We don't always agree on the journey but I'm with you here. I think the goal should be 30 wins. There's a very good chance we don't hit it, but the goal this summer and in September and hopefully even in March should be 30 wins. That still puts us in the conversation for bottom 5 and a decent shot at some lottery luck, like this year's Ducks.
I think that's a realistic goal. That said, a lot can change in an active summer. Draft Schaefer. Add two top pairing NHL D. Sign a few quality middle six wingers, and you can strike gold, and improve a ton.
I mean, its reasonable to hope for point per game from Smith and Celebrini next year. They've been at that pace for two+months now. If they get two top 4 D this summer, one by trade, one by UFA, they should have an NHL quality D corps.
And they have ample cap space to add the key pieces on the wing too.
1. Trade Eklund+ for Byram, then extend 8 x 8m.
2. Sign Provorov 7x8m per.
3. Sign Bennett 7x7m per.
4. sign patrick Kane 1 x 5m.
5. Sign Jake Allen 2yrs, 6M, 3m AAV
5. Extend Mukh 2 yrs, 3M (1.5AAV)
6. Extend Kovalenko 1 yr, 1.5M
What do you think the following roster would end up with:
Celebrini-Toffoli-Kovalenko
Sam Bennett-P Kane- Will Smith
Wennberg-Graf- top rookie Wing (Best of Lund/Musty/Cherny/Haltunnen)
Ostapchuk-Grundstrom-Giles
note: Bennett can become 3rd line C after Wennberg leaves if Smith goes back to C in the future. Celly-Smith-Bennett is a great C lineup, or he can stay 2C if smith stays a wing or Osta[pchuk shows he ready for top 9 duty). Also rookie Wing not expected to fill a top 6 spot.
Byram-Ferraro/Liljgren
Provorov - Mukhamadullin
Ferraro/Liljgren-Dickinson
Desharnais (Thrun is also extra).
Note: Schaefer, given his youth and injury, likely needs one more year in OHL before joining the sharks. he replaces Ferraro or Liljgren in '26. And Dick starts with 10-12 3rd pair sheltered mins, but when ready, his ice can rise. Dick not expected to fill a top 4 role yet.
Askarov - Allen (2 x 3M)
Added cap (8 Byram+8 Provorov+7 bennett+5 kane+3 Allen+1.5 Mukh+1.5 Kovy) = Approx +34M on the cap, which leaves them with approx 19-10M under the cap.
I think that roster has massive improvement possible. Playoffs is a stretch, but that roster is not dead last. it also gives good flexibility going forward since kane, Wennberg, Dyll, Grund, Ferraro, Liljgren, Desharnais, Kovy, and Thrun would all be RFA/UFA's good for renting out at the deadline.
The only foundational forward piece added would be bennett, who I feel comfy committing good money too. Byram and Provorov would be the two long term D commitments and I feel comfy with that too. At some point, Grier has to commit some term. Even with those three added for 23M combined, they'd still have 50+M in cap space in '26-27 with Smith, Celly, Toffoli, Bennett, Graf, Provorov, Byram, Mukh, Dickinson, Askarov, and Allen signed along with any Rookie W who makes the team. Then, in '26, add in schaefer and you still have 50M to add another top 4D and a couple top 6 Wings, while still having space to resign Will and Mack in '27.