1. Team starts improving, especially defensively if Demko returns. Taking us into the mushy middle and out of any shot at Bedard. And for what? We saw from last season, that momentum does not continue from the end of one season into the start of another.
Exactly. Unless they are looking to move Demko and need to show teams that he is healthy (rumors floating).
2. Team is stlll floundering right up until the last game when we lose 5 - 2 to Arizona. The result of that could be even more devastating. It would mean that Tocchet may be the wrong man for the job. And he's not going anywhere with the owner already paying 3 coaches. And if Demko was playing and we were still losing, it would also signify that Demko still had questions as the #1. Or even if pundits said it was because of our D, it still would not be great for Demko's confidence.
I think it is pretty obvious now with 3 coaches in the last 3 years, that this is a roster construction issue. Good thing is Tochet is only signed two years, so even if he isn't the man for the job, it's not long term. By the time they are finished with this "2 to 3 year" build phase his contract will be up. Not worried about Demko's confidence, more so worry that he re-injures himself trying to play so hard in front of such a weak team AND the team starts uselessly winning.