I’ve come to the point that I believe that Maurice was the right fit initially when hired for our team but he no longer is. He came
in after Noel and felt like the new leader of the team. Picked a grind it out system and we made the playoffs but knew that style wouldn’t be successful long term. Then made some changes but asides from 2017 when we were an unexpectedly good team there just has been an astounding lack of cohesion and consistency. What did we have that year that we don’t now? I think either the players like Maurice too much or vice versa and this group needs to be led in a different way. No idea who a better available option would be but status quo isn’t working. Even wheeler is back to his days of searching for confidence a la the annual 15 game struggle to start the season under Noel. Something is just off. And as a rule this year goaltending hasn’t been the issue. I don’t know where to exactly point the finger on the struggles but we have established a downward trend for sometime now, a lack of team identity (or more accurately a good one), very little consistency (the good kind), no real obvious systemic changes, very few times where the team plays great but just doesn’t get the results and very few guys posting career seasons. Something’s been different and the timing on it happened right after we lost to Vegas in the playoffs. Seems like a million years ago we won that first game in the WCF and I’d like a fresh set of eyes in to figure it out.
Mostly agree. I think Maurice was the perfect coach at the time. We needed someone that would be ok playing a lot of very young players with little NHL experience and he did an admirable job of getting these players where they are today (Laine, Ehlers, Connor, Morrissey etc...).
Now, that we have a very good forward roster that has developed quite well, he doesn't seem to quite know what to do with it. We have defensive gaps without a doubt, but that doesn't excuse the poor play by our forwards. Players have to take responsibility for their own play, but a coach has to be able to lead and push players to perform at their best.
It might be as simple as a new voice. Like you, I don't know who that 'new voice' would be.