You can't help but be impressed with what Hamilton is doing. They have refilled the draft cupboard while moving along their rebuild very nicely and quickly. Ottawa and London also seem to do this well, and also acquire the right pieces without giving up a lot of assets when they do go for it. Windsor might be another example of good drafting and asset management.
I think it may have been an article in the Record that had suggested that Kitchener, having emptied the cupboard, could do as Hamilton has done restocking theirs. I still believe that thinking is apples-oranges. Hamilton had a lot more available returning talent to trade this season....and now, the assets they had received, seem to already be paying dividends.
In a previous post I had roughly indicated of what we have returning next year - as we know today. While I would personally say it looks pretty bleak, I'm sure MM could, and perhaps will add to the line-up an experienced body or two....but that would come at a cost, meaning removing assets from the cupboard. Maybe some of the returnees will surprise. I admit Sop is one example who has completely surprised me this year. Good for him. To repeat my opinion on him from a previous post, if he returns as an OA and doesn't get traded, he will be one of our key players on this team next season.