Quoting: EthanBearForVezina
Reider had 0 goals last year, Brodziak had 6. Strome had 2 points in 18 games and spooner had 3 points in 25 games. I highly doubt that type of production from the bottom 6 will repeat with the additions of Granlund, Archibald, and not to mention gagner producing at a 30 point pace last season. As for Neal, even if he scores 15 goals that will be an upgrade over what lucic gave the oilers as a top 6 winger. As for goaltending, Koskinen has shown he can be streaky. He had a great stretch which led to his contract extension. Smith on the other hand had a solid end of the season and was exceptional for the flames in the playoffs. Obviously it’s not going to be pretty but I think this team can squeeze into a wildcard spot.
Whatever McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, and Chiasson losemout on production is likely to be made up by the bottom 6. You cant strictly isolate just on the bottom 6. It's so unlikely that all 4 guys have career years again. The net total is still likely to be close to zero.
Smith is 37 years old. He's on the wrong side of 35, and if you feel that you have to buy into every move the team makes, then so be it. But there were better options available on the market despite how bad the market really was. Koskinen is a seive on the road: is the expectation that he only plays at home at his price point?
Every team in the central is better. Vancouver got objectively better this summer. Arizona got objectively better. Only Anaheim and Los Angeles remained stagnant, and if Anaheim has a better season health-wise, Edmonton WILL finish 14th in the west, only ahead of the Kings. McDavid would need a 140pt+ season for this team to make the playoffs and even then, what's the point?