I hope Brayden takes the time to read the 29^th installment of this series while he is finding himself in Thailand.

Forwards:

Key Players: Evgeni Malkin, Nazem Kadri, Blake Wheeler, T.J. Oshie, Mike Hoffman, Evgeny Kuznetsov

Depth Players: Evan Rodrigues, Matthew Peca, Justin Danforth, Anthony Beauvillier, Alex Barre-Boulet, Kole Lind, Klim Kostin

Grade: C

Your forward group has some strong veteran presence in Malkin, Kadri, Wheeler, and Oshie, but it's an aging core. Most of these players are past their prime and won't produce at an elite level much longer. Secondary scoring is a concern, as you lack younger, high-impact forwards who can take over in the coming years. The depth is mediocre, with several replacement-level players. There isn’t much speed or high-end scoring talent beyond the top names.

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Defense:

Key Players: Jamie Drysdale, Josh Manson, Dmitry Kulikov, Calvin De Haan, Zach Whitecloud

Depth Players: Jack St. Ivany, Michael Kesselring

Grade: C

Your defense is a weak point. Drysdale is young and promising, but he has had injury concerns. Manson is a solid defensive piece, but the rest of the group is uninspiring. Whitecloud and De Haan are fine depth options, but neither moves the needle much. There’s a noticeable lack of an elite two-way defenseman who can drive play or provide high-end offensive production. It’s a serviceable group, but it lacks top-end talent.

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Goaltending:

Goalies: Vitek Vanecek, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Depth Goalies: Alexei Kolosov, Pavel Cajan

Grade: C+

Vanecek is a reliable NHL goalie, but he isn't a high-end starter. Luukkonen is still developing but hasn’t proven himself as a long-term starter yet. Kolosov and Cajan provide some depth but aren't high-end prospects. Your goaltending is okay for now, but it lacks a true elite workhorse. It could be serviceable, but there's a risk if Vanecek falters or Luukkonen doesn’t take the next step.

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Prospect Pool:

Top Prospects: Matvei Michkov, Bradly Nadeau, Riley Heidt, Jordan Dumais, Jagger Firkus

Other Notables: Denver Barkey, Jani Nyman, Dmitri Buchelnikov, Kirill Dolzhenkov, Connor Levis

Grade: B

Your prospect pool is the best part of your team. Michkov alone is a potential franchise-changing talent, even if he has to wait a few years before coming to the NHL. Riley Heidt and Jordan Dumais have high offensive upside, while Jagger Firkus is a strong finisher. There’s good depth here, but most of your top prospects are forwards. The lack of high-end defensive prospects is a concern, and you could use a true elite goalie prospect as well.

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Draft Capital & Future:

Draft Picks: Multiple first-rounders and significant draft depth in 2025 and 2026

Grade: B

You’re well set for the future in terms of picks. Having multiple first-round selections, including Ottawa’s 2025 first-rounder, gives you the chance to draft top-tier talent or trade for upgrades. Your prospect pool is already strong, and this draft capital ensures that your team will have a steady influx of talent.

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Final Grade: C+

You were left with a roster that Steph completely destroyed and have brought it to a point where the light can be seen. Your current roster isn't strong enough to compete for a championship, but your future is extremely bright. If you can acquire an elite young defenseman and a top-tier goalie prospect, your team could become dominant in a few years. Right now, though, you’re likely a middle-of-the-pack team that might make the playoffs but won't be a true contender. It’s almost like you’re the Rob Cordell of the past 10 seasons.

Suggestions for Improvement:

1. Trade aging forwards (Kadri, Wheeler, Oshie) for younger talent or draft picks.

2. Upgrade your defense—target a high-end young blueliner.

3. Look for a future elite goalie—Luukkonen may not be the answer.

4. Use your draft capital wisely to keep adding young talent.

5. Be patient—your prospect pool is strong, but it will take time to pay off.

6. Don’t trade with Sumit.