Yeah, it's a much-needed addition. I hope Pouliot is running the show now. Brad Malone might have the potential to be a long-time successful coach for the Gens, has experience playing for guys like Patrick Roy and Rod Brind'Amour, and they were in a tough spot when Laxdal left. Malone would simply get bullied by the Hunters at this point in his career if they could even make the finals.
I've always thought maybe they shouldn't have gone for it this season. No coach. Ritchie, Sennecke and Danford haven't taken big leaps from where they were at the end of the year. Griffin stepped up. Sinivuori has somewhat replaced Kumpulainen, but Kumpulainen is a better player. And only using 1/2 import spots when going for it is tough. Unfortunate that Roobroeck didn't come back, and he wasn't replaced. Lockhart hasn't been replaced. Tried to replace Punnet with Gibson, but Gibson is not as good, Punnet might've been their best player last year. And the big get, Barlow, hasn't been as good. Getting 0/3 of Laxdal, Roobroeck or Kumpulainen to return should've been their sign not to go for it. Instead, sell Ritchie, Marelli and Oster. Target 2-year players and build around Danford and Sennecke, who is absolutely going to torch the OHL at 19/20. You would have all the picks traded for Gibson and Barlow plus Brady Martain, Deslie and Bedkowski. Plus everything acquired for Ritchie, Marelli and Oster. Then you could target guys like Carter George, Ivankovic, Misa, Martone, Schaefer, Beaudoin and more.
If this was the team:
Kumpulainen-Roobroeck-Sennecke
Barlow-Ritchie-Powell
Torrance-Sinivouri-Buckley
Toms-Griffin-Rogowski
Same D core and goalies, ran by Laxdal - Except Griffin may waive his no move if this is the team, and you could upgrade D.
Then you go for it.