They’ve talked about wanting bigger wingers but Jiricek’s also like exactly what Fitz and NHL teams in general covet. I think they very likely go Slaf with an outside shot at Jiricek. Those are likely the only 2 options. I think had Jiricek been able to play all year and showcase himself it wouldn’t even be much of a discussion. Hopefully a great WC sways them his way.
Graves is nothing more than a stopgap and he’s only a #4. Ty’s also a massive question mark after just how god awful he was. Mukhamadullin’s also a massive question mark and I’ve never thought highly of him. Sevo walks next year and there’s going to be gaping hole in that top 4 beyond Luke, Dougie, and Siegenthaler
I think you might be underrating Slaf by ALOT. He's got an absolutely huge ceiling. And Jiricek is a bit of a project. I love his potential, but Nemec seems the safer option. I do think both will end up franchise Dmen though. But Slaf is, well, I prefer him to Kakko frankly, as a Ranger fan. And the hype around Kakko was nuts the year he was drafted. I honestly do not see a ton of risk with Slaf. I think his floor is actually pretty high. There aren't many players that I'd be more comfortable saying they are a shoe in for a top 6 future.
Eh. "Massive question marks" or not, they still actually have 5 really young relatively high ceiling, or at least top 4 potential defenders. I forgot about Bahl and Walsh. They are so overloaded with young D there just isn't really a ton of room to add another one over adding a guy who's a perfect fit for a position they actually have. A guy in Slaf who arguably has a higher ceiling than any of their current wingers, even Holtz and who's floor, I think, is pretty safe. And I don't think Jiricek is any less a question mark frankly, or less of a project at least. Hughes is their prize, no doubt. But Mukham has all the tools and traits you want. Smith, he's not quite what they hoped for. But that doesn't mean he's a bust I don't think. Even if he ends up a 3rd pair, PP specialist, that's likely still 4 future D spots locked up, with Hughes, Hamilton, Mukham and Smith. So Graves, Severson and even Siegenthaler etc.... they are stopgaps, depth, maybe future 3rd pair guys. And they are going to have to give Hughes and Mukham real opportunity within the next few years. And there's only 6 active D spots. And Bahl has the potential to be a great partner for an offensively minded guy. And then Walsh, I'm not even sure they have enough room for the guys they currently have on D, without adding another.