To the OP: the only thing Francesco understands, is the $. Basically, Francesco continues to handcuffed his FO by chasing the mediocre middle cause it still a VERY profitable endeavor, despite the yearly results. The Hronek overpayment, is a familiar trade we had seen before; and he is not the shutdown defenceman that the capped out Canucks need cause those type of defenceman are only cheaply acquired, in the draft and having more lottery tickets in a loaded draft would had done more for the teams future.
Yzerman is the main architect of the Tampa roster and he sold high on Hronek (1yr to go before being an RFA) and quickly sold on a pending FA to be, in Bertuzzi. The timing of the Hronek gamble, does not match the rosters readiness to contend; and using EP & QH as the main reason to chase the medicore middle, is a just a way to deflect blame cause the same script to chase NHL Purgatory has been the main yearly strategy, years before they became a Canuck. It is all about Francescos' shortsighted view for short term profits vs winning building a team that is able to contend for a Cup; and after hearing Allvins very recent interview, it just cements that chasing the is still the main strategy.
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/569255