I agree they were a good team last year, but doing so with lower expectations into the season last year, and career years from Kreider and Igor is different than into this season with high expectations to be a cup winning level team. And the playoff version of the Rangers is way better than we are now with Copp, Vatrano, Motte, and Braun all gone, and Trocheck in for Strome. Very different team.
I think there is no real way to debate it, if this team wants to be a cup level team Lafreniere and Kakko need to be big contributors, and Chytil needs to play a large role as well. Otherwise we'll have no where near enough depth of scoring to be a top level team.
And I'll say this about Lafreniere and Kakko, I am not just talking about the # of points and goals they actually score, those numbers will be depressed a bit if not getting much PP time, I am talking about 5 on 5 impact. That is where we need it being a poor 5 on 5 team again this year so far. You won't always score 5 on 5, but control the puck, make plays, create chances. I don't see a lot of that either. That is not just about give them PP1 time and their points will grow, it is much more than that IMO.
As mentioned, one very obvious move is Lafreniere on LW. It is where he needs to be right now. That is crystal clear. Make the change now Gallant. Balance the team out a bit.
We all knew Kreider was coming back down to earth this year, I'd say 30-35 goals +/-, still very good but not 50+. We need others to step up 5 on 5. We need Trocheck to finish his many chances. Panarin to shoot more. The PP to shoot more. And the team to man up and be more physical. If Gallant tweaks the lines correctly, the talent is there to get us in, and then we add depth at the trade DL like last season, but if we stay top heavy, and play guys in the wrong spot, trouble will continue IMO.