I don't know I'm still bracing myself for a potential playoff bubble finish. And trust me I don't want it. We have insane luck with goalies for the last 30 years or so. Allen can overachieve. Wingers suck on the whole but if CC, Suzuki and Dach have breakout years it could change things. Slaf may start in the AHL but could come in the 2nd half and be a pretty big plus/minus. Monahan don't look washed up so that's a thing too.
I think the D on the whole might be our saving grace for a top 5 but if Matheson is an upgrade on Petry and Guhle and X don't take as long as we think/hope it could shore up our D a little 'too well'. Throw in a motivated young coach who now has an offseason to prepare as well.
That's a lot of 'ifs' I know but there's a lot of young talent that can surprise and spear head us out of a lotto pick. EVERYTHING would pretty much have to go right/wrong but I think it's a possibility that's not as far fetched as many think.
@DramaticGloveSave is being quite bold here but I wouldn't laugh him off