Feels like there has been something seriously wrong with this core for a while now. The mental fragility and lack of 60 minute efforts has spanned multiple years and coaches. Gaudreau, Monahan, Giordano, and Backlund are all individually great players but really seem to lack leadership. While I don't think a full rebuild is the way to go, a serious retool where maybe the team needs to look at making Tkachuk the leader of this team.
Yes, Tkachuk is having an off year, but he generally has been the most engaged and passionate player on team. I think giving him the captaincy would force some more maturity and drive the team in a new direction. Start by building around him, Lindholm, Dube, Magiapane, Andersson, Hanifin, Valimaki, and Markstrom. Supplement that with what trading Gaudreau, Monahan and Backland can bring in, hopefully good young players and A level prospects. I don't know what you do with Gio.
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