As long as this team has Stamkos, Kucherov, Point, Cirelli, Paul, Hedman, Sergachev, Cernak, Vasy, for the next 3 years I definitely think this team has the top end to get more cups. The chemistry and experience alone can make up for a slight decrease in skill and ability, from possibly stammer and heddy. Those are the two who I could see declining first since they are a few years older than the rest of the core. But I dont have any doubt that their top guys lack the potential to get it done when it matters.
The only question is what does this team do to surround the core. They are severely cap strapped and trading off future assets may prove detrimental when the team hits their decline phase. I'm not against going all in for the next couple years to continue succeeding, but if they dont get the right pieces it will be a major loss.
They obviously have to have guys from within take a big next step. Koepke, Goncalves, Finley, Edmonds, Fortier. They have some good forward prospects who can grow like other young guys have done so well in Tampa the last 10 years. Defensively, the pipeline does not look very strong.
I have faith JBB will make some really quality moves over the next few years to keep this team in the upper echelon of the league, just have no idea of what to do.
Im not sure about Colton and Foote. Colton more so than Foote. Lets say that if Colton has a worse year than he did last year and takes a bridge deal, i still think hes going to want somewhere in the 2-4 range for no more than 2 years. A discount taken? who knows? but if he is even signed to a 1 year 2 million dollar deal for next year, that leaves 5-7 mill to fill out nearly the entire bottom six and get the depth in order. I fear this team will have serious depth issues if they keep Colton and Foote and they both get even a slight raise. Maybe the best bet will be to sell high on both of them and turn it into a Hagel situation, trade for guys who have at least 2 years on their contracts at cheap deals. Maybe not necessarily guys who are viewed as high potential, but could blossom in tampa and then their deals look like bargains while they are on cheap contracts. Paul and Hagel for example.
I say all this because i feel like Perry and Bellemare are on their last legs. Im not sure i can see them playing more than this season and the next, then it might be it for them, Maroon may be soon to follow as hes seriously declined in skating and hes got his rings.
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