Who didn't they pursue...hard to say. The UFA market was meh in terms of talent, but there were certainly guys who were more likely to make it through a full season than the two guys they signed. That is a game of Russian roulette they have been playing for a couple of years now that finally came due.
And there were reports both Gibson and Hellebuyck were "available" for trade. Were there other available that were not known I can't answer, but this organization likely wouldn't pay for any in trade due to their philosophy regarding that position.
good points + besides deal making, they haven't drafted well for the position. Ok, I'm still PO'd about last night so this is a rant.....
DW has put together a roster that is not suited for playoff hockey (I believe he has done a crap job in putting together the finishing touches on the roster the last 3 years + I keep on seeing how our drafting is special but where are the players?....outside of Nikinsin, he has drafted small players....who is going to protect them?)
Playoffs are much more physical + you typically need outstanding special teams (I exclude LY's advance due to luck of the draw.... Isles took us to 6 because they were physical but not talented & Jersey is not physical....FL games were damn close but their "big" guys were difference makers, ie Tkachuk and Barkov...our ST have been poor in playoffs with PP meh & PK leaky against the good teams, ie Rangers & Bolts)
btw: I'd prefer that our 4th line have a Jeannot or Watson on it because we have 0 players that will protect and/or are tough. I've mentioned this a couple of times but it pissed me off last night that Noesen had 3 Bolts around him while the rest of the Canes just waltzed to the bench leaving him alone. Roster:
Forwards
Aho-TT-Jarvis - little guys who disappeared last night
Necas-KK-Svetch - two are big but they are told not to fight + if Svetch breathes on someone he gets a penalty
SMF - great checkers, but not "tough" players nor fighters
Drury-Noesen-Bunting Noesen isn't afraid but doesn't mix it up much and when he does the balance of Canes run away to the bench
Defense
Slavin-Burns. Burns is big but isn't physical, Slavin not his style
Skjei-Pesce Big, but not guys that hit (one every 10 games for Skjei, never by Pesce) or fight
Orlov-Chatfield-TDA Nope
FWIW: Bolts have at least 3 top level protectors for their smaller guys + the intimidation factor for balance of opposing line up.
Rant out......sorry for the spew.