My own opinion is Stralman and Boyle are gone, and we'll see on Pouliot and D. Moore. But here's the deal, I am not sure that is good enough. We need to improve off last season, not bring everyone back and think we are right there to win. To me that is faulty thinking.
1. We lost Richards. Now I get many have no regard for his game anymore, and he 100% had to go we all agree there, but he was a leader, and he did score 20 goals last season, and played well until the SCF. We are kidding ourselves if we don't think he is a loss if not replaced at all.
2. We finished a distant 2nd in our division, and would have been 6th in the East if it was the old format, which shows we were not a top team in the East as is.
3. We could have lost to Philly in round 1. Could have lost to Pitt in round 2. Could have maybe lost to the Habs in Price was healthy in the ECF. Lost 4-1 in the SCF. So AWESOME run, but let's not act as if we were a big time team that cruised to the SCF. We need to improve.
4. Boyle will be gone. Dorsett is gone. D. Moore may be gone. Stralman may be gone. That is our very important 4th line maybe all gone (personally I think only Moore has a real shot to be back), and our # 4 dman gone as well. That is a lot of good solid depth to lose, depth that really helped us this past season, and that doesn't even factor in maybe losing Pouliot as well.
5. YES we will bring a few kids up. I am sure Miller will get a shot. I am sure maybe a Lindberg or Fast will get a shot. Maybe a McIlrath will get a shot. I can see 2 or 3 of those guys getting a chance, but those guys are all question marks. They may work out, or they may be young, and not be able to compare to the guys we are losing next season.
This is the reality of things right now. It is potentially concerning. Now I say potentially because we do not know what will happen in the next 10-12 days, but if we are sitting here in 10 days and all these things play out, I will be concerned. This is 100% a win now team with some of our older players in their primes, Hank 32, and not having a 1st rounder for a few years straight. Bringing back our guys, outside of Richards and Boyle and Stralman, and not adding anyone of any real impact won't be enough IMO.
We cannot be blinded by this great run we had and act as if we were this dominant team that just needs to bring the main guys back and we'll be right there again next season...no. I believe we need to improve if we want to be near the top of the East again next May/June.