They’re obviously in a very different place (mentally) compared to teams like the Leafs or Edmonton, who haven’t won a cup. They’re basically going for it (the next couple of years), rewarding some of the players who got them there, before the hurt comes. Not even trying to be too careful. Likely thinking, if they can win just 1 more, it’s all worth it. And it would be…
By signing these deals they have, it’s gonna hurt trying to make moves in 2-3 years. Trying to replace Bennett, Ekblad and Bob won’t be easy after this season and next. It’s already not the easiest of things. It likely means the end to Sam Bennett in Florida as well. You have to think they tried getting him done before giving this deal, but you never know. Maybe they’re thinking Lundell will be able to fill more of that role.
Their big issue is going to be dmen, and then a goalie to replace Bob, if this run extends any more than this year. They’re officially in the “patchwork discounted veterans mode”, until further notice. Using trade deadlines and UFAs chasing Cups, to stay in contention after this year.
Ekblad, even on a discounted deal, is getting term next summer. He’s still underrated after all these years, but if he leaves next summer, along with Bennett, those are two huge holes to fill, and if they sign him, when does his drop start? Some think it already has started.
They’re also gonna have to hit on 2-3 projects like Boqvist too.
One thing they should be all over immediately, if they don’t think Spencer Knight is ready to take that net as early as next season, is to go get one of the high end goalie prospects, who’s about to hit the league. If they can do that, it’ll save them major dollars, and hopefully in a year or two, when Bob retires, that kid can step in and give them high-end goaltending. Whether that’s a Fowler, Augustine, or whoever. That’s who they should actively be targeting, because with how the D-Core is going to turnover each year, if they’re not stable in net, they’re in big trouble. That’s why it’s so important to find that goalie now. Maybe it is Knight, but last season in the AHL, he wasn’t back to form, to say the least.
That and they’re gonna need to do something similar on the back end. Teams just don’t trade young dmen though. So that’s gonna be a lot harder of a task.
In fact, you’d almost not blame them, if they tried moving Bennett this season, to a team he’ll extend with, where they land a couple of almost ready D prospects. At least one, and other value, they could flip for another younger blue liner. It would be smart because the chances of grabbing a couple of dmen in other ways, is almost impossible.
They’re gonna be good again this year. They’ll have to patchwork the blue line, but they’ll be ready to defend. It’s the following year that’s gonna be the big deal.
