Goaltending??

They also need a real starting goalie (Stuart Skinner doesn't count either)

A good 3C would pretty much solve the issues up front. If I was Edmonton I would have been hard after Gourde in the offseason. Another aggressive move would have been Gibson. Both would have left the prospect cupboard depleted but the team would be a lot better.

I think it should be

1 top 6 forward

2 top 4 defenseman

1 Starting Goaltender

Smith could make a good run, but next year for sure. Add it to the list.

Disagree. The Top 6 just doesn't compliment each other at all. Here you have probably the 2 best playmaking centres in the league, and not a single shooter to put with them. Hyman works hard, great. RNH has 3 goals, Puljujarvi is a good complimentary piece there but still far from a consistent finisher. And Yamamoto is not a top 6 forward.

They need a Laine/Tarasenko type. Not necessarily those 2 specifically, but that type of player.

An elite goal scorer obviously wouldn't hurt, but I don't think it'll help as much as 3C capable of consistently winning matchups. McDavid might get an extra 10 points playing with a better winger, but a strong 3C would allow them to run 3 competent lines instead of 2. Not to mention that the needs at defense and goaltending are probably more significant.

Laine could hit 50 playing with those two, but it would just be doubling down on a losing formula.

Just boggles my mind that they haven't even tried complimenting 97 and 29 with guys who can score. Its always been "big, tough, physical, works hard, forechecks hard" .

Maroon
Lucic
Kassian
Hyman
Puljujarvi
Neal (4 years late)

Honorable Mentions:
Caggulia, Khaira, Kahun, RNH, Yamamoto, anyone else?

Literally not a single shooter in 7 years. 27 year old James Neal could've worked. Instead they gave him 33 yo James Neal.
Caufield would have been a nice fit.

Sigh.

EDIT: As much is you'd hate to help out Vegas, Marchessault would be someone I would try to make work. Would have to move out salary elsewhere however.