If Kingston is truly on a quest for a championship, then Hopkins has to be on the table. I think Hopkins has more value than any of the ‘08s potentially available (Challenger, Blonda, O’Donnell, Smith, and Zhilkin).
The SSM example is actually pretty good. I think Hopkins+Heyes+Velliaris +2nd+3rd could get Allard and Gibson. That still leaves Kingston with more than enough to add two more bodies.
Miedema - Guindon - TRADE (McCue)
Battaglia - Allard - Soto
Pickle - McNamarra - Uronen
Pie - Gibson
Burns - Williamson
McGowan - Uens
If they only use draft picks, they cannot get there IMO. That is a really good top 6 up front and a really good top 5 on the back end. They’d still have some assets to add some depth if they really wanted to. Battaglia would need to go next year in the rebuild.
I am not saying they have to do this but if they truly feel they have a shot and they are confident with the the right moves, I really think this is the path.