I may be over simplifying things but it seems to me that the contending teams don't have players like Brouwer or Stajan. Rather than give time to washed up vets teams like the Pens, Preds, Bolts, and Caps seem to give those minutes to young guys that they've drafted and developed.
Brouwer wasn't the only reason we didn't make the playoffs but I swear every time he had the puck he either turned it over or had it taken away. The guy can't make plays and worse he was given loads and loads of ice time, even PP time. Countless games I was going to start jotting down how many plays he made vs losing the puck. And Stajan is not far behind. Those types of guys are momentum killers, not fast, not overly smart, not skilled. I'm done with those two guys and in my mind not having them is the ultimate addition by subtraction.
You can't tell me that Spencer Foo and Andrew Mangiapane wouldn't be better options. At the very least not constantly killing the play.
Needless to say, Treliving has to fix this or it will likely cost his job if next season is similar. I do think clearing out the entire coaching staff is a start, along with Brouwer and Stajan.
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