Summer of 2023 was nothing to write home about either, although I did and still do like the DeBrincat trade.
Signed Daniel Sprong, Klim Kostin, Alex Lyon, J.T. Compher, Christian Fischer, Justin Holl, Shayne Gostisbehere and James Reimer.
Sprong, Kostin, Fischer and Reimer didn't work out, but didn't really cause any harm other than the opportunity cost of not finding others instead. Holl made no sense from day one. Compher has disappointed. Gostisbehere matched or exceeded expectations for 1 year @ $4.125mm, but then was lost after one season due to cap management priorities - 35 pts in 56 games this season is a bargain for Carolina at $3.2mm per season. Lyon was a solid signing, good value at $900k/yr.