from 2019 and beyond!

when the 2nd line is better than the 1st

Haha, one could argue it was this past year too. Cooch-Hertl-Boedker were unquestionably the best playoff line. I think the strength of SJ is that it didnt have a clear 1-2-3-4 in lines.

last year 14 players had at least 7 goals with 11 players in double digit goals, including all top 9 forwards. However if you add up Goodrow (7g in 46 games) and Sorenson (5G, 32 gp) and Fehr (3G, 14gp), they played a total of 90 games with 15 goals (basically 13 goals per 82).

Hopefully they can repeat that kind of depth along with improvements from meier and hertl to take the next step into bonafide top 6 (25-30 goal) forward status. And maybe Suomela pulls a donskoi and puts up 15g, 30pts to anchor another solid line. And maybe sorensen continues what he did in the playoffs and emerges as a legitimate top 9. Lots of maybe's but not all have to come to fruition for the sharks to have another good chance at the cup. If you have a dozen irons in the fire, its like a few will heat up.

If the sharks can keep their depth yet get just a bit more fearsome in the top 6, it'll be tough to beat 'em.

I'm down, except how do you intend to acquire Panarin to give him the 8th year? You would likely have to trade a bunch of assets (Meier, Labanc, picks, etc.). Also, Donskoi will probably get more than that.

yes, its in the description. I think it would take labanc and tierney+package of picks and prospects.

I dont think dougie would touch meier or hertl. I think he seens meier as a 30+goal powerful force and hertl too. The way hertl played down the stretch and in the PO's certainly appears like he can be a 3o goals (60-70 pt) player. And the gianst step Meier took with 21 goals in his first full season appears similarly poised for a breakout year of 30 goals+. Lebanc is likely the one with the highest value but lowest ceiling and Tierney is a very good two-way center who Id really rather keep but whose stock is high.

If Labanc, Tierney, picks, and prospects are not enough, then Dougie is better off standing pat on panarin. Or he can wait and see if someone unexpected emerges amongst the youth that piques jarko's interest.

Dougie is in a good position. We have a better team today that at the start of last season (meier, hertl, and labanc are more experienced. Kane>Boedker. Joachim Ryan looks good. and several potential prospects may emerge). Dougie can be patient and strike only at the exact right time for the right price. The list of to-be-UFA's is very long with some solid names:

Karlsson, skinner, paccioretty, panarin, duchene, Dzingel, simmonds, Nyquist, johansson, Anders Lee, Eberle, Zuccarello, and others all may be on the move, all 30 or younger, and the price will be lower midyear or at the deadline for all of them, particularly if their teams struggle and resigning becomes less likely. All are also in the other conference making the sharks are much more palatable option. And some RFA's this year may join the list if they sign 1 year deals.

Patience is the name is the game right now for dougie. He took the shot at tavares, wisely in my opinion, and will sit in the weeds, crouched down ready to snipe at the right moment. He has roughly 7 months between now and the deadline and given that the sharks should be solid in the interim, I have no fear.