Glad to see you have an idea on how to temper expectations. If you expected much more than this, perhaps you should Google delusional.
I never expected tons of wins or playoffs, as I've said. But when you are paying a veteran 29-year-old defenseman $4.5 million over the next 6 years, I think it is reasonable to expect him to not pass the puck directly to the other team every single game.
Same with the 30 year old veteran forward also making $4.6 million, and the 25 year old who has been in the league 2007 and is being paid over $3 million. Same with a 39 year old veteran making over $2 million who was brought here specifically to to mentor and be an example, and so far, is basically an example of how not to play.
I don't understand why you and other posters act like this is a team full of kids and we should just be happy they are trying. Most of the players on this team are 24 and older with significant NHL experience:
Dubinsky - 26
Umberger - 30
Tyutin - 29
Nikitn -26
Wiz - 28
JJ - 26
Aucoin - 39
Prospal - 37
Foligno - 25
Anisimov - 24
Dorsett - 26
D mac - 31
As far as I'm concerned, Cam, Calvert, Johansen, Moore, these are the "kids" and can have as much room to grow and learn as they need. I haven't and won't complain about anything those guys do, they are the future and mistakes and low production are part of development.
As for all of the above - when you are a 25 year old or older professional athlete, "effort" is a basic expectation, not something to be lauded. Also, as vets, these guys should know better than to try fancy and risky passes that are leading to turnovers and goals for the other team.
Just because we aren't the most talented team, doesn't mean we can't at least play smart. We could have won last night's game, and we could have won the Chicago game if our veteran, highly paid players, either didn't hand the other team the puck and give them easy scoring chances, or put up some production themselves.