The team wasn’t good enough last year. The didn’t do anything to improve year over year (on paper).. It’s a fair and reasonable take to have. I get it.
Odd are, its going to be a very successful regular season once again in 24-25- I’d wager not a Presidents Cup season, but not scrapping to get a Wild Card slot either.. The gulf between good and very good isn’t huge.. the gulf between very good and elite is much larger IMO and I get the argument that nothing has been done to bridge that gap (on paper).. There are pieces here which would certainly support organic growth being “enough”- but we can’t ignore the potential for regression.
The Devils shook it up- on paper they look great.. But we don't play on paper. I’d have loved to see Trouba and one of the big 3 moved to give this core a needed kick in the ass.. But at the end of the day, it’s still a really good team who will take the ice next season.