For the paywalled, the 5 thoughts are:

1. Drury's big off-season plans may have been thwarted so far, with only Smith and Carrick the new guys. Anaheim and Winnipeg might be looking to make deals, but things are relatively quiet league-wide right now.

2. Schneider is close to signing a bridge deal for 2-3 years in the $2.5M AAV range. Lindy and the team both seem agreeable to a $4M AAV, but not quite on term. So there's a little work to be done there.

3. A Trouba buyout is unlikely, and his agent appears to have out maneuvered Drury on the trade front. The team dynamic is a little messy right now, but Trouba is likely here for one more season. 2025-26 is a different story.

4. Jones looks set to finally get his chance as the puck-moving dman we desperately need. However, concerns remain about his size and ability to clear the front of the net.

5. The top 6 is set with Smitty the younger filling the RW spot on Mika's line. It also looks like the team is going to rely on Chytil to return as the 3C with Cools and Kakko his wingers. If Othmann or Berard make the team, Cools might slide down to the 4th line with Carrick and Vesey. Rempe and Edstrom could also look at expanded roles this season. Apparently there were some trade offers for Kakko around the draft, but Drury deemed them too low. Meanwhile, Berard will be training with his pal Matty Beniers this summer.