Quoting: zadinaveleno
Zadorov is easily an upgrade on what we currently have though. We can't just stand pat with the same D that we had last year if we are serious about taking strides. Johansson is coming but he's not ready. The D UFA market is weak. My alternative would be someone like Alex Edler, but Zadorov plays a more physical brand of hockey.
I disagree that Holtby is done. He is a huge upgrade over Thomas Greiss. Like I said, Ned is good, but far too inconsistent. We need another proven goalie in the system to share the load, and potentially take over the net for a few games in a row here and there while Ned tries to find his game.
Jarnkrok is just depth. I have our kids playing. I have Berggren on the team, so I'm not sure what other kid you want in the lineup next year. We are thin at center in terms of prospects, so what kid are you talking about playing? I can see Soderblom getting games in the 2nd half, but I think he should start in GR.
Zadorov would be an upgrade on the LEFT side, sure, but he's not signing a 2 year deal and THAT is what we need right now, not a contract that will become a burden in 2 years. I'm still hoping Yzerman acquires one or both of Martinez and/or Pettersson, although he recently said he doesn't see a trade that makes sense, so it's doubtful. Honestly, I know it's a little outside the box, but I'd like to flip Hronek to the off hand and sign someone like Josh Manson on the right side. Also, Lindstrom is criminally underrated and was only a rookie. He's not flashy, but he's a VERY good defender and I expect him to take more strides:
Hronek-Seider
Edvinsson-Manson
Walman-Lindstrom
Osterle
As for Holtby, he was injured for half the season and there have been rumblings he might even retire... he has had knee and hip issues over the last few years and those are pretty concerning for a goalie...
Onto Jarnkrok - we don't need depth, we need impact, top 6 players. Having Veleno on the 4th line doesn't help his development, nor the team and Stephens is a perfectly capable 4th liner, plus Gagne was a fantastic fit on that 4th line and should be brought back. You could even argue that Veleno or Rasmussen should be given a real serious look on the 2nd line to start the season with the way they both finished the year:
Bertuzzi-Larkin-Raymond
Vrana-Veleno/Rasmussen-Zadina
Veleno/Rasmussen-Suter-Berggren
Sundqvist-Stephens-Gagne