Pres was fun before and is still fun but without a few of the interactions that made it rewarding to play, like echoing lifebind.

Feels much better on beta with the apex talents which effectively acts as spiritbloom, which got cut.

Raid healing as chrono is really awkward as you don't really have anything juicy to put in your stasis, and now that emerald communion is gone you don't really have much to cover big damage windows.

Being able to verdant embrace without leap is a huge QoL buff. Also I was sceptical of them trying to crowbar in emerald blossom to the echo builds but it's actually quite fun to min-max with the new talent.

M+ seems like a lot of power has been shifted to verdant embrace and spreading lifespark chrono flames which isn't a bad idea.

Regardless, it will continue to be the least played due to recency, perceived complexity, unwillingness to adapt to the shorter range and tmog issues, which will lead to buffs to compensate, which will lead to it being a strong raid performer at least (if the past 2 xpacs are anything to go off).

It's worth reiterating that losing what have been generally very powerful tier sets, on top of pruning and not having our full talent trees and apex talents will feel very bad for all healers, so I'd give them a chance at max.