This is the time of the year that us fans, we tend to react to every trade or rumours.
Nemec was traded - maybe we wanted him?
Tuch was traded - maybe we wanted him too?
Kyrou was traded - maybe we wanted him as well?
Pettersson has to leave - we're thinking about getting him at reduced price
Connor Zary suddenly is available - we may think he would be a fit?
But in reality, we won't want or need any of them. Let's just enjoy the surprise and unexpected players we would get. Hughes is not gonna keep the team the same way, the guy is a boss, he'll get things done. Like Hockey Hall of Gamer Goalie Carey Price would say "take a chill pill"
The true reality is any of these recently acquired players would make us instantly better.
I understand ad-nauseum that we are a young team, so it is reasonable to expect ALL our players are still on the "improvment" line. Theoretically ofc, this means we will be "better" next year with who we have (especially with the ECF playoff run). I get it, and for that reason i understand the restraint.
But that's where my agreement ends. I am focusing only on our current core, and SC window. While i understand "building and developing" is necessary, there comes a point whereby management must acknowledge current core, and provide added help. Hage, Z, et al.. (i love them, wish we could just wait) but that simply doesn't make sense. You cant stretch the core timeline to fit prospects. You cant stretch the core timeline to draft (outside top 5).
At some point, you need to deal. Bc sitting on your arse and waiting never achieved anything. Prospects are fun to follow, but their contribution (realistically) is years away from real contribution.
It's time. We are knocking on a SC window, and to compete, we need REAL (proven) assets to enhance our core.
Failure to see this is managerial-malpractice, but thankfully i "still" hold out hope Hugo are not playing the MB game.
Anything we own- nit currently on our already "youngest squad" in the league provides NO HELP. They need to be moved.