Domi is out and I think we make one more move before the start of the season.

Is Nyquist even gonna play?
You got Domi out.
Laine has to be on the block. I just can't see him resigning to be part of the rebuild. He's got 2 years and he's a UFA and I don't see him signing long term here.
He's got to be the next one out the door.
Bjorkstrand, Jenner and Voracek right behind him.
Although they may want to keep Jenner.
But there has to be a clearing out if they are going to rebuild. Anyone staying right now is just filler till draft picks can play.
They want to be near the bottom the next 2 years.

Ah yes, forgot about his injury. Assume Gerbe/Danforth to take that spot on the roster. Unless Chinakhov can get up and running straight away.

I think with the departure of Atkinson. There expecting one of bemstrom or chinahkov to be the 3rd line right wing. Chinahkov has the shot. Bob Hartley has gone to lengths to compare it to joe sakic. Not a name that drops too often I think he cracks the lineup and plays with texier next year.

Nyquist is skating and was also protected in the expansion draft, so assume he can be ready to start in October. I think 7.5 is Laine's qualifying offer, and in 1 year he is still RFA. If he has a good season he can be signed to a longer deal for sure. The talent is there, just needs to prove it again. Jenner will also be re-signed, very consistant player and can score goals (or hit the post a lot), AAV would not grow by much as he cant consistently play the whole season through injuries. I don't think the team needs a rebuild, just waiting now for the centers drafted today to have an impact. If anywhere is urgent then it's a top RHD, but by the time Sillinger and Kent Johnson arrive, so will Vorenkov and Marchenko. This is already a good team, just don't expect good defense.

Jarmo loves Bemstrom as well, especially after what he did in Finland last winter.

Oh those quotes were hilarious from torts. “Jarmo keeps telling me how good he is. Sending me video” torts killed that kids confidence so fast. (Same with tex foudy domi and laine)
But I think the deal to China was if he signs this year he’ll get a spot. Russia was pissed he left and there has to be a side deal there as to why he’d be ready and willing to sign. Or I’m reading into it too much.

I really like Chinakhov too, I just think he will have to earn his stripes at the start of the season. Most players have to spend time in the minors to start even if its just a few games.

I completely agree with the mentality but this org has had a hard time getting young guys from overseas to come without Nhl guarantees. Bemstrom refused (contract stipulation) Elvis refused (didn’t go down for playoff push didn’t see NA ice before preseason) and he might as well. Those were all written into the contracts or into the situations that they didn’t want to play in the ahl.

I think this is very optimistic thinking.
There isn't a whole lot of talent around Laine right now to help. I also think his value is higher now than it will be next year.
Those centers they just drafted, they are 2-3 years away.
I don't think this team is trying to rush anything. They know trying to land 1st OA in the next 2 drafts is worth it. It could give them something they have lacked for years. A legit 1C who can take a game over.
They will build this team around the players they have started drafting last year.
You got last years draft, this years draft, and probably the next 2 years draft. They will try to load up on picks. 1st rounders. To bring in some talent.
Which is why I think you see Laine go. If he can bring in 1st and good prospect +, great. Because I don't see him sticking around as a UFA.
Jenner I can see them keeping for "culture." on top of it his return probably isn't that high. But you can bet a team offers a 1st for him, he's out the door.
Voracek they will dump just to get rid of the cap hit. They are probably hoping if they feed him the puck he'll turn it around and they can move him for a return. They might even be willing to retain on it.
Bjorkstrand is really the hardest piece for them to move. I'm sure deep down they would like to keep him. But by the time the team is competitive he'll be close to 30 and on the decline.
This team will have to make a choice on keeping him, in hopes he's the "vet" presence on the team, or moving him for what would probably be a killing in the draft.
My guess is he gets at least 2 1st rounders and a good prospect right now.
That's gonna be a hard choice to make. Truth is, holding him is probably not the best choice. In 3 years this team will be competitive again.
They set those wheels in motion this offseason and last year. But it's not going to be over night and they aren't going to be competitive right away.
A. The division is way to hard. B. the rest of the conference is still improving to the point where the days of 2 WC coming out the metro is probably coming to an end.
MTL, FL, OTT are on the rise. There will be 4 teams out the other division this year.
CAR, NYI, WSH, PIT are all still likely playoff teams this year. With NYR chopping at the bit and PHL doing god knows what.
It's simply math. They aren't going to be competitive till that youth comes in, and it's a few years away.