People sometimes say a team with Datsyuk and Zetterberg would never be a bottom dweller, so Holland gets little credit for keeping the team afloat.
But then I guess what's the excuse when you have Stamkos, St. Louis, and Lecavalier. They should be a playoff team if nothing else. But in fairness, Yzerman should get more time. Still, it's worth keeping in mind even with a possible generational talent like Stamkos things can go south.
Wasn't their goalie the major problem? Wing's drafting has been fantastic for a while now. D+Z provide Selke level defense, each on their own line, while putting up a PPG pace. Howard is a great goalie, top10 starter in the league.
I give Holland a ton of credit for drafting/development. He's found a ton of talent picking late, consistently for decades now. His major problem is being overly loyal and way too risk averse in trades/signings. But with his drafting, it's not that much of a problem in a league where over half the teams make the playoffs. Good drafting/development = you will make it.
But you have to admit, if you take Z/D out of the equation here, even if we replaced them with the best pipeline talent we have coming, it's not a playoff team. We barely squeaked in this year winning 4 in a row. Does that happen with those two guys? I doubt it very much.
Yzerman doesn't have Babcock behind his bench down in Tampa, either. Coaching hasn't exactly been awesome down there.
Which is another change Yzerman made. He's seeing the problems and attempting to fix them. Let's see if his judgment as to solutions are good.
How can you say that? Blashill is basically Babcock Jr. He's done good things with the Griffins and he sounds identical to Babcock to boot. The only difference is less hair
