Kadri and markstrom are fine.
The tkachuk trade was good value. It was universally praised.
Fox didn’t want to sign. He was turned into lindholm
The gaudreau was a massive mistake.
He better have learned from that.
Gaudreau was coming off a couple of sub 20 goal seasons. He wasn't going to sign before with what he would have been offered to extend. This was his show me year and he exploded although he still might have moved even with a lesser season. The desire to head east was not previously reported so I don't see that as a GM problem., just bad luck. How much do you put out there in 2021 for this?
The Flames always wanted to extend Tkachuk long term and he wanted that as well at one point but the cap space wasn't there at the time and eventually he had other ideas. Also, Sutter was kind of a prick which may have been a driver for both leaving as you know the coach isn't going anywhere after 50 wins. Fox was never coming to Canada.
They were a 50 win club and Kadri and Huberdeau were right there for the taking. No way Flames ownership let them slip into a retool.
Having said all that, I don't know that Tree is the guy but not for these particular things. I don't know that he isn't either because I haven't heard his presentation outlining how he will fix all the Leafs problems. That is how you get the job.
What I would really like is for them to sign their experienced guy to a 4 year deal and then bring Tulsky on at stupid Leaf money as the heir apparent. Win-win. Come on Shanny make it happen!