Quoting: palhal
What I was suggesting is that CBJ is a top contender in the East this year with their current lineup. 99% of the time contenders don't weaken themselves by trading for futures. Trading Bob and Panarin would certainly piss off the current players on the team and the fans.
let me just stop you right there. CBJ has never been a top contender.
They aren't a top contender this year, they weren't last year, and they weren't a year before that.
Lets be honest about the situation. The 3 top contenders in the east are Toronto, TB, and the Pens. Period. All 3 teams are very deep.
on the next Tier you got Boston and Washington.
then below that you have columbus.
I'm not hating on Columbus I'm being honest. This is a team that has yet to get out the 1st round.
Their current roaster doesn't make me think they will this year either.
They have Good very Good young pieces on this team. What they need is more Good young help. So it can come in in 2-3 years while the young core they have now is at their peek. Then you will see a chance at this team really competing for a cup.
Teams like Boston, and the Penguins will have aged out by then. TB and some of the talent in Toronto will be hitting the other side of 30. But Columbus will be right where they need to be.
They need to play the long game.