All teams didn’t have to play threw the same rules during Covid. That’s the thing. We only played 6 out of 31 other teams all season. And the Canadian teams were weak. We don’t make the playoffs if we were placed in any other division. That run was a lot of fun for a lot of reasons but there’s a big asterisk next to that season. Bergevin inherited a great core and did nothing with it. I like Suzuki and Caufield but they aren’t looking like the main players you would build a team around. They’d be better off as a support cast. The jury is still out on Hughes but we can’t pretend like he was given the same advantages when he started that Bergevin had. Bergevin didn’t have to spend years cleaning up another persons mess. He was even lucky enough to have a compliance buyout for someone like Gomez who was really the only trash that needed to be cleaned up. I’m sure Hughes would’ve loved to have one of those to clear one or the many awful contracts we’ve had the last few seasons.
Bergs said he built his team for Canadian division. Knew Ottawa and Flames unlikely to make it. He thought Oilers and Toronto were top heavy. We were built on heart, big heavy defense in front of good goalie. If it went long series he liked our chances. Against the Jets he thought our odds were 50/50. Once Sch was suspended in went in our favour. He figured odds good we get final 4.
Subban - Bergs said he had to trade him when his teammates never voted for him as our nominee for King Clancy Award. Dispite Subban big donation to local hospital. He said 20 men in dressing room wouldn't be wrong. Knew he had problems in dressing room. Subban seen Sedin do similar donation year before to win it. Oilers offered more skill but he turned it down because left big hole in his defense and still never addressed his leadership problem.
The bad contracts, trades, most GMs do similar. Hughes be no better if he had team Been to Final.
Hughes doing same, his moves no doing well. Look at his work?
Bad contract - He gave backup goalie extension with large raise. Made Allen untradable with any fair return. Might get a 4th instead of a 2nd. Unless he eats some of that contract.
Missed on trading Anderson last 2 deadlines for big return. Lebrun wrote article on trade return. He's probably untradable now.
Traded one of top two way forwards in game to Colorado. For Barron who has no idea how to play defense. Likely not going to be here long. Along with 60th overall pick in weak draft in depth. About 98% chance that's going to be zero.
Traded decent backup for Pearson. Who is 100% waste of cap hit. He's AHL fodder. Got a third but in terrible draft. It's nothing pick. Canucks sucked him in.
Traded solid asset for half of Newhook. Who is middle forward. Maybe a draw in that trade.
Traded 13+33 picks for Dach. Who is good player but piece of glass. Lot of talent available when those picks came up.
Traded Toffoli too quick. Flames got better return we did. Got a third liner but injuries again. Late first but used it on another smurf. Last thing in universe we needed. That trade not improve team much.Tofgoli gritty 35 goals. Step back team did.