Briere has to work with what he inherited. Which wasn't a lot.
Holmgren made the decision after 2018-19 to try and win it with a core of (2019-20 ages)
Giroux (32), Couts (27), Voracek (30), TK (22), JVR (30), Lindblom (23), Laughton (25), Patrick (21), Simmonds (31), NAK (23)
Provorov (23), Sanheim (23), Ghost (26), Hagg (24), Gudas (29), Myers (23)
It wasn't good enough for a long run, some bad luck (Lindblom, Patrick), some 30+ guys falling off the cliff (Voracek, Simmonds). No organizational depth.
Even if CF makes better moves, there wasn't enough talent to be a SC contender.
Just enough to be mired in mediocrity.
Between Hextall's poor use of 1st and 2nd rd picks his last couple years, and CF trading a draft's worth of picks to "win now," the cupboard was empty.
The real villain was Holmgren, he didn't want to make the tough decision to rebuild, so he punted, hired CF and AV, and then retired.
You need both quality at the top and organizational depth to withstand the inevitable injuries.
That takes time and numerous drafts. And a little luck and some smart low cost moves.