Not surprised just frustrated a bit for having seen this once great franchise pick top 5 for three straight years. I do believe Hughes and Gorton have a plan.
The reality of the NHL in the post-05 lockout era is that if you don’t draft well, which usually comes with drafting early, you’re not going to compete and be a great franchise.
The only reason we had any semblance of success in the last 30 years has largely been on the shoulder for other worldly goaltending and catching lighting in a bottle in the 07 draft. Thats it.
A proper rebuild always takes 4/5 years, and here we are going into year 3. If anything we’re ahead of schedule due to some insanely good luck with already having Suzuki, Caufield and Guhle pre-rebuild.