[TheChief]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I've been a pretty strong Tre backer his entire tenure.

After six years, the team's best natural centre is arguably Mikael Backlund, which is a problem.

After six years, the best D on the team is still Mark Giordano, which is a problem.

After six years, the guy who started all our playoff games still isn't even the presumptive starter heading into next year - this is the third time in three post-season appearances that this has been the case, which is a problem.

Despite making the playoffs in four of six years, Treliving's teams have consistently had their doors blown off by real NHL teams, and it doesn't matter who the coach/goalie combo is. To say nothing of their complete inability to scheme up a defense to contain McDavid.

Hartley/Ramo/Hiller were no match for the Ducks.

Gulutzan/Elliott had no chance against the Ducks.

Peters/Smith were helpless against MacKinnon et al.

Thank Christ we got to play the Byfuglienless Jets Round 1, with no Scheifele or Laine, because I don't think we beat that team under normal circumstances.

Ward/Talbot were barely hanging on for six games against Dallas, and the skaters looked like they quit in Game 6 - if you're up 3 in the first 10 minutes of an elimination game, you've gotta at least make it to Game 7.

It's been six years of the same stuff. They refuse to win the game in the first 59 minutes and get by on their talent with these stupid comebacks. It was fun when Gaudreau was 22 and you could dream about what he'd be when he figured it out - it's less fun when you realize 'this is all there is'.

Perhaps not surprisingly, there's less motivation to break down the doors in a comeback when it means another 20 minutes of gruelling 5v5 OT and not 5 minutes of pond hockey followed by a skills competition before bed.

If we aren't going to be able to physically witness this team for another year anyway, this is the time to cut salary and rebuild.

We have one player who'd be a 1st line option on a true contender, and he wears 19.

Oh, and stop trading ####ing 1st round picks.

I just have to say GREAT post. A competent organization would be showing Tree the door.