I think two years of drafting high while also getting extra 1st picks for depth at the minimum would be the plan. Going after UFAs NOW is exactly what MB did after drafting KK. This leads me to believe this is all business as usual for Molson while Gorton promised better results with the same plan. I am not liking this much, but we shall see. People are going to roast me with this assumption, but I don't care.
MB problem with UFA is he went after the mediocre/average ones, players that don't significantly move the needle.
I don't think (or hope at least) that's what is being envisionned here.
We're not talking about signing Palat or Smith or Nidereitter to lucrative multi years deals.
But if we could somewhat convince a Forsberg or Hertl to sign, I wouldn't pass on the opportunity.
Like : "Sorry Fil, thank you for being interested but we need to draft high one more year to hopefully get a player that becomes at least as good as you"
Of course in an ideal world we would draft high for next 2 drafts THEN sign such a type of player. There's no guarantee such players would be available then/willing to sign with us. So when the chance pass you by, you take it rather than hope for more later.
Either way, nothing even says we'll end up signing a relevant UFA anyway, it's all wishfull thinking and speculations at this point.