[GranteedEV]

I am not ready to give up on this core.

No, I do not think this is an elite core, but it's no worse a core than most cup runners-up in the last decade, and a few cup winners.

Blow it up when we get an NHL head coach and the results remain unchanged.

Here is one very basic criteria you can have for whether a head coach is NHL caliber

Has _______ gone to the AHL Calder Cup final in the last decade or the NHL Conference Finals?

No?

Then no thanks.

Yes?

Then maybe, if their style is a fit on the ice. I don't care if they're a player's coach or disciplinarian, I care if they know how to get the most out of our best players.