We are basically 2 years into the rebuild now (Bergevin was fired in November 2 years ago).. and we are ahead of the Sabres in the standings already. With only one player picked in the last two years playing and a whole lot of our best prospects yet to debut or establish themselves.. and many picks and future prospects yet to be used.
I don't know what your expectations are but based on waht you've been saying in this thread, you've grossly mischaracterized what a rebuild is, what it looks like, and what the timeline is realistically for a rebuild.
We aren't even half-way there.. and when I say half-way there, we aren't even half-way to the SHORTEST time a rebuild takes.
2 years into a rebuild and rebuilds take 5-8 seasons just to start making the play-offs consistently, let alone contend.
Almost all the assets from this rebuild have a timeline that goes back longer than 2 years.
That we need to add more talent through rebuilding is not what I’m debating. This is obvious enough
My expectation is for the team to at some point establish an identity or system that will lead to sustain success. The fact that losing has become ok, not showing up to the game ready, taking stupid penalties and making stupid decision on the ice without and consequences is my issue.
The fact that 2 years in, our coach still hasn’t implemented or improved on anything is an issue.
Pp is terrible
Pk is terrible
Even strength terrible
Defending in our own zone abysmal
Transition with any hope of attacking terrible
Vets severely underperforming
Favouritism for players like Matheson
Literally pond hockey is being promoted
You can blame the quality of the roster and personnel, but when established players play like shit here, you know there’s a bigger problem.
A perfect example is dandanov who was a non factor moving to different team and playing as a regular on a cup contending team.
Worse rosters are doing more than what we are doing. It’s a stagnant roster with no vision. And our coach hasn’t made any player play better.
You say a rebuild takes 5-8 years (insane)
I say it doesn’t. Point me to a team that misssed the playoffs for 8 straight season and suddenly became good enough to make the playoffs.
The philosophy is backwards, system is everything. Adding talent is Hughe job and I’m no criticizing the waiting game on the rebuild. I agree with it.
But let’s not act like letting our coach coddle players and play system less hockey is some good thing that’s gonna eventually lead anywhere.
Adding talent like Ottawa and buffalo on a year to year is meaningless if you have no vision of how to play.
Buffalo has had to rebuild on the rebuild for a decade now. They are still nowhere near being good. Compare that to the bruins whose roster is nothing that impressive. Yet they have a vision, they have a system, they have accountability.
Finally, if rebuilding takes that long, why is our gm trading for young developed players? It’s cause he sees the value in progress. All the best rebuilds, from LA to NYR to Florida did not rebuild by accepting garbage
