That’s what happens, when you don’t have a GM hung up on red herrings like attitude, character and leadership. Next year the excuse will probably be the effect that the moons of Jupiter had on the team.
not saying that Kane never had any issues, but you stick with a young player with skill. SJ b benefited by willing to take chance on a skilled player with size and speed, who was viewed as a dressing room cancer. They also got Thornton cheap, because he was as perceived to be fragile by the Bruins.