I’m not surprised on Boeser. Management needs to hit a home run and they only have a couple of swings.
I think you’re right on their thinking, but it was an incredibly risky approach when they were banking on three defenders in their thirties who are probably bottom pairing guys on a good team to maintain their level of play and the fourth guy was a 28 year old with one NHL season. And there was absolutely no depth behind them if anything went wrong, as it inevitably did. If not for Brannstrom clearing waivers it would have been even more ugly.
They also take the blame for not stopping the bleeding when it was clear from the get go things weren’t working as they hoped.
I will argue, and did throughout the offseason, that it wasn't incompetence but a calculated risk that they'll be able to acquire the defencemen they need in-season and the offense and goaltending will be able to hold the fort until then. However, both their offensive centres showed up to training camp injured and determined to ruin the season, and then Demko and Joshua also came in to camp unable to play. It was a risk that backfired in the absolutely worst way possible.
And now the defence looks like a strength; personnel, structure, and cap hit-wise.
I think you’re right on their thinking, but it was an incredibly risky approach when they were banking on three defenders in their thirties who are probably bottom pairing guys on a good team to maintain their level of play and the fourth guy was a 28 year old with one NHL season. And there was absolutely no depth behind them if anything went wrong, as it inevitably did. If not for Brannstrom clearing waivers it would have been even more ugly.
They also take the blame for not stopping the bleeding when it was clear from the get go things weren’t working as they hoped.