I mean for the players to grow to the point where they can drive a line or become impact players. White had a decent year. I think he missed Stone.. I mean who wouldn't . He definitely took a step and needs to take another one before we can say ok..White you are centering our 2nd line for example and you will be expected to drive that line and possibly mentor another young player breaking in. He isn't there yet ., hopefully he gets there by the end of next season .. So 2 years .. I would expect it to take Brown and Batherson two years from now to get there.. Again if White got to play with Mark Stone all this year and into next year that time may be shortened ..He may not ever get to where he could have , with a player like Mark Stone to mentor him. They need to be able to match up well against other NHL teams and win their match-ups or drive and produce offence like their piers in the NHL at that same slot. That won't be 1 year away for most.
Ok, so go to the puck drop of the 2020 season.
White is a 4th year pro. He can either drive a 2nd line or more or he can't
Batherson and Brown are 3rd year pros. If they are going to be bonafide top 6 NHL players, they will be by that season.
Balcers will be a 4th year pro
Chaplik will be a 4th year pro
Add one year for all of them plus draft.
Tkachuk will be a 3rd year pro.
Will Duclair figure it out?
Chabot in his prime. Wolanin in his prime. Brannstrom a 3rd year pro.
I think it will become easier to surround young kids with "good pro" vets. The money is increasingly shifting to locking up young, coming off ELC stars. That means less money, less term, more availability of UFA vets.