You pointed out Lou adjusting to the cap didn't you?Again, I am not talking about the 90s and early 2000s Lou, so I am not sure why you bring up 3 decades. The Salary cap came into effect in 05-06. What success has Lou had since then? The 2012 Devils made the Finals, sure.
The Isles went on a run during the Covid year IIRC.
Otherwise?
So I brought up 3 decades to show all the GMs and teams that won absolutely nothing pre cap or post cap.
May have nothing to do with not adjusting well to the Cap.