Quote:
Originally Posted by JiriHrdina
One of the key things about the original turnaround was bringing in proven winners with a lot of character - like Yelle and Warrener.
That needs to be a priority again. I think Hudler was a start - but they need more guys that are coming from winning organizations.
Stephen Yelle in particular has never really been replaced on this team.
|
It was others, as well. Gelinas was another one. Leopold had won Frozen Four. Drury, even though he wasn't around long, but was worth getting Warrener. Conroy was a big part of it, too.
As controversial as Button was, he was right about one thing when he took the GM job. He wanted to alter the culture of losing. That started by moving out guys were part of previous regimes: Stillman, Bure and others.
Then after Sutter took over the GM reigns full time, he started imported players from losing organizations, like Toronto and Florida. Mediocrity became the norm after '05. So, it was either get knocked out of the 1st round or miss out on the 8th spot. That led to missing out on higher draft picks, eventually to the situation the club found itself in this season. It was just a repeat of the way things were during the 90's. The end result was that star players were moved out, one by one. Sound familiar?
Here are the major differences b/tw then and now:
1.) During the 90's, there was the currency issue.
2.) With Daryl at the helm, multiyear contracts with NTC's were handed out like candy.
To build a winner, those without winning attitudes have to be identified and sent packing. They have to be replaced with by those who want to be part of building something.