We knew the D sucks. They were bad last season too. The difference was Demko. Towards end of last season, Demko started to fade, then injured. That's why they didn't make the playoffs.
I'm not saying the team is good enough. It isn't. JR was correct when at the end of the season he said they can't rely on the goalie so much, wanted a better structure. He failed to upgrade the D over the off season, and nux goalies are no where like last season.