This is basically what I see happing. Your value for Gudas is pretty much where I'd put it too, he's a decent top 4 guy, kills penalties, plays hard, on an reasonable deal.

I think Vecchione will be the 4th line centre though, I have high hopes for him (if being a good 4th liner is that high of a hope).

I wonder if Weal and Lindblom do well and Konecny takes a step forward while Rubstov gets closer Hextall might consider moving Simmonds (painful though it might be) for a ransom to restock the cupboard as we embark to perennial cup contending years - gearing towards that '2nd phase'.

Eh, none of those guys currently/could play RW well enough to push Simmer out except Konecny and he'd have to take some major strides. He's good, but he's not even close to Simmer good. Rubtsov will probably be in Lehigh at this point. Unless he blows the doors off the Q next year, I don't think he has the resume or experience to push for an NHL spot.

I get that but when Simmonds deal is done he'll be a 30 year old power forward. Unless he signs a really team friendly deal to no benefit for himself then we're going to end up with a guy who'll be signed long term for his declining years most likely when we could get a load for him on his current deal. But time will tell. The realist in me looks at the numbers and says that's the most rational course of action, the fan in me says otherwise.