Agreed which is why I would make the necessary changes this summer even if it means a full transition year where they don't go all in to try and win.
I truly believe if the organization told fans "we realize we need to take a step back and re-tool to go forward and be a real contender for the next 5-7 years" that fans would embrace it and the business would be more successful in the long run. Enough with the quick fixes and hoping Sid and Geno can mask the team's faults.
Take a shot at Panarin. He's cheap and skilled. Low risk high reward.
Re-sign Comeau if he's cheap.
Give Sundqvist and one of Rust, Wilson a full time spot.
Trade Kunitz, trade or dump Scuds, Trade Sutter and Bennett (Bennett trade is inevitable in my mind).
Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist
Panarin-Malkin-Winger Trade for Sutter, Bennett
Wilson-Sundqvist-Comeau
Spaling-Lapierre-Bernier/Rust/Farnham/whoever
Maatta-Letang
Dumoulin-Cole
Pouliot-Lovejoy
Chorney
That lineup may be better than this year, it may be worse. But it would preserve cap space for the future and fully allow our youth on D to develop. Sign another Chorney type or 2 in the minors that can be called up in the even of injuries. If they lose, they lose but it would be a step in the right direction for this team.
First, I think the quickest way to lose Crosby and Malkin is to say that the team is not going to compete. It's not acceptable.
Second, what are you preserving cap space for? It's one thing to have a long-term plan (Buffalo); it's unacceptable to not have any solution and just hope that something turns up (Toronto).
I don't see specifics of what the Pens are waiting for
There is no salvation coming in the prospect ranks on offense.
Third, do you have specifics on trading Sutter and Bennett for an NHL ready top 6 winger?
Even worse, I think your line up risks damaging the prospects that the Pens actually have. It also leaves the Pens with a far worse line up than this year as the defense is bad and the bottom 6 is worse. That puts even more pressure on Crosby and Malkin with even less secondary scoring to help them.
Also being realistic, as the bottom 6 fails to score even in comparison with this year's bottom 6, the Pens will overspend at the TDL for scoring, grit and experience. Same on the defense. The team isn't going to accept not making the playoffs.
I don't see a "re-tool" in your proposal. I don't see a direction much less the right direction. I just see a hope for the best and some magic handwaving.