Didn't know that Skate Canada with Trusova, Kihira, Tennel, Young You, Yelim Kim and co. is not "packed".
Zhenya had the 6th highest SB last season (225) and only skaters who have ultra-C elements (3A, Kamila and Rika) managed to beat that last season. Even with her messed up SP but great FS at Skate Canada she would have medaled bronze at Cup of China and Skate America with her total score, with the extremly packed Skate Canada it was only 5th. She was in fact at some of the most packed events last GP season. She would have been placed much higher at different events. Btw Zhenya's SB of 225 last season was higher than her SB during her 2015-2016 season, when she won Worlds, which so many love to quote her as one of her best seasons.