I don't get the as-is comments. Half the roster is U25, many key players are still developing, top-end rookies are being added. How can this roster remain as-is?
Every other bottom feeder can make that same argument. Columbus will be looking at their young guys to take that step forward, so will Chicago, so will San Jose, so will Philadelphia with Michkov coming over, so will Utah with their guys + adding Sergachev, so will New Jersey...
I'm expecting personal progression from our young guys as well and I hope I'm wrong, I hope it's enough to get us competing late into the year but this is the offseason where every fanbase is right to be hopeful until they're not anymore when the games start.
Based on late-season reporting (+ acknowledged once more by Basu on the podcast he did with Godin that was shared here) my biggest worry is discontent/jadedness from young veterans like Suzuki and Caufield. The one thing I really don't want is these guys coming to the rink in that state of mind because it's year 4 of a ton of losses and their GM got them no help.