Did not have to rebuild. Could have just traded UFAs and kept players with term. And no big UFA signings. Re-signed the captain.
Today top nine forwards and top four defenders and top 3 goalies:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Panarin - Strome - Fast
Lemeuix - Chytil - Kakko
Skjei - Trouba
Staal - DeAngelo
Lundquist, Shesterkin, Georgiev
Without the rebuild:
Kreider - Stepan -Buchnevich
Panarin - JT Miller - Strome
Lemeuix - Chytil - Fast
Skjei - Trouba
McDonagh - Fox
Lundquist, Shesterkin, Georgiev
Cons; No Andersson, DeAngelo,Zibanejad,Kakko,Howden,Hajek,
Pros: Stepan, Return for Brassard, McDonagh, JT Miller, No byouts of Girardi and Shattenkirk, More cap the last years to make smaller moves.
And no tanking. No letter.