Quoting: Dr_Invictus
That would assume you want to extend everyone. Dressing the same team as last year isn't wise. Nor is resigning guys in their 30s to long term extensions. Hanifin and Lindholm are a bit younger than the lot, but if a top 15 pick is on the table, they are going to listen.
I mostly disagree with you here for a few reasons.
1. Team went through a complete retool last summer that resulted in a major lack of familiarity and synergy. Discombobulated would ve the best way to describe the team last year.
2. Line consistency was a huge problem. The only things that stayed relatively constant all year were Lindholm - Toffoli, Backlund - Coleman, and the defense.
3. The constant favoring of veterans over young guys ready to make the jump hurt us a lot.
4. The system though effective at shot suppression and shot quantity was horrible for shot quality. Some of the vest things we saw last year were when Huberdeau made some wicked passes for very high quality chances but due to pairing with guys like Ritchie or Lucic it resulted in wasted effort.
I don't think the team shpuld make many changes at all before free agency opens up and extension negotiations become legal. Especially with either of Hanifin or Lindholm. I would maybe be open to Tanev or Toffoli being dealt at the draft for the right price but other than that no. I think a coaching change van go a long way and unless the new GM decides to blow it up I think trading a core player off for pick 14 is silly. That prospect will have little to no impact on the team for 2-3 years