This team is two smart trades from competing again.
1) Cozens or Byram trade for top 6 C/D
2) The other player for the remaining position.
Byram is worth a 2C, he was traded for one and has gotten better.
Cozens will need an add like a 2nd or similar.
You fix your RHD and get a true top 4 D on the right side, and you get a true top 6C to actually play correct hockey. 2nd line gets better, 2nd pairing gets better, less goals against, Power gets a steady partner.
You Keep Ostlund Konsta, Krebs, 2025, 2026 firsts to acquire another good roster player.
Feels like a no brainer to do these things.
Peterka Thompson Marner (Thompson may go back to C here at some point if Kulich can't sustain)
Quinn Cirelli Kulich
Zucker Mcleod Benson
Beck Kozak Greenway
Winger is the spot to potentially ADD as a 3rd trade or FA.
Dahlin Andersson
Power (Should be Marcus Pettersson for 2026 1st) Get a similar quality, RyJo slots in otherwise.
Clifton Samuelsson
Don't hold me to the names listed though. Cirelli> Cozens, Andersson fit>>Byram. Grab a winger in FA, let's just say Marner (pipe dream). My team is making the playoffs.