Haha - talk about the "damned if do, damned if you don't" scenario ....
Everyone here is screaming to "play the kids", and when we make moves that will give lots of ice time to kids who are just now starting to be ready, then they're stupid for not making big moves that would take that ice time away
We have Kessel, JVR, Nylander, and Kadri as young (yes, I did just call Kessel young - deal with it
) high-end talent up front. Guys like Holland, Leivo, Brown, Gauthier, Johnsson, Biggs, etc will challenge for spots in the top 9 over the next year or two.
We have Reilly & Gardiner as high end talent on the back end, with guys like Finn, Percy, Granberg, MacWilliams, Nillson, and Loov to battle for playing time over the next year or two. These guys are supported by Dion, who - like him or hate him - IS a bonafide top pairing D man.
Bernier is manning the nets, and while it would be nice to have more depth behind him.
Overall, there is some solid young talent to build around. If Nylander can eventually take the #1C spot, we're golden. In the meantime, however, Management is ensuring that we suround that talent with veterans who can insulate them when required, provide guidance, and buy time not to rush any kid into a spot they're not ready for.
There is the plan - now will it work? That's the $1million question, but only time will tell. Don't like the plan because we didn't tank? Well ... too bad, as there's nothing you can do about that is cry in your cheerios