Now that we are at the quarter pole, I think its time for some honest assessment of the off season, and I'll extend it back to last years trade deadline.
Out: Mittelstadt, 2nd round pick , Savoie, Okposo, Skinner, Girgensons
In: Byram, Zucker, McLeod, Malenstyn, Reimer, Aube-Kubel, Reimer, Lafferty
Overall, some solid additions. Byram, Mcleod, and Zucker have all been good. Reimer and NAK get an incomplete so far, and Lafferty/Malenstyn have been OK. But of the players that were added, none have really bombed.
The issue is Adams doubled down on his core forwards and despite a lack of on ice success. Swapping Mittlestadt and a 2nd for McLeod and Byram was OK, but Zucker wasn't enough. He doubled down on Joker, Samuelsson, and Clifton, despite none of them showing they could be a consistent top 4 defender. And then as far as in season blunders, he doubled down on Levi being NHL ready despite it cost him nothing to simply send him to the AHL and risked Reimer to waivers.
Cozens and Quinns struggles have been difficult, but overall,its the unforced errors and lack of ability to make significant additions that have been the issue so far.