Francis was credited league wide for the off season he had. It didn’t work out as well as hoped so of course he’s accountable to some level but the vitriol being spewed around here is pretty misplaced. He’s done a good job overall. The only move this off season that I really didn’t like was Kruger, I watched him play a lot last season and was flat out unimpressed. Hawks fans for the most part were rejoicing which is typically not a great sign for a fourth liner. They were upset about Darling, and most people around the league said it was a shrewd move. I had also watched him play and wasn’t particularly impressed but there was so much good will around the league it seemed like it had to be a good move.
Williams and TVR have been exactly what we hoped they would be. Williams has been better offensively than I thought he could be for us, and clearly has a positive effect. Clowning Francis for the work he did when two of the 3 important moves were flat out good doesn’t add up. Kruger was always for depth and the fourth line.
Maybe all the deals were related and taking Kruger was always part of the cost of the other deals. If so, fair enough. Kruger wasn’t bad, he was just void. He didn’t cost us any games, so as a “bad” move it was pretty limited.
Darling is the only whiff. A potent one for sure, but there was always a question mark. He was brought in to hopefully supplant Ward and definitely stabilize the position. He hasn’t done either. If it had just become a capable back and forth pairing it without Darling flat out stealing the position it would’ve been great, though I expect others still would’ve complained. True starting goalies generally don’t get only 4 million, both sides of the negations had some trepidation it would seem.
It wasn’t a perfect off season, but the one move that seemed to get the most positive impressions from everyone else is the one that missed. Williams and TVR have been very good additions to me. Darling is going to be an issue, but we’re a better team than we were last year and exactly placed where we hoped we would be going into the season. For all the negativity this season has been a success so far.
