Zajac, too -- we need to give our youth a shot. Salo is a long-shot, and if he isn't ready we have Aho or Hickey to throw on that spot, and Greene can still at least servicably fill in as a top-4, worst-case. We got Panik, who although has a lower bounce-back potential than Parise does, I feel like keeping him around as a scratch is a waste of cap-space. Our roster is fine without Parise and Zajac, we have the injury depth necessary to sustain short-term losses and we need to give Wahlstrom a bigger shot this year.

Who is Parise/Zajac blocking? Bellows will get his chances, as did Wahlstrom and Toews. If Bellows can't do what they did and take a roster spot away, he's isn't ready anyway. I'm more than fine with making young players earn it.

Bellows is either getting waived or trades, there is no chance he makes the team. It’s unfortunate but for whatever reason the coaching staff isn’t a fan. He deserved a longer look last season IMO

I don’t mind Parise on a league minimum deal if he plays with Pageau on the 3rd line. I agree that signing Zajac makes no sense even as an extra forward.

There’s no one blocking Wahlstrom from playing top 6 minutes - he should be able to outplay Bailey and Palmieri and if that’s the case then Trotz should do the right thing and move him up in the lineup.

Lou's not going to roll with the kids in a win now situation, be thankful Dobson and Wahlstrom got playing time. If you want to see the kids play wait until the rebuild in a couple years. I'm not saying they don't deserve a chance! Lou's just not willing to take the risk of them not panning out this season, he's trying to win the cup. When they're ready they'll be ready.

As far as enough injury depth, you mean like Komarov on the first line?

I’d take him over Panik.

To answer your question though, because Bellows isn’t a transformative enough LW3 to be worth his salt on a playoff run. Parise is at least reliable to give you a 30-40 point season for next to no money.

As for Wahlstrom, Parise is an LW, Wahl is an RW, both are pretty married to what wing they play and therefore they do mt really block each other on the depth chart.

Are we really in a "win now" situation? Barzal is 24, Beauvillier is 24, Wahlstrom is 21, Brock is 29, Pageau is 28, Pelech is 27, Pulock 26. Sorokin is also 26.

We have a year or two with these guys, so winning THIS YEAR isn't necessarily the goal. Wahlstrom isn't going to put up a 30 point season, anyway. I think he's more then capable of being a top-6 producer NOW, maybe moreso than Parise. Panik is a fine third guy; if we plan on throwing him away for a pick or something, I'd like to see Parise in his place. If we keep him, I don't see any real reason to sign Parise imo.

Whether you think we’re in “win now mode” or not, contending teams constantly add youth to their roster every year. Even the ones that won cups.

Win-now doesn’t mean you that you need to add players over the age of 30 to win. The odds are most close to NHL ready Dmen will provide more value than a guy like Andy Greene because he’s at the point in his career where he shouldn’t be anything more than a spare part.

I personally don’t think like guys like Bolduc, Wilde, Holmstrom should be given a shot at all this season. They are all too raw - but a guy like Salo has had more than enough seasoning in the 3rd best professional league in the world and he dominated as a #1 defenseman for his team. That’s a guy who deserves a long look this season , that’s what a win-now team would do.

We've come the closest to the cup we've ever been since 1984 these past 2 season. I'd say we're in win now mode. I don't think Lou's willing or ready to settle with 2 ECF appearances.