But not too often game-changers better than those two (or at least the meme of those two - Granlund is more a depth piece than a top 6 piece) come available and we are in a position to afford them.
To be fair, Hextall did try for JT Miller. And was reportedly in on Chychrun.
Not too often you find a team in the position Toronto was in with Kessel.
You’re missing my point.
We’ve focused on “Jack of all trade” players with our assets rather than focusing on actual needs. We focused on players that put up top six numbers in top six usage.
Instead we need to be spending assets on players that are game changers. Since JR I look at the types like Mark Stone, Ryan McDonagh, etc that have moved for prices we paid for Zucker, Brassard, etc.
If we aren’t doing that and this isn’t hindsight I’ve been saying it for four years is we need to focus on players that play defined roles in our bottom six. It’s why I’m not high on the Nylander signing. Nylanders in our bottom six has been a trend for four years. Spend the assets we waste on Granlund, Kapanen, etc and get a piece like a Coleman, Paul, or Jeannot.
If you are going to focus on building a defensive bottom six whose goal is to keep the ice even when our are stars on it focus on making a bottom six that punishes the other team and can actually play those minutes effectively.
There is no definition of roles on this team anymore. It’s just a bunch of “all situational” players that can’t play any situations great:
