Yep, go after Kovalchuk in FA or Gusev if possible. Add in Borgstrom and let Mascherin & Tippett compete for roles, we are not in a rush to add them and how great is that. Depth is starting to add up eventually.
Kovalchuk/Gusev-Barkov-Dadonov
Huberdeau-Trocheck-Malgin
Borgstrom-McCann-Mamin
Haley/McGinn-x-Sceviour
+Bjugstad, MacKenzie
For next season do not go after D. Just look at this UFA list, there is really no one I'd like to have
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/freeagents.php?team=all&type=UFA&year=2018&pos=D
So if you think the team needs a D you acquire one via trade for next season and I'd rather wait for the TDL to see how the young defensemen improve and see what we have in our prospects before making any moves.
The UFA for summer '19 is good to make some noise if required
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/freeagents.php?team=all&type=UFA&year=2019&pos=D
This is the blueprint I'm rooting for.
If we don't get Kovy/Gusev maybe Borgstrom can fill in the first and we can get help directly from Mascherin/Tippett to compensate. Or perhaps the beast will be on a roll for the rest of the season and we don't need to change anything, just get Borgsrom.
We have absolutely no reason to buy high on someone like Pac when he could be signed in the summer '19 as well for free.