My thoughts:
I understand that our D needs help, especially if Tanev doesn't want to stay. We will have just 3 NHL D men signed. We can insert LiamB for a 4th, but still need 2 more, presuming Jani, Suter, and Nils are out. If the Suter buyout is true, I believe it's because he won't have Pavs in his corner if he retires. Given the lack of D, I think he stays for the last year of his contract as 3rd pair and pressbox material. We will probably lead the NHL in that category, if Nils fills the same role.
As a result, some of the calls to upgrade the bottom six or get one impact player at FW don't seem realistic, or at least worth the value in cap $ or assets to obtain. Yes, the playoffs are disappointing, but only one team wins each year, and in reality, we have had the most playoff success of most teams, albeit, ones that fell just short. As a kid in Chicago, the 1970s Bulls were winning 50 games a year but always fell short because MILW had Jabbar and won 60 a year. No playoffs or trophies until they got Jordan, which MIGHT support the idea of a superstar vs several stars and "score by committee" although I think Nill did a great job in assembling the committee.
I guess we probably could trade Radek, but it will be more likely at the TDL.
I fear it will be a mental letdown next year and we will scrape into the playoffs and go out in round 1 or 2 at best. Building on one year's disappointment is one thing, that story won't sell this year. We got close and didn't make it, with retirements some rebuilding on the fly is necessary, and with 3 virtual rookies in the lineup (Stank, Mavs, Liam) they will downplay expectations. It seems like the natural course of events to me - out with the old, in with the younger guys. But, I doubt we will play more than 3 rookies, and don't know we have any left qualified to bring up. We have 3 picks and need to rebuild our pool, so we may try to acquire more picks, maybe getting a 3rd to 5th for Nils or something.
Just my HMO.