Bunting and Kase aren't throwing open ice hits, but they both play with intensity and grit. Please tell me where any GM can just go out and get a power forward for 1M that scores 20 goals. They don't exist unless you draft them, and that is still a very rare player in the league. Bunting was an absolute steal that apparently 31 other GM's weren't willing to gamble on for just over league minimum.
Well not a power forward that scores 20 goals, but guys that can lay the body and play in the bottom 6. Crouse, Anderson, Clutterbuck are all guys I'd be looking at. Andersons contract is ugly but with retention it can work, assuming we have what Montreal wants. Physicality is a huge part of playoff success. We were the more skilled team in each of the last 5 series, but physically got bullied around the ice. That needs to change. Kampf/Kase/Bunting have been great for us. Kerfoot has stepped it up for us this year too, but again the size/grit still isn't there. I'd like to replace Engvall with a big body. He's been decent but is the odd man out for me.
Ideally I'd want one of Manson/Schenn on D. I like Lily but I really don't think he's playoff ready, and depending on the match up we will probably need more size back there. Our only 2 physical players are Muzzin and sometimes Holl. That's not nearly enough. Simmonds is a shell of his former self, but he still fights and plays with a bit of an edge. Adding another 2 guys 6ft + 200lbs + would change the outlook of this team.