They were a fringe playoff team who probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs in a normal season. Price was hurt long term and aging, Weber is likely done, and Danault walked. They had a great ride, but if you think they were close to legit coming into the year then idk what to tell you. They have some nice young pieces to build around but the playoffs were likely a 50/50 shot at best. I’m not saying they had to rip everything down to the studs but the patchwork team Bergevin put together wasn’t going to get it done. They needed more of a long term plan for the future. Bergevin was trying to slap a roster together just to slip into the playoffs.
I don't understand your logic. You don't want a tear down, but you also disapprove of short-term moves... what else is there to do?
Weber, Price, Byron, Danault, Price again, Kotkaniemi, Edmundson... It's been one blow after another. What kind of long-term plan would fix that?
He signed Hoffman to help with the Habs' issues on the PP.
He traded for Dvorak to ensure the Habs would have 2 top 6 centres signed long-term.
He signed Savard because Chiarot and Edmundson had worked out, and it would provide some relief for Weber's departure with Romanov hopefully covering the rest.
He whiffed on signing or acquiring a PMD.
Should he have signed Danault and traded Kotkaniemi? HF would now be talking about how shortsighted he is.