Don't understand the logic of re-signing Bones to the Nashville deal but not re-signing Dumo/Rust. I think Schultz, Dumoulin and Rust could have all gotten more in free agency
I was high on Bones and his fit in our room and in our top nine. He played heavy d-zone starts in both the regular season and playoffs and had the ability to go on offensive tears.
I also think the center hole is the hardest position to fill in the NHL. We could easily have gotten LW and D depth that puts us past Washington at the deadline and potentially have kept our 1st rounder.
Obviously, somewhat hindsight there, but I think Rutherford mistakenly moved on from what worked here and bought into what a lot of people have and still do that Rust and Sheary are what worked. I think Bonino and Cullen made Rust and Sheary more than those players made themselves. Not really mad about any of the contracts, but I wasn’t mad about the Dupuis, Scuderi and Kunitz contracts. They’re fair value, but they are definite role players tied up that maybe had a hot playoff or two.
Same thing with Schultz got enamored with a hot December and a solid playoffs and gave him term. Hornqvist as well.
None of this contracts are bad in a vacuum, but when you add them up I want fresh blood in the roster. It is why I’d move Kessel, Letang, whoever if we get a deal that helps us build some young depth over the next two years.