The point is not that they started with nothing and this is ultimately your blindspot, along with other people, where you fail to realize that what we had wasn't close to righting the ship by simply developing them. Even with them on board, we had multiple holes to fill and it would take more than 3 drafts 1- to get the players we need, 2- to let them integrate the lineup and develop, which there are only two of so far, Slaf and Lane.
Okay, I have a proposition. First let's find out the topics with which we are in accord and agree:
1. "They didn't start with nothing" which = they started with some valuable players/prospect that would've otherwise been necessary to pick-up during the rebuild.
2. "There were multiple holes to fill on the roster" = the roster they inherited needed significant churning
3. "and it would take more than 3 drafts..." = it takes time before the products of the tank, specifically them, are contributing to the roster
I agree with all three statements.
I think where we have issue is, as always online, with the definition of
Rebuild and the definition of
Tank. I didn't say the
rebuild is over, you interpreted that from what I did say, which was: "
The tanking phase, ie Management Shrugs Its Shoulders After Losses, should be over". Not the same thing mon chum, not the same thing.
This doesn't come even close to re-establish a solid asset base. This nonsense where you decided its enough is pure fantasy and irrealistic.
Even with Laine, Dach, Newhook, Slaf and Hutson added we're still far from done. Still need to add more talent and that talent needs to be developed.
Before Bergevin left, our asset base was already subpar and our D was very old and the most problematic of our components. It's still problematic today and one would be foolish to expect that kind of problem to be fixed in 3 years time.
We've only added two players from our first draft. They are still very young. This isn't even close to enough to fill the holes.
I did not say the
rebuild is over. I said Tanking should be over. It is my opinion, you're welcome to disagree with
that statement, but your comments above are basically irrelevant to my sentiment.
I don't even disagree that we shouldn't be buying (which is what you imply with "solid asset base"). I don't disagree that we're still far from done. I don't disagree that we need to add more talent, or that we need a better 'asset base', and that it's a longer-term process. And obviously I don't disagree that two players from the 2022 draft could possibly fill all our holes (forgive the innuendo).
You're welcome to disagree with me on the tanking comment but I don't see the arguments that lead one to think the Habs 1) intended to tank this year or 2) even
should have planned to tank this year.
Suzuki is in his D+8. He and the rest of this roster need to start playing with different expectations. MSL literally said this today. HugoMo said "in the mix" over summer. They traded for Laine. I don't think I'm out to lunch when saying the tanking phase is over. You're welcome to change my mind.
