Imo if he can’t get the core guys to play a tighter more disciplined game it’s time to ship some core guys out because they’re not capable of what they need to do. The rookie over-analyzer coach didn’t get them to buy in, if the vet more hands off coach with a solid track record also can’t get them to buy in, it’s on them imo.
Having said that, they’re banking points playing mostly like crap, and the season is still very young. If Gallant can get them to play a harder more consistent game before too too long they can still have an excellent season
I agree on the former, but that's on Drury, not GG.
He brought in a tougher set of players to play a more gritty game (would've been nice to see some of that "grit" show up after Igor was relentlessly pushed around last night, but thats a different story) to compliment the top of the lineup, but for this team to go anywhere its all about those star players buying into the type of game Gallant is trying to set them up with. And consistently. And leading the youngens down the right path instead of showing them its ok to carry bad habits.
I agree on the latter. When this team is going they can be a scary opponent. They have a lot of balance and their lineup is well rounded and skilled enough in the right places to make some noise.
But I have to point at Panarin. He is the game driver offensively and while you want him to be creative out there he is on a top line getting important minutes. Each of the top 6 players will have to carry the responsibility and while I think a majority of them can (I am including Strome believe it or not) I am the least bit convinced that Bread will.
Getting Bread to buy in will be Gallant's biggest challenge as a coach. If he can crack that nut and also find a way to accelerate Laf and Kakkos output the Rangers will be a very tough team to beat.