I have little doubt they're a big part of the problem. They held onto Iginla and the old core too long, rather than start a rebuild when it was pretty obvious it was time. Then the team tried to accelerate out of the rebuild too quickly. Every regime since Sutter has echoed the same 'just get in and anything can happen' rhetoric. Then there is the bizarre bargain bin coaching carousel where there are clearly better coaches available. Even Treliving started out as a bargain bin GM hire. Sure, they spent on Burke for a few years, but then they reversed course on having a GM and PoHO once Treliving needed a new contract.
Sure, they spend to the cap, but if they didn't do at least that they never would have got enough support to get a new building. Getting the new building was the endgame I think. Where they go from here is anyone's guess.
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