Part of the problem? You're kidding, right?
And now that I'm on a real PC I can finally elaborate.
The past offseason saw big changes in the Coyotes, the old leadership (Doan, Hanzal and yes, Mike Smith too) went out and GMJC made a move that could be considered as win now by trading DeAngelo and the First Rounder for Stepan and Rantta. With the old leadership out the Yotes were looking for a new generation of leaders and I think the imagined Stepan to assume a leadership role and of course OEL to be the new Captain and face of the franchise. And herein lies my problem. The current fiasco of a season isn't solely to blame on Tocchet, in my opinion - and of course you're welcome to disagree- the total lack of player leadership playes a very big role in this dissapointment. Is it ok to critisize Stepan and Goligoski for their total lack of leadership but not OEL?
I am concerned, if the Yotes extend OEL for what he will command, that eats a huge part of the budget (the owners are still broke) and I'm not too sure that current OEL is worth that.
I personally see the lack of leadership as one of the biggest problem the Yotes have on ice and yes, OEL is a part of that problem. Maybe it's just not his character but the Yotes need him to be more of a leader than he currently is or they will have to move on, for financial reasons but also for on-ice reasons.
Now, feel free to disagree, but I am surely not kidding.