The way I'm thinking about next season is this. We will barely scrape by with ~30 wins at the end of the season. Now imagine next season, without Fleury playing out of his mind for half a season, without Brandon Hagel's production, and realistically without at least one of De Haan/Kubalik. I dont think Lankinen is as bad as he has been up to this point, but you cant entirely bank on him rebounding to where he was 2 years ago. All of that considered, I genuinely think we are a bottom 5 team unless we sign 2 top 6 scorers and a good goalie.

Jackets fans should be rooting for Chicago to win the lottery this year. Next year in a stacked draft with a tanking team would provide a much better pick than the team and draft this year.

It’s a gamble. I would rather have a top 5 pick in this years draft than the 15th pick next year

As long as Kane and DeBrincat are on this team, this team will find a way to 30 wins. The only way this team can truly tank is if Kane is dealt in the offseason. Maybe trading both to really get some 1st round picks and prospects.

Thats fair, and maybe you're right. I think it depends on who the coach is next year. There's also the train of thought where you want them to find the right guy and we come out of the gates swinging... but we have also seen what happens when u dont have the right guy, with Colliton leading us to like 10 losses in a row to start the year, and Im not entirely sure there's a great group of coaching candidates out there at the moment. I think thats an example of just HOW bad this team can be if we really arent connecting on things. I suppose we will find out. Obviously wouldnt be disappointed with Wright, but I think ultimately the upside of 2023 is very tantalizing and it will be easy to convince ourselves that if we win the lottery for Michkov or Bedard, well, you can start printing championship merch again in a few years

I don't see the harm in trading Kane to a contender in the offseason, he'd definitely be interested in coming back the following offseason when he's UFA. DeBrincat is hard to let go of, but you could get a huge haul for him (Bigger than Hagel) if you decide to pull the trigger.