It's pretty obvious the upwards of 33 out of 81.5m in wasted cap is really effecting this team.
Although some can be justified, this is rough to see it play out.
I think we all need to remember our young stars arrived far earlier then expected, 2 years from now we will have a clean slate to truly build around the core.
As hard as it is to admit the over achieving last year has really set unrealistic expectations on this team currently. Although we are better then what we have showed these last 3 games, And probably a #3 or 4 in the north division.. how much can we really expect out of the core with that much anchor in its current state?
We have to just let these contracts play out, no sense paying a premium to remove them when the initial timeline was 1 to 2 years from now to really start our build around the core. If these kids can pan out, alot of good, talented role players are in the wings over those next few years. Not to mention an absolute bulldog in podz.
Now we have to think too, Last year was a career year for alot of guys, Factor in a flat cap for the next few years... would a semi " down " year really be the worst thing?
I mean getting petey and hughes on fair dollar bridge deals would do wonders. As we are seeing these currently are not the 8m+ dollar players a large number of people seem to think. We are safe to see them closer to boeser money IMO.
Thats not to knock on them, it took mackinnon a couple of years to reach the level he's at. Petey is just not a game in and game out play driver just yet. However an argument could be made about hughes being one from the back end.
We cant trade half the team, but we can replace some of our coaching staff if the wheels continue to fall off. Obviously every year almost every team goes through a stretch like this, no need to throw the towel in.. things will turn around. The thing we need to be concerned about is this effort level when times get tough. The lack of discipline penalties when down a couple goals is IMO a sign of poor leadership. Looking at you coaching staff.
If im JB, i look to improve on the assistant coaches first. Newell has too much damn talent to be using such a static powerplay, and dont get me started on this collapse the net PK which gives them any looks they want. We have always struggled to defend against aggressive PK when on the PP, yet we can't do that back?? I just dont get it.
We have two very good goalies, its OK to trust them to make a save, getting out of position to collapse the net just makes us screen our own goalie or deflect it in our own net!
That is baumers game plan though, it has not and will not work. maybe in the AHL but not in the NHL.
When it comes to travis, He is obviously a good players coach. Well spoken. He's been growing with the group long enough, and given enough praise throughout the nhl to be giving a shot with some quality assistants for once. We need to stop treating everyone in this organization as a "Family", worried about hurting feelings, and act more like a business based on results. This is my take on things anyways.