Quote:
Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy
They went from 66 to 91 to 103 points and a division title with a solid young core of Ekblad, Barkov, Huberdeau, Trocheck, Smith, Bjugstad, Petrovic, Kulikov and Gudbranson, none of whom were even 25 years old yet.
Then for some weird reason the owner promoted their AHL head coach to associate GM mid season, then full on GM at the end of the 103 point season. Rowe then went on to make a bunch of questionable moves in the name of analytics and the worst move he made was a panic firing of Gallant after a slow 11-10-1 start. We see how well that's worked out.
I'm not saying Tallon is some world beater, but I doubt they'd be in this big of a mess had he stayed in the GM seat. For starters Gallant would probably still be the coach.
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They didn't do anything weird in that off-season after Tallon left except for signing Yandle (who they used to replace Brian Campbell who left).
They traded Kulikov for Pysyk (not sure how this one worked out to be honest).
Signed Marchessault as a free agent which was a steal.
They locked up a bunch of their young guys to long term deals - Ekblad, R.Smith, Trochek.
Signed Reimer to back-up Luongo.
Gave up a prospect to get rid of the Bolland contract.
Really doesn't seem that bad.