I believe this only matters if at least one of Zibanejad or Fox is moved. Trading UFA's to be Panarin/Soucy, doesn't mean sh*t.
Trading Trocheck, who I think would bring a very good return, is something, but he is a good player, signed to a very good contract, and is exactly the kind of guy you want here moving forward (which is why he'll have good value in a trade).
They have to get one of Zibanejad, $8.5M cap hit for four more seasons after this season, OR Fox, $9.5M cap hit for three more seasons after this season, off the team.
Next is Miller, $8M cap hit for four more seasons and Lafreniere, $7.45M cap hit until 2032. Unless I can get good value, I would keep Miller here. And unless I could get top level value, I would not trade Lafreniere. I still believe he has talent in there, and I wouldn't deal that away for a lesser return.
Bottom line, for this "retool" to mean anything, Zibanejad or Fox must be gone. And seeing Drury mention core players, if I were to guess, Igor and Fox are at the top of that list with Cuylle and a few others.
Which is why I will say what I've been saying for a long time, Zibanejad has to go. He is everything that's wrong with this team. Sure, he's had a bounce back season scoring wise, but he plays with zero passion, not a ton of effort, if I were to guess he is not a good influence in the locker room or with kids like Lafreniere or Cuylle. Not the end all be all stat, but he's an astonishing -37 combined this season and last season, and growing, that's horrific.
I'm saying it right now, again, Zibanejad MUST go, he'd be my # 1 focus to get him to waive his NMC and move him, even for a smaller return just to get rid of his bad influence and his $8.5M cap hit. Without that, this "retool" doesn't mean sh*t.