KarmaPolice
Snack enthusiast
Every bet Chiarelli made this summer he's lost. LB as backup; Caggiula/Slepyshev/JP being regular, contributing members of the top 6/9; and Benning as a top four defenseman. It's hard to understand how a GM with over ten years experience thought this was a good idea.
That's sadly true. His ability to assess talent deserves to now deserves to be under very close scrutiny. He completely struck out this summer. The only good thing he did was the McDavid contract, but that should be considered a 'gimme' anyway, as any GM with McDavid would've done what it took to sign him for 8 years. But the Drai contract...unless he was under pressure from offer sheets coming in, it really should've been a bridge deal. And everything else you mentioned. Including bringing Gryba back as a #6, and even worse, Auvitu as our #7 Dman (seriously, Chia??). Just no real talent depth on D -- full well knowing that Sekera would be out for a long time, and even when he's back probably wouldn't be near where he was at last season. Just terrible GMing. There's no dressing it up to look better, either. It was just a horrible summer for Chia, and into the season. The coaching is also pathetic. They probably don't have all the tools they wish, but the PP should still be scoring more than it has with McDavid, Drai, Klefbom, etc. on the first unit. They got it done last year, and now just nothing. Teams seem to have our PP figured out, which tells me the coaching can not adapt very well or change tactics nearly well enough to compete with the true players this season (and probably looking past this season, too). They better be gone after this season is over at the latest. Chia can go, too. I think MacT would even be an upgrade, which is a scary thought.