i honestly don't understand what the problem is with increasing the size of the nets. The players are bigger than ever, the goalies are bigger and better, more athletic, the equipment is bigger. the games evolves. its not the first change ever made to the game. seems like a no-brainer.
Of course this team isn't ready. That's what pretty much everyone has been saying. But you can't just stay the course with this group... and there is nobody coming up that is going to make a difference in 3 years either.
If you want to maintain at least a middle of the pack type of team, help on the blueline is vital. And you aren't going to get that by trading away our crap.