However I am just saying that there comes a time when you can’t keep blaming coaches for a team’s failure. I don’t know if we’ve hit that point yet but we are now on coach #3 with this core and have 1 playoff series win. At some point we have to take a good long hard look at the players and realize if it’s the right mix and if they’re good enough. That time is coming.
What core though? It's only 4 players that have been here: Giroux, Couturier, Voracek, Simmonds.
There does come a time when players need to be held accountable, but 3/4 of those were top 10 in points before this game and the second best line in hockey. Team would actually be in contention for a lottery pick without any of the first 3, and who in their right mind wants to get rid of them, even ignoring lost value and whatnot? Those first 3 are still our core forwards up front long-term and will be vital to any Cup contending. That group is one of the only things screwed on properly with this team. Even with Simmonds, for all his flaws and looming trade situation, I seem to recall a healthy amount of people referring to him last year as our best forward or "true" leader or a player any contending team would want (validity of a couple of those statements not withstanding). He's the only part of the nucleus worth looking long and hard at.
The problem is otherwise terrible roster optimization and talent evaluation, from the GM down to the coach.
