I think this might actually be the plan. Keep the team afloat as best as possible while the old core is still here, while simultaneously amassing as much draft capital and young players as possible by doing Hayes/Glass like deals, in stead of selling of everyone in one go. That way, when the time comes and they tank completely, they can get some high end prospects with top five picks, but still have a plethora of young players that have been in the system for a while to fill out the rest of the roster. By doing so they can avoid the scortched earth, burn it to the ground type of rebuild, and keep the room happy while Sid and Geno are still here.
That is absoluely 100% the plan. Dubas has said as much, as has Sullivan. Dubas's actions are 100% on this path as well.
I'd love to see one last gasp of Penguin playoff hockey with Sid but I also understand that's a longshot and the prospect of McKenna is tantalizing. Obviously that's pure fantasy but I think it's my subconscious acknowledging the fact that you have to get lucky with generational talents to build around. They don't come around often so you have to suck at the right time. Otherwise, you need A LOT of high picks. If they could really suck at the right time, that gives us the best chance to not spend an indeterminable amount of time in purgatory. And that's something I don't think a lot of people here understand. It's not as simple has "Sid, Geno out, we suck, we get 1OV, we get another Sid, we're back to contending for Cups". Outside of Edmonton and Toronto getting McDavid and Matthews, respectively, that has not been the case since Sid. And with that, each of those teams spent several years prior collecting high picks (RNH, Hall, Draisaitl) & (Nylander, Marner, Reilly).
Looking back at what Dubas was talking about, I think he wants the Rangers model of "you still have a core and decent players and you add a top shelf piece that puts you back in contention at the end of the core's career". Tanking for McKenna would be right in line with that. Not sure that gets done with the current roster but maybe you help force it a bit by trading Petts this year for 1st or 2 2nd, trading Rust or Rakell, and sending Letang (somehow) to Montreal. You still have a decent top 6 and EK as your #1. You then just fill the roster with existing guys. If you're lucky enough to get McKenna, you can add him right at the end and it's still in line with current timelines. You add a #1 center while you have a #1 wing at 24, one/two #1G's at 24, and a good supporting cast in their early 20's.
Also wonder what the plan for Blomqvist is. At some point this year one of Ned or Jarry gotta go to make room for him. Especially since we probably don’t want Murashov playing in the ECHL all too long.
Goalies are so fickle and needs arise throughout the year. Murashov signing over here certainly complicates things but part of me wonders if he won't be loaned out to a European league after camp.
Pettersson doesn't have the value that makes him worth trading until the last minute. He'll bring back 2 2nds right now and he'll bring back 2 2nds at 2:00 PM on deadline day.
Assuming his play is the same this year as last and we are willing to retain up to 50%, I can see a team wanting to get a deal done early. Could be a simple one like Petts @50% for 1st. Or they could work a few other things into like: Petts+Eller/Acciari/etc @ 50% for 2 2nds + Good Prospect.