We dont need to burn assets to address our offence. So trading for Höglander or something similar? I dont see it. We need health and maybe some veteran UFA guy next summer like Nyquist or Palmieri to bring some depth for the time being, and our offence is set for next year.
Example of our TOP9 lines
Voronkov - Monahan - Marchenko
KJ - Fantilli - Chinakhov
Jenner - Sillinger - (Nyquist/Palmieri)
Waddell can then use the assets that we have to upgrade our defence and goaltending. If he is able to do that, we are well set to compete for playoffs spot next year.
On Höglander, he wouldn't cost us anything. He's having a brutal year and his contract extension is $3m x 3 starting next year. The Canucks might even pay us to take him. I'm not sure if I would take him, there is risk with his injury history that he's not going to last.
On the question of spending assets, we have an overflowing treasure trove of prospects, a lot of B level guys that we won't have ice time for. I wouldn't mind trading one or two to get veterans who can better support the young guys we have in the NHL lineup right now. I don't like the situation we are putting KJ and Fantilli in.
I don't understand the preoccupation with tinkering with the offense. We lose games because we can't keep the puck out of the back of our net.
Our goals against is from the way our whole team plays, it's not individual D-men. Now if we made a huge defensive upgrade with a Pelech / McDonagh type, that would be different, but that's a very expensive proposition. I'd be very excited for that sort of move but I doubt it's something Wads can pull off in the short run.
By comparison, one or two good veterans could inexpensively fix our bottom 9 scoring problem. And that would potentially help our goals against if that group spends more time in the offensive zone.