I think he may have been referring to the early Hasek years where the team was talented, but I would say not above average. Without Hasek I doubt they make the playoffs. I'm not counting 1993 when Hasek didn't play much, if I recal correctly, until the playoff and only while Fuhr was hurt.
In 1994, 1995 and 1996 they were pretty terrible. In 1997 they were not very talented and very hard working and Hasek was really at the top of his game. 1998 and 1999 speak for themselves. I agree with you those teams were above average by a lot and would have made the playoff without Hasek. I don't think they make the ECF and SCF in 1998 and 1999 without Hasek.