My offseason plan is basically:
Trade Saros. He isn't doing great. Yes that may be a system and defense issue but that isn't getting fixed overnight so get out of the contract before things get worse.
Hire vet goalie on short term contract. Don't matter who.
Poke around for a legit young 2C trade. If that fails, poke around the more questionable players like Norris. He is a good player but gets broken often.
If we get someone, trade RoR in the offseason. If we don't get someone, trade RoR at the deadline.
Try to get a vet RHD that isnt buns or a vet LHD like Gavrikov that might mesh well with Josi being a RHD/W.
Start of season see what the market is for Sissons, McCarron, Smith, Blankenburg, and any other UFA to be. If there is value there to do a trade now, pull the trigger. If not, wait for the deadline and get what you can.
Fire the coach
Spread the remaining veteran leadership around the lineup and focus on getting development opportunities for the young players like Evangelista, Svechkov, L’Heureux, Wood, Kemell, etc. Yes, they might not turn out to be top 6 quality BUT jamming them into the bottom 6 together with grinders isn't going to turn them into top 6 players. So give em the opportunity and see what happens.
Draft top 5 next season as well barring a complete miracle.
My 5 step plan for next year two years
Trade Saros before the contract extension kicks in.
Anaheim, Philly, Edmonton, Detroit all would be good options here. You won't get the value you would've last year but you can get something. More importantly, you get out of that contract.
You trade ROR to whatever team gives you the most
I don't care if he goes back to Buffalo and is depressed the rest of his career if they offered Benson. Whoever offers the best package, it's a business. Get an agent that can negotiate a better contract.
Tell the vets the plan and ask if they want to be part of it.
Our target date to compete again is 2027. If you don't want to see yourself in the bottom of the standings for the next three years, please waive your movement clause now or be prepared to next year at the trade deadline.
Stop the bleeding on the right side with Savard, Ekblad or Petry
Even though the our competitive window is slammed close, we can't get shelled every night.
Fire Brunnette
Don't think I need to expand on this one. Hire someone who plays the kids and will develop them.
Feel like telling the vets that we have that we are going to suck and take a trade now if they want out runs counter to the idea of getting ekblad. Savard or Petry might take something. Money does talk though. I just think this season is going to impact our ability to get players this offseason.
We don't need to stop the bleeding on the right side and we really don't have any near term prospects that can do it (or long term either... the right side is really weak).
