I think you nailed it. You are correct, perhaps Hughes, Petterson, Boeser are lights out next year and we improve, but they have been good for the last month and look at the results. Our bottoms six was good for the first month (production wise), but have now gone ice cold. Even if we get lucky and Hughes and Peterson combine to make 16 million next year, that only leaves 4 million to sign 3 NHL caliber defenceman (preferably one top 4 RHD) a top 6 winger and a 3rd line centre. That is impossible without some major offloading of bad contracts which would deplete our picks and our already depleted prospect pool. Realistically this team is 3 years out from being competetive. Which sucks, because we have waited 7 years already.