A bit disappointing they couldn't aquire higher quality players, aside from the goalie, but I'm not surprised. Dorion left the team in a dire situation with little cap room, no veterans, no prospects, no picks, and a losing culture.
I said a bunch of times that I didn't see how Staois could possibly turn this thing around in the short-term unless literally everything goes right. Every player needs to be healthy, play at their best, the coaches need to work miracles, old guys have to have 1-2 more seasons in them. Etc.
To me these moves scream Plan A, while preserving plan B, which is a gradual and painful rebuild. Even the picks were Plan B type moves. None of the roster moves will have negative consequences 2-4 seasons from now. The only move that doesn't jive with that was the trade of the Boston pick, but you can probably get that back by trading the goalie for an equivalent pick/prospect, if it comes to that.
Overall though I'd say they'll be tougher, have more veterans, be better defensively and have better goaltending. Which is pretty much what Staois said was his goal. I think we all hoped the level of player in this roles would be better, but I don't see what assets Ottawa had to get those players.
Dorion screwed this team over so hard it isn't funny. Five high first round picks out the door on a rebuilding team for what amounts to absolutely nothing. That's completely insane.
Dadynov, Boucher, Duchesne, Chychrun, Debrincat. Five swings and five misses.
If just four of those picks were average to decent NHL players on cheap deals now or next couple seasons the team is in a much better place.
