that was a pretty good summation bleed and I'll try to be less specific. I think as fans we expected the team to pick up where they left off last year (at least when they were hot/top line dominating) in many regards while at the same time we expected improvement. the improvement can be seen but to a lesser extent to what we would like of course. it is fairly obvious that Muller, having had his camp and thereby "implementing his system", that the fans are watching the team play a very different game than what they are used to. to describe everything that I have observed and from my perspective would take too long but it's suffice to say that that new system is geared more for total team defence and in effect tends to stifle the dramatic offensive domination we watched at times last year, particularly from the top three guys.
I believe that this new approach of Muller's is going to take some time for the guys to catch onto if it's going to work overall, at all. this defensive concept has resulted in less offense from Jiri, Alex and Eric. short shifts that we are seeing are necassary when skating the entire sheet, backchecking hard and helping defensively deep in their own zone.
while it is still early, time is ticking fast. results have been o.k. so far but some balance is going to have to be struck. secondary offense is great and was desperately needed. I don't believe for a second that the top line has been playing poorly at all but that must be maintained and the top line has to start doing what they do best (not that their defensive play isn't great as well). it's complex to be sure, but a couple of things seem to stand out. as expected teams are focusing on the top line in ways I have described before imo. also, they can't be expected to be producing as offensively when their playing such a focused defensive style.
Muller swung the pendulum and now has to find the way to settle it back somewhat to begin to produce more offense. I certainly don't have the answers but Muller should. he has to figure out a way for the top line to regain that offensive domination that they are capable of. it's said that offense is the best defense and I think this team has the pieces to be a well rounded and complete team.
special teams have improved somewhat as well but, most certainly need more work.
I don't think I've been that harsh on Muller and recognize the things he seems to have done well. however, he is steering the ship and there is a lot of room for improvement. I have not called for his head or termination, and I will continue to give him time because it looks like he is steering the ship in the right direction. I expect him to be held accountable too and learn, adapt, adjust. they cannot be a one 'system' team just like they cannot be a one line team. so far so good but I do expect improvement from him as well, with him recognizing that the players *are* doing their best to execute his systems. I think that this team can do very well if the players can play up to their potential consistently.
that said, the top line must be given the flexibility to play the kind of game they excel at because this team needs those goals. that has been lacking so far and it's up to Muller to find a way to allow them to focus on their offense somehow within his new defensive game plan. hopefully that's yet to come soon and Muller views it as a process.
that's my opinion of what I've seen thus far, right or wrong.