I would believe that a lot more if the coach was someone who has shown the ability to improve the team tactically, structurally and skills-wise. Quinn is a good public speaker and motivator, but lacks in the hockey department. I can see exactly why he did a great job of recruiting players to BU, and his teams underachieved.
I also do believe that Kakko will improve, Fox looks to be one of the few exceptions to the problems the team has had and he should continue to improve, and Chytil can’t be worse than what we are icing. But a lot of this will probably also be offset by Kreider being traded. If we gain a top six forward late in the season with Kakko’s development, we’ll lose one with Kreider. Fast looks like a trade candidate in the final year of his deal, I wouldn’t rule out trades for Tony D, Georgiyev, maybe one or two others, as well. I think the improvements we’ll get from younger players adjusting to the league is going to be offset by the rebuild.
And it looks very likely that yet again the team is going to be losing points this season in the coaching department, as well as the player development department, so I’m not exactly convinced things are going to get better in season. The metrics early on have us as the worst team in the league or right there for last. Watching these performances so far, I’d say that’s about right.