Ag
Ding ding ding. This is what i've been bitching about all season.
You can be fine with DeBrusk walking. He was inconsistent as hell and by all accounts probably didn't want to be in Boston anymore.
What you CAN'T be fine with, is taking the 5+ million DeBrusk got and giving it to a Nikita Zadorov who is good for one big hit a game, but like 7 other miscues that put him in the red in terms of contribution. That 5+could have gotten you a decent top 6 winger with actual skill.
It's absolutely not revisionist. Doubly so when they were already very narrow on the wing depth wise.
Again, who was that top six winger that would have signed for 5 mil?
Who was available that is better than what we thought we currently have for that money??
I wanted them to sign a play making center in addition to Lindholm that could play in the top six, Stephenson? Maybe they tried but he wanted too much money?
IDK.
With that said, and lack of options, I understand why they wanted a physical presence on the defense.
Maybe not the best choice, but it only cost money, not immediate player assets.
An impulse buy.
Maybe they should have kept Ullmark with his 5 mil cap hit for the year
Maybe move at deadline?
When was the last time a big name goalie moved at the deadline?
He most likely would have walked with not return at season's end.
Meanwhile offer Swayman a 1 yr 5 mil bridge take it or sit deal on par with Ullmark.
Swayman gets paid next year when the team has more cap space.
The other concern was they needed to maintain enough cap space to cover an offer sheet to Swayman.
So they did what they did.
But no Kastelic and no Zadorov In this scenario.
All in hindsight.
And now back to reality ... Montgomery needs to figure out how to work with what we have.
Good luck with that.
And no confidence in his ability to do so despite the previous two seasons.
Time for him to go.
Due to executive dysfunction resulting in failed team strategic execution regardless of player talent and experience.
Future concerns ...
If people think this team is in trouble now, the real problem will be when Marchand retires.
Who replaces him???
Draft picks? Trades? ...
To fix, someone will have to go that will hurt initially.
There is no one currently on the roster or in the system that comes close to what he brings, age aside.
Keeping Debrusk as a stop gap/solution?
While quick with potential he was/is too inconsistent and established himself as a complementary player not worthy of the term and money.
At some point we need an infusion of top six talent.
Right now it doesn't look good.
Something has to give.