The money issues is the returns when we trade guys like Spezza, not the root of the decision to trade him in the first place. The reality though is you don't have to think about specific events like the ones I listed, it's the general tone around every move this team has made over nearly the last decade. From always opting for inexperienced coaches, always needing trades to either be cost neutral or cost saving, throwing in picks to save money or get the other team to retain. I'm not holding onto the past, I just see the patern, and how it clearly hasn't changed.
Honestly, since the end of the playoffs last year, what did this team do to try and build on that momentum? They hid the fact that they knew MacArthur wouldn't likely pass his medical (I don't really blame them for keeping quiet here) didn't try to replace him and lost Methot to the expansion draft and again didn't try and replace him (unless you thing Oduya was a reasonable effort to replace him).
You are looking for justification.
What did they do, what did they not do, what they should have done, the reason is, because of this...blah blah blah. Many are like this and this is a general comment, not you directly on what i am about to say.
I' m saying fans shouldn't be constantly looking for justification. At some point you need, dare i say it, LOYALTY.
Sometimes fans don't agree with the way the team is built, or players that play more than others. Fans in other Canadian cities still go . And suffer. But we, not them, also get to enjoy epic highs like last playoffs. Even in spite of constant cheapness as you point out. That is kinda how it goes.
Ottawa fans feel entitled to what cannot be provided. There isn't a board meeting where we can partake. At some point you just have to cheer and hope for the best.
And after last year's playoffs, I thought they would have earned the fans support.