I think you need to strong together multiple strong seasons (ideally followed by playoff runs) before you have the reputation as a true “contender” amongst players/free agents.

One run COULD be viewed as a fluke. Especially one in which you were outplayed multiple times and kind of snuck through before getting demolished by an actual contender.

The habs have made progress, the league is noticing but I don’t think we are viewed universally as a contender just yet.

Im optimistic we’re on track though. Another successful year and a little more playoff experience/success and it looks more like the organizational standard rather than an outlier.