Quote:
Originally Posted by ComixZone
Yeah, Giordano's contract is totally fine. You always knew it was going to hurt a little bit during the tail end, but Tree's even done a good job in planning a transition in having Hanifin and Valimaki.
Ryan's contract was a year too long - but that's free agency. Backlund's deal was also too long.
The one thing I will say is that I think if this team wanted to establish a winning culture, building a leadership group around Giordano and Backlund was a mistake. They've been here through this entire 7 year run, and just seemed to carry on the pre-existing culture of mediocrity. When it comes to building from the ground up (like they should have done), you can't get sentimental - and you can't be afraid about truly bottoming out.
I understand the fear in not wanting to be too bad, because you don't want a losing culture to set-in, but when you already had a losing culture - what are you afraid of? Hire the right coach, set out to build the right leadership group and believe in your own ability to set the cultural tone.
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Yeah I agree with that. I love Gio and Backlund but as far as leadership, they're both lead by example types. Show up, work hard, do your job, go home. The trouble is leading by example doesn't work when nobody is following. I get the sense there's some players on the team that need a good slap across the face wake up call from time to time. A guy like Crosby or Getzlaf who's known for calling people out in the locker room.
On that note, if the rumour is true the leadership is responsible for apparently telling Tkachuk to lose some of his edge, that's disgusting