Out of the other 31 GMs in the league, who do you choose over GMBM? Can anyone name even 5 guys they would without a doubt choose to run the organization? His drafting has been terrible and he has to own that, but his pro scouting, and trades have generally been wins since he's been in charge. His contracts have generally been market value as well. He seems to have his finger on the pulse of the team in regards to needs. He waited a little too long to address the goal tending situation but I believe he is going to shrewdly retool us. I don't know if it will actually work but if you look at his moves leading up to where we are, it's hard to be upset. Do you take Don Sweeney? Yzerman? I'd take Sakic and JBB over GMBM but that's probably it. All successful GMs make mistakes and questionable decisions.
Finding Strome and Milano for free and signing them to solid contracts were great moves, both are still fairly young and should be here for the next 5 or so years. Trading for Sandin who is here for the long-term future looks to be a great move as well. I'm fine with NAK being our 4th line winger for the forseeable future too. These are minor moves, but these guys can all contribute on a deep playoff team. It's the "stars" who need to carry their own weight.
If Wilson re-signs and gets back to form then we have two top line wingers. If you run Ovi-Strome-Milano, I'd really like to trade for Debrincat or Ehlers with some of our capital, if we get someone like those guys then maybe you run Debrincat/Ehlers-Backstrom-Wilson, third line sign someon like Zucker-CMM-TJ Oshie, then bottom line of Protas-Dowd-NAK. Obviously Mantha and Kuzy are gone along with our first round pick probably. Defense is fine and goal tending is fine. I just know Backstrom and Oshie cannot be on the same line and that creates a problem, because unless Backstrom can regain *some* of his speed he has no business being on the second line.
I remember a few here decrying Backstroms contract when it was given out, but the majority of us generally accepted the fact that he deserved it. TJ Oshie's term is terrible but the cap hit isn't *that* bad. We all know they are currently anchors and will continue to do so, and I wish they would LTIR, but it is what it is. We don't win a Cup without them. I remember having conversations where some of our loved ones never got to see them win a championship despite being lifelong fans. I want to see this team win and compete and I always will, but I am grateful to these players who have sacrificed their health and quality of life to some extent for our entertainment.
