I wasn't commenting on the trade or the team,just the player and the season he had.
The trade saw a return that even a 'green-horn' GM couldn't pass up,two 1st's for Hagle at the start of the 21-22 season was unthinkable and it's still stellar seeing his progress.........especially considering the state of the team's rebuild as mentioned.
The team will be bad for a few more years.also as mentioned,which allows me to pursue other interests BUT the 'opiate of the masses',otherwise known as Connor Bedard will fill the seats,sell jerseys and keep em glued to the TV regardless of W's & L's..........I might even tune-in myself from time to time to see the phenom.
Some teams like the NYR have performed quicker rebuilds and have become competitive and others like NJ,Buffalo and Ott are about to reap the rewards of more long-term rebuilds. NJ's about there with the outstanding, young players they've drafted and Ott has it's stud D-men and centers so I guess they're a lock too. The Sens already had their #1 in 26yro Chabot and the outstanding 20yro Sanderson when they acquired 24yro Chychrun on D,and 23yro B Tkachuk,24yro Batherson and the 21yro German stallion Tim Stutzel,who just might be the best young player in the game.........yet they're assured nothing. The Sabres have outstanding,young forwrds Thompson,Tuch and Cozens and brilliant,young D-men Dahlin,Power and Quinn.........they're assured nothing also. The Sens and Sabres both have other promising youngsters too and solid vets like Skinner and Giroux but both still missed last year. How all three teams do going forward should be a preview of the Hawks' future if things go right.
Some teams started from scratch and became the cream of the crop immediately like cup winning LV or found themselves one OT game seven goal away from the WCF in their 2nd season like Seattle.........no long-term periods of suffering necessary.
Edmonton and Toronto both have multiple drafted forwards who might be as good or better than Bedard.........Edmonton and Toronto are yet to meet in the SCF.
Scorching the earth and bottom-feeding for YEARS is one way to go about it and adding good,young players to an already competitive team is another. I'll try to hang around to see how ours' works out(LOL) and rely on that 'opiate' till then I guess.
I just commented on the player and the misconception that Chicago only lost a 'role player' with a little 'grit',Brandon Hagle has a LOTTA 'grit' but he's also one of the better two-way forwards in the game and will continue to improve under Cooper's tutelage.