"Start the rebuild plan" doesn't mean "I want to make every move immediately." Trotz was making moves over the summer in hopes of putting the team into a competitive spot. It doesn't look promising so far. If it continues down that road, he is changing plans. A lot of folks seem to be basing their judgment of this idea on the misconception that any rebuild would take place in a short window of time that would be impacted by the older players on the team. That's simply not the case. As was already pointed out, the contracts signed over the summer really won't have an impact on the team as it rebuilds unless the roster begins to gel, and then the plan can change or some players may be easier to move.
We're already in the middle of a rebuild with our prospect pool and the amount of picks we have. He says in the interview that Jodi, Forsberg Saros and the guys we signed this year aren't going anywhere and that he might have to move other pieces for younger players to play.
It's a loser mentality that was a key, if not the most important part, of Florida, Colorado, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Washington, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and LA winning their cups. I'm not saying rebuilding is always the answer or just drafting high is all it takes, but bottoming out is, at the very least, an avenue to a cup.
While this is pretty spot on, you left out a coach who won't play younger talent. Parssinen and Tomasino have been scratched most of the season, as has Fabbro. Parssinen, Tomasino and Evangelista were the best line against the Caps last night. Zack L'Hereux is finding his footing in the lineup.
Some of those should be easily tradable. If ROR is on the table, I'd want Cheveldayoff to jump on that. Saros has been one of the best goalies in the league over the past 5 years. Forsberg is Swedish. Lots of things to be excited about.
The rebuild plan is to keep those guys around during development of the younger players. They won't need that cap space untol the young guns mature anyway
Signing Saros to a long-term deal was a big mistake. He was coming off a decent year but not one that warranted the deal he got. I get Trotz was thinking he was all in and that was a risky play. Moving Askarov compounded this error with the way the team has played out of the blocks.
