The difference is Lou and whoever he had behind the bench never really allowed a system or the team to be built around a single player. There were times Kovalchuk would do his own thing and there were subtle comments or reactions Elias had over the years about that, but outside of the power play, it never got to an overwhelming point with Kovalchuk.
I don't think what is in place here at the moment is solely built around Hall. That isn't to say certain parts of the system aren't built to suit him, which they are, but I don't think they are overly pronounced. The team just isn't built well to begin with. Things go wrong with every team every season, but the teams that are able to hang in there, have a fallback plan or plans when and if those issues come up. Depth has something to do with that and this was the most significant issue that wasn't addressed coming into the season and is partially why the Devils are where they are now.
So once again, we are back to the drawing board this off-season in a rebuild where the room for understanding and patience excuses do wear thinner. The time isn't now, but at some point in the near future of the next season or two, it will get to the point of put up or shut up time with what has been put in place here over the past 4 seasons.
