Those are my 3 concerns for making the playoffs as well.
Depending on what the end goal is, if it's to win a cup, I would say my worry is also the lack of star players. And I'm not sure how to get more. We won't have high draft picks...have to give up a first... we're going to have to hope to find an Alfredsson/Datsyuk/Zetterberg or something to be a true contender. (Someone who comes out of nowhere to be a top 30 player in the league)
If we're going with realistic odds, we have no shot at the Cup this year. We haven't made the playoffs in 7 years and will have to learn
how to lose in the playoffs like everyone else (Tampa, Edmonton, Colorado and even Florida did)
I like our potential regarding star power at G + D but F is a question mark
G : Ullmark (if he extends) + Sogaard/Merilainen/???
D : Sanderson + Chabot + Yakemchuk
F : Stutzle + Tkachuk + Batherson
So the problem might be at F going forward. Giroux and Perron are too old now and will only be stop gaps. Norris could be in that group but due to his shoulder injuries, it's unpredictable at this point. I love Pinto and Greig but I think they are luxury support players and not stars. Guys like Halliday and Ostapchuk are nice but they are support at best too.
So I agree, in the next few years we'll need to find another star forward and at least another Top-6 guy to replace Giroux
Another brief analysis that shows how inept Dorion's management was. We should be stacked at all positions with still a good prospect pool considering the time we rebuilt and the wealth we started with.