I didn't realize the hockey universe had bequeathed the definition of rebuild to your own whims, which is what you're doing by stating "none of this shows me anything he was rebuilding".
Verbeek is doing the same thing Murray was doing in his rebuild, finishing weak to accrue top prospects and waiting on them to develop. That's what rebuilding is.
Why didn't Verbeek also trade away Rico, Silf, and Fowler at the 2022 TDL? If we're to abide by your definition of a rebuild is the team to be torn down, then Verbeek isn't rebuilding? Rico netted a 1st round pick years later. Fowler got a 2nd round pick. Guess the definition of rebuild is "ScarTroy fluid".
One of the reasons why Verbeek traded for Trouba is to be that veteran layer presence after Gudas is gone. Killorn is one of those veteran layer presence with his 4-year contract. Strome and his 5-year contract is also one of those veteran layer presence. Welp, Murray had those types veteran layer presences already in place. He was waiting for the youths to make their way to the NHL. Things looked very bright in 2021-22 because those vets did provide ample sheltering and support. Verbeek is still trying to figure out how to provide ample sheltering and support for our youths.
Your recollection of the 2021-22 season is on par with many on here such that you don't even know that season at all. You scoff at that 17-game set, but don't have damned clue about that season.
2021-22 Season
- Nov 16th: 10-4-3 (23 pts) and 1st in Pacific
- Jan 31st ( at all-star break): 23-16-9 (55 pts) 2nd in Pacific
- Mar 13th (at TDL): 27-25-10 (64 pts) 6th in Pacific (4 pts away from a playoff spot)
Manson was on IR for 12 out of 14 games since All-Star Break. Verbeek didn't try to help the club and sat on his hands. Upon returning from IR, Verbeek let Manson play 2 games and then traded him. Murray would have tried to acquire a shutdown RD on the cheap.
As for waiting for prospects, we saw a lot of good things happen in that 2021-22 season:
- C Zegras broke out for 61 pts and 23 goals in his rookie NHL season.
- RD Drysdale's offense popped off for 32 points and lasted 81 games in his rookie NHL season.
- G Dostal played for the Gulls and Ducks in his first season on NA ice.
- C Mac was tearing up the OHL (championship), Mem cup, and WJC-20 (gold and MVP).
- NCAA left d-men Thrun and LaCombe looked great as both had 30 or more points. Also, Verbeek tried to sign both after their junior season.
- LD Zell won his first of two WHL Def Player of the Year awards.
We thought we found our future 1C and 2C with Z and Mac. Drysdale would be Robin to Lindholm's Batman. Fowler was being utilized as an OFD with Manson the shutdown guy. The future in net was here in Dostal. And we started hitting on our defenseman again once we started doing balanced drafts in 2019.
Verbeek's own Words
From
Detroit News:
Named general manager of the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, Verbeek is going to an organization in third place in the Pacific Division, in a wild-card spot, and past the early stages of the rebuild phase.
"This team doesn't need to be rebuilt; they're in the middle of their rebuild, so this is a great opportunity to take this team forward and turn them into a contender," Verbeek said during his introductory press conference. "You don't have to come in there and look to take a long time. There's good players in the NHL, good players in the minors and there are players that have been drafted. There's a lot coming to support the growth of this team. That's truly what I'm excited about."
Guess you should tell GM Verbeek that what Murray did wasn't a rebuild.