You don't even have to go that far back. In 2014-15, they traded Spezza away after missing the playoffs the previous season, leaving Turris and MacArthur as their two best forwards. They still made the playoffs. I'd say Stone and Duchene are much better than Turris and MacArthur.
Yeah a lot of people like to poke fun at them but honestly looking at them they aren’t down right horrible like some people think. Th PR needs serious work but the team in general isn’t the worst and many could surprise people like white and brown if they make the team even Chabot and to a certain degree Tkachuk although if it were up to me I’d send him to the O for the season