I didn’t read the article but when HuGo signed Slaf to his big extension, Hughes warned us all that he might take a slight step back this season. These guys aren’t dumb.
The team lacks depth . . . everywhere. As you said, this will take more time to fix unless a Panarin and Fox miraculously appear at the Bell Centre’s front doors and demand to play here. Highly unlikely.
Until he gets hurt again . . . If I can get Zegras on the cheap - unlikely - I'm doing it, regardless of his corresponding to our current needs or not.