Originally Posted by
rednex50
The first 3 years was Darryl May, who other than Moller, Howse and Sundher, wasn't really able to draft talent and bring that talent in. Jonathon Parker was drafted, and outright released before going to the Giants, Seattle and blooming in PA. He was good at listing good talent though (Holden, Gore, Friesen, Potter and Santorelli for starters).
When Habby came after season 3, he more than doubled the scouting staff, made gutsy trades like MacKenzie for instance, in an attempt to better the young talent and add with the experience of Howse, Horak, Maning, Einhorn, Gore. He basically had to start from scratch at the beginning of season 4, which is why you saw soooo many guys from season 3 released or moved in season 4. Season 4 surpassed many people's expectations, including almost knocking off the power-packed Ams team in the first round.
Season 5 was our best shot at doing damage, but we didn't have the depth needed. Manning was suspended for 7 games on a call that I still think was BS. Pauls broke his leg that he was forced to retire over, Traber broke his ankle late in the season on a nastey head shock that the guy only got a couple of games on, Howse played injured, Manning played injured etc. Habby should have been a buyer last season...but now that I look back on it, was probably told not to be a buyer as Porter would have wanted the transaction completed as soon as the team was off the ice...and a 2nd or a 3rd playoff round (without the guys busting a nut) would have complicated Porter and Burke's ideas that Chilliwack couldn't work. By the trading deadline, Porter knew they were selling and likely hand cuffed Habby into not selling the future to make a run for a "lame duck" city.
This is only year 3 for Habby. It is by far a better club than the Bruins were in season 1, 2 or 3. 3 was the worst season, due to many factors (Moller going pro unexpectedly, Santorelli pushed into Pro, Holden turned Pro, Pighen turncoated, Potter breaks his neck and thats just the beginning of the list).
Am I 100% happy with what Habby did? No. Season 4 was a rebuild and he surpised. Season 5 WAS supposed to be our push, and I think it was more Porter limiting him than Habby not willing to better the team. So season 6, in reality is his first real test season you can judge him on. It wasn't expected to be a big season, so he has delivered what was expected. Next season, we will begin to see if he has a handle on this team, or if he is over his head.
But I still expect them to miss the playoffs this season, and PG overtaking them late in the season for that final position.