I have and still do like AV as a coach, but this group has looked like a clunky, tired old beater more often than a well oiled machine over the past calendar year. The sloppy, slow, sad PP since January 2012 is a highlight of the effort level and execution of this group over that time. The personnel has largely not changed since before then, so what gives?Blob Mckenzie wrote:Pac B my point is and was the team has quit on the coach.
I do think this current funk is just that, a funk. Every year there's at least one stretch of terrible play. The team has none of that swagger they show when they are playing well.
However, outside of the last game against LA, which was truly a great all around effort, we haven't seen a consistent work ethic or execution from any single player all year outside of Chris Tanev. This is not a bad team that will consistently lose to Columbus, Calgary and Minnesota, and I am confident that we will win 10 in a row before this shortened season is over, but I am starting to wonder. The longer it takes to get back to winning, let along looking like a dominant team, the more I wonder about what needs to change.
First off, even with a healthy Kesler this team needs another NHL centre. It also needs another right side defenseman. Ballard needs to go, and Lapierre needs to play on the 4th line only, ever. These are no brainers. Though, I am beginning to wonder if there is a cultural problem here. Is there too much of a country club atmosphere with this group? Does this group need a shakeup to remind them that they are in the business of winning hockey games?