For me, I like GMs that have a plan and execute it. That’s not to say that other opportunities, or flexibility for improvement shouldn’t come into play. What we’ve seen in the past from the Flyers is either not deviating when called for (Hextall) or trading for older players (Fletcher) without supplementing youth into the mix so we had a good mix year to year. I have no opinion yet on Bierre, as he started with a big trade 2 yrs ago, only to go slowly from there on. I think this year will be the start of what Bierre and company are made of.
Also, I don’t know why GMs are so fixated on trading their #1’s year after year, like they have no place in the NHL on their team is just wrong. I mean, how many number 1s have been traded for a player who is so, so thereafter. I love the Flyers getting number 1s for Walker and Laughton, but really, were they worth that. Yeah, they may hit the right player for one year, and get the Stanley Cup, but after that the cupboards are bare and the rebuild begins UGHHHHH. Look at Sakic at Colorado, he’s like Zito, but has probably a 60 / 40 success rate in the trades. For Zito, he’s probably hit at an 80 to 90% success record and has hit the casino on his trades in the last four years, so kudos to him for that vision and luck that has played out for them (e.g. no real injuries in playoffs). Bottom line, you have to have a vision for the team and have the courage to make the trades you believe will make the team better; there is never a 100% track record in making trades, and anything above 60 % would be considered good.