We have too many old guys on long contracts (Backstrom, Carlson, Oshie). Oshie was his usually hair-on-fire self most of the season but suffered badly with a couple of hip injuries. Backstrom started great and carried the team during the early covid loss of the Russians, but he was obviously not 100% at the end of the season or playoffs. Carlson missed time as well and was just plain garbage at the end. Oshie is my all time favorite Cap, and he still seems to be bringing it - how many games did he step up and play center? Caps got almost nothing from it's veteran core down the stretch. Chara hit a wall. Schultz was playing hurt, and it showed. Same with Eller. The only D man that had a pulse was Orlov. Kuzy just needs to go. This is addition by subtraction. Bring up McMichael. Play Fehevary. Get some of these young players time on ice with the veterans next year and start the rebuild now. I'd seriously like to expose half this team in the expansion draft.

Go Avs!