Posted by holer on 4/7/2011 3:30:00 AM (view original):
I have to say that with all the mistakes that were made with this team this year, at least they didn't go out with a whimper like they have so many times in the past.
not necessarily holer. by the end of 2014, everyone is off the books except bourque and giordano. by the end of 2013 we only have stajan (at only $2.5M), kipper (at only $1.5M) and bouwmeester (still at $6M) under contract (in addition to bourque and giordano). if we spend the next two years trying out all the young guys in the farm team to see if any of them are late bloomers and actually have promise, finish near the bottom of the league and get a couple of really high draft picks, and trade away vets for prospects wherever possible, then we could start signing some decent FAs in 2013, sign some more in 2014, and turn the team around within three years. of course this is dependent on making the right moves and signings, and maybe finding a hidden gem or two, but it's entirely possible to have a team that could be competitive for the 2014/15 season with two, maybe three top five draft picks in the lineup. with a smart GM, it doesn't have to take more than a few years. they just have to be willing to pull the trigger. :>