If by contender you mean for a wildcard than sure. That Dcore is still poor and the center depth after Eichel is worse. Yes Cozens is a very good prospect but it’s hard to rely on a rookie C to make the kind of impact this team would need to be any more than a wild card team.

Definitely agree. We need more center depth to become more than a wild card team. Unless Eichel drives the team through 82 games we don't finish top 3 in the atlantic

It’s really hard to find a top 6 centre externally, there’s none in free agency and there’s not enough going around for teams to consider trading their own.

Lowkey trade for Cirelli as the 2C, Cozens as the 3C (assuming you trade Mitt + for Cirelli) and sign someone like Dillon and I think that team could finish 2nd or 3rd in the division

This team would be about an 85 point team. You haven't improved the center position and ristolainen is still somehow playing big minutes.

No. MAYBE for the last wildcard.

I don't know why you think Las Vegas would have to give up the better pick. Tuch is more valuable than Montour, especially to Buffalo, and Stephenson is a proven (if bottom-6) NHLer and Asplund isn't even that.

Yeah maybe for the last wild cup, But cup contender no way. And you're not getting Tuch in any deal for Montour.

Sign Haula, he's the closest thing to a 2C available in free agency, he's about the only stopgap available till Cozens or Middlestadt are ready for the job.

We need a middle 6 center desperately. I need a vet that knows how to play the position. Kahun should get a look as well. Ive seen several reports that gush over cozens, but many still suggest he may be a winger in the nhl. Mittelstadt isnt exactly kicking the door down either, and the door was left unlocked, cracked open, with a welcome mat in front of it. The smart play here has gotta be to get at least one legit vet center in here, and then see what you have with kahun and cozens.

Draft Lundell, he has been playing against older players and posting a real good Corsi and possession stats, I could see him being ready right away. And then move Cozens to wing

Playoffs, yes

Cup contender, nope
Not until Mitts, Cozens, Dahlin, etc develop into really good players
Still would be a tier behind teams like the Caps, Tampa, etc


I think moves like the ones u made are pretty reasonable though

I might be mixing up prospects, but i think when i read his scouting report, i thought "thats the last guy i wanna draft at 7". A 2 way center that probably tops out at 50 points- thats a guy i wanna take in the second round, rather grab a winger to help with our nonexistent scoring with that high of a pick. Take girgensons for instance, when we drafted him in the middle of the first round, it seemed like a reach for a solid 2 way center who didnt score a ton. And it was. Take the star player if hes there. Beggars being choosers and all.