Joined: May 2017
Posts: 351
Likes: 55
The Toews contract isn't as terrible as some make it seem.
It's great to imagine a "perfect" GM, and it's easy (plus fair) to point out Bowman's missteps. I don't think you're looking at the right ones, nor are you remembering a lot of decisions were based on the cap. I thought the Bickell contract was bad, but they had the room, and his Multiple Sclerosis was just beginning to onset so it wasn't known until after the trade. They needed to move him, and the price was Tuevo.
I disliked seeing Versteeg go after the 1st Cup, but you do realize he's been oft injured and hasn't scored 20 goals in a season since 2011-2012, right?
I also think you're forgetting that Q didn't want to play Leddy. I know Leddy is talented, got a big contract from NYI and I don't understand why, but Leddy was firmly a bottom pair-preferably 7th defenceman for Q. Look at the average TOI in the playoffs his last two season with the Blackhawks.
The moves I'm more critical of are the trades. He needed to trade Sharp to get under the cap, but Garbutt & Daley in return? And then he flipped Daley for Scuderi's cap hit? Yeesh. Q disliked Leddy and he was about to get more expensive, but Pokka hasn't panned out. Did they really need Vermette? I know he scored a few winners, but was he worth the picks they traded for him? Idk.
But at least Bowman made moves to win Cups. Look at Yzerman in Tampa. Built this great young team, widely lauded for convincing a few stars to sign below market contracts & remain w/the team, stared down a pouty young player...how many Cups? Did they make the playoffs last year? What deadline moves have been made that put them over the top?