Let's call the Blackhawks situation "purgatory"
by voidoid (2022-06-08 21:35:14)

In reply to: Excellent comments and questions; and a little more clarity  posted by CJC

Post Reply Return to Lefty's Rink

since, after all, you got three Stanley Cups out of the Toews/Kane/Keith core.

After reflecting on this some more, the Oilers should just go all-in, right now, during the McDavid-Draisaitl window. They made the conference final, which isn't nothing. They *need* to somehow upgrade their goaltending, and with a slim UFA pool this is probably via trade. Package whatever draft picks and prospects you can to upgrade where you can for the next three seasons.

They've got 8 forward signed, with three RFAs, so they need a few more. Their cap situation is not particularly good, especially with Lucic, Neal and Sekera on the books for $4m+. Maybe get the Habs to eat some salary and take on Drouin (or some other misfit) and hope for a turnaround. Find a couple defensively competent grinders to help the PK.

I don't think they're hopeless. And they're not going to stumble into another McDavid/Draisaitl pair if they dismantle. Just mortgage the future and try to make it happen.

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