We're in the bottom 10 in goals per game at 2.89, bottom 10 in total goals at 237, bottom 10 in total assists at 403. I was all for tanking and rebuilding when we got rid of Holland. We did that and unfortunately didn't have an ounce of draft lottery luck, which sucked and slowed down our rebuild a small bit.
We're now 4 years into the Yzerman regime and at some point we have to start adding NHL ready talent who can put the puck in the net. Debrincat is one of those guys. He's a multi-time 40+ and 30+ goal scorer and has had over 60 points 3 times in his career. If I have to throw in an extra pick or a pick and a prospect to do it, I'm willing to do so. If we aren't aggressive in doing what we can to add NHL ready talent now, then when is the time? I'm not saying we have to be stupid like Holland was with signing Frans Nielsen to a crazy contract. We can be both aggressive in trying to acquire a goal scorer or two and smart at the same time with the contract we offer.
Do we continue the rebuild into next year? 2023-2024? 2024-2025? I'm all about tanking to rebuild when it makes sense, but that time period seems to be coming to an end for us. How long are you willing to continue the rebuild before you want to start adding NHL ready talent?
Furthermore, do you believe the player we are drafting at #9 + Albert Johansson or another non-Kasper/Edvinsson prospect will be more productive than Debrincat? If so, are you willing to wait 2-4 years for the player we draft at #9 this year plus Johansson/other prospect to be better than Debrincat?
If you don't want to wait to bring in NHL ready goal scorers, but aren't willing to do what it takes to get Debrincat, then who do you plan on adding? Alex Killorn? Ryan O'Reilly? Baby Bert? Vladimir Tarasenko? Travis Konecny? Ross Colton?