I do agree this no longer a destination franchise. Having players waive NMC to come here is going to be unlikely. The few times an elite talent becomes available without a NMC (ie Quinn Hughes), the organization cannot just say “oh well, we got outbid”. Since free agency is not an option and the current regime has no interest in team stripping to get close to top 5 for the next couple of drafts, the only way forward is more Zegras and Jiricek trades. Players who have not lived up to their pre draft hype. That’s why the team has to be willing to move Tippett and/or Foerster this summer. See if they can get Berniers out of SEA. Another organization going no where with a high draft pick who has not lived up to his hype on a long-term contract. Notice he does not have a NMC clause. The regime will need some luck and a HC to maximize the skill of Michkov and Martone. I’m not sure which is more likely- getting the luck needed to win big in Zegras type trades or the current HC who can maximize his players’ performance.
Every franchise goes through the process of being a “non destination franchise”, very few franchises stay competitive for more than a decade or so before they start to decline. As a general rule of thumb. Look at the Coyotes/Mammoth, we sucked in Arizona for how long? 20 years? Until we hired a GM, Bill Armstrong in Sept 2020, who was committed to properly rebuild, with the blessing of ownership, Arizona was a no-go destination. Now we have some good young players and a new owner who’s committed to winning. Right now you’re in the John Chayka phase, eventually you’ll get to the point where Briere is gone and ownership submits to a proper rebuild, although, you’re already set up pretty good with picks for 2026 and 2027 where you have two 1st’s and two 3rd’s.