Improved Bottom 6

Definitely an improved third line. The defense & tending still give me pause.

Exactly my thoughts, this offense is fine but the defense for sure needs work. Probably bump Bertuzzi to 2nd line and get a D instead of either Zucker or Barbashev

Who do you want to replace on the backend though? It's Smith's time now or never. I wouldn't mind replacing Ruhwedel with someone like Gudas. I think 3C is more important, and I would probably not sign AA and keep Zucker and Barb, maybe bump Nylander up to 3RW, Carter can player 4RW and focus on scoring. Snag a RD like Gudas if he doesn't get overpaid after this FLA run to steady Smith on the 3rd pair.

I like Smith, but Ruhwedel can’t be a regular in my book.

We need someone more mobile on D. Zucker Barbashev and Bertuzzi all have similar traits. Anthanasiou I think is very important cause we need speed. So one of those three I would replace with a D. Bertuzzi I'd say is best of the 3 so I'd keep him. My D ideally would look like this. Just need someone who can move the puck better. And as a luxury wouldn't hurt to have someone like Gudas either.

Pettersson-Letang
xxx-Smith
xxx-Petry

That's how I'd go into the offseason looking at our D. Some combo like Orlov and Gudas for the last 2 would be perfect. I'm choosing Smith over POJ, think his upside is higher. Our D was just a mess last year, too slow, no net front presence, awful D zone coverage, constant awful pinches.