Compete and desire didnt exist under the previous regime?
Of course they did, but I don't think you can honestly say it was a high priority for Gillis et al. I mean you can't prioritize everything, and looking at 1st round picks like Hodgson and Schroeder, compete level wasn't their calling cards. Unlike Benning who seems to mention compete level with every signing, and it's a pretty common attribute with his draft picks.
Imo the intangibles Gillis prioritized were versatility and loyalty. If you were a jack of all trades willing to sign within the internal cap structure, you were a Gillis guy. I don't say that as a negative, no disputing Gillis was at the helm for the most successful stretch in franchise history, so clearly he was doing some things right (at least at the beginning ).
The standard defence right now seems to be to create total false narratives about the Gillis regime and then compare Benning to those.
Nope, I didn't even mention Gillis. Further, I was and am pro-Gillis. The endless sagas and lack of graduating prospects during his tenure did get a bit tiresome, but still GMed us to our "golden period" and would have seized the holy grail if not for an insurmountable rash of injuries. I never feel the need to be anti-x just because I'm pro-y. I tend to leave that to you .
Anyways, no interest in a pissing contest over McNally. Gave my take on why Benning would walk away from a PMD prospect with size and skating, especially since GMJB has shown a preference to toolsy dmen. End of the day, we are already facing a crunch of young blueliners in Utica next season. Don't kn9w if there's room for the ones we have, never mind McNally. Benning wants to roll the dice on the prospects that will run through a wall to be a pro. McNally brings an intriguing skill set, no doubt, but I get being doubtful on how dedicated he ultimately is to the game of hockey.