The aim was for this year to be playoffs...

If the aim was for playoffs this year, MB has done a terrible job so far. Habs are worse offensively and defensively at this point and the East is stronger than last year.

Jets are a draft and develop team.. no reason to give up a first and third when we can ride out kulikovs contract and trade perrault at the draft for a mid pick

Your right. The goal is to compete for a playoff spot but it will be hard with the top 4 in the Atlantic. So using our cap space for acquiring picks would be great. There is no rush to "make the playoff". Unless the kids are ready (wich we cant expect). Again, our core group (I dont need to put the name you know them) is VERY young. Let this group learn together and if they make the playoff good for them if they dont lets have a good draft and next year will be better.

Maybe it is, but the Habs are getting better with the east. Now with Columbus out of the way, there's a better chance at snatching a wild card spot

Habs have swapped Shaw and Benn for Cousins and Chiarot. Habs and Columbus are worse but Devils, Rangers, Sabres and Panthers are all better than last year.

Oh right

Jets not trading kulikov, young blueline needs a few vets mixed in, and when his contract runs out, his dough tops up morrissey, pearrault possibly plays out his contract also, should be enough elc to stay under cap and after arbitration for Connor and laine and possibly 2 year deals, pearrault money goes to either one of them after contract runs out. Both values worth more to wpg, than on open markets