But money is part of this equation.
If bad contracts weren't handed out, we would have had money to shore up defensive depth and fill the roster spot with a likely cheaper alternative.
The point of getting cheap value contracts, and identifying those players is part of pro-scouting/GM-ing. If we pay (over) market value for depth players, it comes and bites us. ex. Nick Foligno at 3.8 as a depth forward vs. Corey Perry at literally a 1/3 of that. Hate to keep bringing him up, but it's a perfect of paying too much and not getting enough. There's a few other examples on this roster, and you add that up, and you are looking at a team struggling to stay compliant when healthy.
Not suggesting we would have gotten Perry, but that's where using our money wisely comes in. You use that money wisely, you have the space to fill the important positions; and sign cheap depth.
Is Mike Reilly a good depth piece, better than Kampfer or Tinordi? Sure. Is he worth his contract? Recent unclaimed waivers suggests no.
Like I said, Sweeney likely has draft picks and some floundering prospects to help pay for his mistakes. And honestly, I expect those to be used to fix them. Again.
