I think they were given an opportunity this year to sneak in. Teams like Winnipeg, Nashville, Chicago, San Jose and Anaheim all probably get better next year. Package whatever you need to get a top six winger with term left, then find a veteran center that can keep us afloat in the short term.
At the very least, a non-playoff team should be willing to give us a warm body in exchange for Puljujarvi's rights.
Letting this season get away from us would be incredibly discouraging. This is a team that only made the playoffs once in the past 13 years, we are in no position to expect next year to be better.