I believe a goalie is the most important piece here as well. If that is not properly addressed and is an issue this year once again, then this particular problem will have carried over across two seasons and have a multitude of failed resolutions against the GM on topic.
A new coach and the systems and style they bring is obviously of great importance, but it was not a particular highlighted issue heading into this off season to address. The firing of Hartley was almost a bit of a surprise at the time it transpired.
The new coach will get a bit of leeway to allow the team to learn and buy into his systems. So even if the coach selected turns out to be the wrong choice, it won't be fully realized or scrutinized with validity until a later time. By contrast, if the wrong goalie is selected - especially at a cost - it's only going to pile on to not properly addressing the situation last year and will as such garner a lot more attention to it now being a two time failed problem.
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