and forth over the logic of this to death, but GM's have already admitted it has little to do w/ their yearly plans. Sacrificing a year of playoffs for 2 years down the road is pointless imo. I can't stress enough how much fans mauled over this last time w/ their theories and logic yet no GM's really cared. Only a couple GM's got caught w/ their pants down like ANA. A good GM should be able to set himself for minimal damage next year
-Agree on that, but hopefully a good GM can make some nice moves. You don't need an allstar roster as last years Vegas and this years Car and NYI are showing us. A good dump could give us enough players to compete, a new coach can do wonders
I'll add, good drafting in the latter rounds will be key
I just think we have fundamentally different approaches/values. I'm just not into mortgaging the future unless I'm pushing for the stanley cup. I'd rather build a team that can sustain long-term success, such as the Caps, Penguins, Lightning, and Predators who are a shoe-in to make the playoffs every year. Yeah, I'm aware they were all bounced in the first round this year but that's beside the point.
McLeod has the makings of a potential 3C for us. Great skater, vision, 2-way ability, and has size. I think he's NHL bound after a year in Bakersfield.
We have a decent stable of wingers in Benson, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, Maksimov, and Marody (is he a C in the NHL? Idk). I doubt they have much impact next year, but I think we see a couple step up in 2020/21.
Bouchard looks like a gem, but I'd prefer he spend a year in the AHL. When he hits his stride in the NHL he'll have a major impact. I'd give it a couple years until that happens though.
We have Benning, Gagner, Kassian, Brodziak, and Manning coming off the books at the end of next season. That's a decent amount of cap opening up, and we have internal pieces to replace them. Not to mention, Sekera & Russell become very tradeable because they will have one year remaining on their contracts.
A little patience goes a long way. I don't think we can do much next season, but I think we have a lot of potential in 2020/21. The player drafted at #8 overall may be able to play in that season.