Langway
In den Wolken
- Jul 7, 2006
- 32,382
- 9,097
I don't doubt that MacLellan doesn't have that power but, again, it's not a sign of a well-run organization to have these levels of power dysfunction and fundamental disconnects. It's hard to say that he's doing a great job by value spending his way out of their issues, particularly if their tactics don't evolve at all and there's a continued lack of accountability. If Trotz doesn't share his concerns then will he also be forced to spend yet more futures to give Orpik off the roster entirely (since otherwise Trotz would play him)?
You can put Duncan Keith back there and the options presented to him won't be any better so I think there's a fair degree of wishful thinking involved in these moves. Not that they've necessarily hurt themselves here but it seems like they're misdiagnosing the problem and kind of lazily believing in the most convenient solution possible (ie. swapping out parts and not the fundamental execution itself from top to bottom). More mobility will help them get back quicker and at times skate it out but breakouts IMO will remain an issue regardless of these two moves. If Mac as a GM can't get his coach--even if he doesn't actually want him--to enact particular improvements in their game then is he really the manager to lead them? It's not exactly a recent development that he's disagreed with Trotz and even if it is a forced marriage he as a GM should have tools in his arsenal to measure progress within their game and maintain accountability.
There's a real accountability issue when it comes to these areas most of all because it really isn't just 44/22 that have struggled. Only three players have a CF% over 50 this month. Only Vrana has a FF% over 50. Orlov (17) and Carlson/Niskanen (16) have been on the ice for the most goals against. They can try shaking up the pairings but I'm not sure it matters much if they continue to just try to play an easy game and nothing more.
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