I don’t expect them to be competitive for say a WC spot next year, but we need to see improved performance at least via the eye test. This is year 4 of basically being terrible. Plenty of picks have been accumulated the last few years and more to come.
Allan, Dach, EDM
Korchinski, Nazar
Bedard, Moore
Levshunov (long shot)
Top 3 pick
These are all guys that we are going to start to need to see something from. Not asking them to jump in and be all stars from day 1, but push out bums like Maroon, Mikheyev, etc.
It's year 4 of being terrible, but really only year 2 of the plan.
Allan, Dach, EDM, are going to be at best depth players more than likely,
Nazar probably needs a year or 2 before he's a legit NHLer, if he can be that.
Korchinski is probably a couple of years minimum from being a really good Dman, if he becomes one.
Moore who knows,
Lev is like 3 years away.
It's not going to improve much next year, and the year after, we hopefully improve, but probably still a bottom 10 team.
How I see it going
24-25 = Bottom 5
25-26 = Bottom 7-10 - Some prospects take a leap, but still need seasoning
26-27 = Bottom 12 - Couple more prospects take a leap, 1 or 2 take a big leap
27-28 = Bottom 15 - Have the core figured out, last year of Jones shit contract/sign big UFAs to fill out the team
28-29 = Playoff team, learning how to win in the playoffs
29-30 = Legit contender