need defense still

I think a year of growth from Lilleberg and Crozier plus Sergy being healthy will be enough. Need forward and scoring depth more.

without additions on defense they'll have the same result or worse next year

Offense isn't the issue with the team. The defense has been progressively worse now for 3 years. If Duclair costs 4 million, someone else can pay it. Use some of that money and the money spent on the horrid Dumba, on a real RD upgrade like DeMelo, Walker, Chatfield etc. DeMelo fits best but there will be others available. A weaker F add for the top/middle 6 will be acquired, but that's acceptable provided the defense is back to a top 10 unit again.