I think that’s a good model for success. You get a couple elite franchise players like Sid & Geno, keep them for 12-15 years of their prime, then just land a Guentzel or Rust every 5-10 years in the 2nd or later, and an occasional Kuhnhackl and Blueger so you don’t have to overpay for role players in free agency or trades.
Once you land those star players you just need to periodically supplement the rest of your lineup.
Based on Ilyin’s clips he doesn’t look like dominant or some elite talent or anything, just pretty skilled and good all-around. Seems to use his linemates well and when they find him he finishes. In the longer clips of his goals it’s not just him cashing in on someone else’s work, he’s involved in the play that leads up to the chance too. So, hard to judge his upside and I’d still be cautious but it’s pretty rare to produce that much at that age. Simashev and But, both 1st round picks, were even briefly sent down to the MHL this season. And that’s not really unexpected, it’s a good league and the teams are under no obligation to develop NHL prospects just for them to jump ship.
