I think we are legitimately able to compete for a playoff spot this season now.. it would depend on factors like Dach staying healthy and leveling up, Newhook staying healthy and leveling up, Caufield shooting percentage regressing to his mean, and someone like Hutson or Reinbacher developing into a legit top 4 defenseman for this season.. and obviously Laine finding his form somewhat and Slaf developing further.
I still don't think we make it this year, not quite ready to dethrone a Boston or a Tampa Bay.. but another year of attrition through aging and players for those teams, the addition of Demidov, more experience and levelling up of our young players, we should be firmly in the playoffs next year.