They should've never killed off Jennifer Munson. At least if they wanted her off the canvas maybe she could've went off to NYC with Johnny and Dusty to live for a few years. Then she returns to Oakdale for instance if BRO got in trouble and Paul is the one who calls for her to get them out of trouble because of her designs.
Also, I wished they would've put more value on the Hughes family in the latter years as well. I would've loved if a teenage Hope came to stay with Grandma Kim and Bob due to Andy nor Denise being able to control their now rebellious daughter. I can see Kathryn Hays relishing to say "Kiddo" again. As well as Margo who is Hope's aunt could've been someone she confide in too. She, Faith, and Parker could've been a teen unit.
I thought Jade would've work like you said a few years ago if she was spread more across the canvas evenly. Maybe Carly could've took her under her wing like Lisa used to with all of the waifs and stays in Oakdale. Her just being there to come in between Will & Gwen and be bitchy with Maddie and be Luke's bestie cousin.
Let's not get into them killing off Bryant Montgomery. I would've loved it if it was revealed he was alive that Tonio Reyes was holding him hostage. I'm sure Peter Boynton wasn't going to bankrupt them if they would've done this story in 2004/2005.