Nobody with options is coming to Ottawa until they figure out their ownership, budget, arena etc.
That goes for GMs, coaches and players.
It isn't a surprise that literally every layer of the organization is people that: had no other options at the same level (Dorion, DJ, Pierre M if angling for GM, Matt Murray's massive contract) or had no say as drafted by the organization or acquired via trade under contract (Brown, Hamonic etc).
Any players that came here willingly did so as out of options and were overpaid: MDZ, Murray etc.
This isn't really true though.
Dadonov chose to come here as one of the top UFA that year. We probably gave him the best contract, but he still chose to come here and had other options
DJ was one of the more highly regarded assistant coaches and very much expected to transition to HC somewhere. He could have waited for something he felt was more ideal, but chose to come here likely because he thought he could be successful.
Zaitsev waived a NTC to come here, he chose to come here. He could have said no and stuck around in Toronto, seems like a good alternative option for him.
Holden extended on a very team friendly deal, no doubt he could have found another landing spot at that price tag
DelZotto allegedly had 5 other options, we may have paid a bit more than the alternatives (nobody but MDZ knows) but he certainly could have gone elsewhere.
Yes, we have a hard time attracting guys, but the narrative that nobody comes here willingly is hyperbole.
