Speculation: Most beneficial for this team vs your preference: Run for a WC spot, or a high pick?

[HabsCowboysOwn]

Without Guhle I think they will struggle, a bottom 10 finish is still a very real possibility. I just hope guys like Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Hutson can keep producing and finish the year strong.

 

[kris]

I think they're cooked for a playoff spot this season. Last 10 games have reverted back to the start of the season (bottom of the league defensive metrics) and they lose Guhle for the season. Dont see how they can make it at this point. Flip Savard, Dvorak, Armia, etc for some assets and try to get into the top 10 of the draft. They'll still play exciting games but their play style isn't sustainable to winning right now

 

[DAChampion]

Draft pick 2024 for EP doesnt make sense since 2024 draft is already done.

After some other efforts, I realized DeepSeek 's analysis of hockey seems to be based in the summer of 2024, maybe the end of the 2024 season.

 

[HabSgt]

Trade UFAs at deadline, sign RFAs, collect picks & prospects for future.

If they finish out of Playoffs (again sigh) but are better points wise (my preseason prediction was 85) & pick 10th then that is good to me.

Next season we should be looking at making the Playoffs.

 

[LaP]

I think they're cooked for a playoff spot this season. Last 10 games have reverted back to the start of the season (bottom of the league defensive metrics) and they lose Guhle for the season. Dont see how they can make it at this point. Flip Savard, Dvorak, Armia, etc for some assets and try to get into the top 10 of the draft. They'll still play exciting games but their play style isn't sustainable to winning right now

I'd flip Evans too if his value is crazy high. Like the player but i really don't think we need to give him the 4-5 years he'll likely want. We need a 2nd line center and Evans is not one. And we have kids who project to be 3rd line center but there might be more there than we think but we'll have to try them to know. Will take them 200 games of exp at least to become as good as Evans but the eariler we know what we have the better.

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach - Demidov
Heineman - ? - Newhook
Anderson - Kapanen - Gallagher

I'd sign or acquire an old vet 3rd line center on a 1 year contract. Someome like Eller to give Dach one last year to prove himself. If it doesn't work then the next year i'd try to find a 2nd line center on a 2 years contract and try to trade Gallagher or Anderson (1 year left at the point) with retention to make room for Beck on the wing for a year or two.

We need to show the kids if we want them to have good trade value. Nobody will give you anything for a 2nd round pick dominating the AHL. Gotta show them at one point.