vic wrote:
Gillis did a better job of bringing in players to complement the core than Nonis/Burke ever did.
He was able to bring in players like Malhotra, Samuelsson, Torres, Higgins, Ehrohoff, Hamhuis, Lappierer because he was able to sign The Twins, Kesler, Burrows, Bieksa and Lugongo to very cap friendly deals. All those player played big roles in the 2011 run as well as the years around.
Gillis also made the decision to let Naslund walk, which was huge - no way Nonis or Burke let that happen.
Compare that to Nonis/Burke when the WCE was the best line in hockey - Weinrich, Carney, Sopel.
Nonis/Burke did get some good players to compliment the WCE. They traded for B.Mo, Jovo, Linden, Salo and signed Anson Carter. They drafted higher than MG, but got some later round steals well, not sure MG was able to do that, (ie: the Sedins, Kesler, Edler, Schneids, Hansen, MayRay, Grabner, Bieksa, etc). Other than Hodgson, who is no longer in the league, can't really pinpoint anyone of significance that he drafted. He did get Hutton, Gaunce, Rodin and they may become good players I guess, but still too early to say. I'll give him credit for signing Tanev + Lack too.
By in large, I think MG inherited a team with a LOT of good pieces to make for a contender. He just added some minor pieces to it, but failed to add/develop top prospects to keep the machine going. One can argue that happens when u finish on the top of the standings every year though.