If they can't "win" trades (really, most of the time break even, steals are rare, only so many idiots to go around) or draft well, it doesn't matter what strategy they take.
Look at the Rangers, they missed on #2, #7, #9, if Panarin and Fox didn't force their way to NY, and Shesterkin was the lottery pick 4th rd goalie, they'd be a bottom ten feeder indefinitely.
Or Detroit, or Buffalo, or . . .
The strategy is less important than the implementation.
Briere had a big win in his first major trade, Provorov & 5th and two salary dumps (Peterson, Johansen) for CBJ 1st, Colorado 1st, (2) 2nds and Grans.
Hasn't lost anyone of value
We'll see about the Gauthier deal, if they can turn around Drysdale, it's a solid deal (they also have Anaheim's 2nd, which is looking like a top 40 pick).
Gaither so far is nothing special, 29g 2-6 8 (ES) which prorates to 23 points.
We'll see how he progresses, but right now he's looking like a less physical version of Tippett.
Big fast volume shooter who's an adventure defensively.
Current draft position:
#13 (PHL), #18 (Col), #24 (Edm), #38 (Ana), #40 (CBJ), #45 (PHL)