Quote:
Originally Posted by nieuwy-89
I’m shocked about how poorly this season has gone. This team should have been a lock for top four in the division. I don’t know if it’s coaching, leadership, “ the core”, or all of the above, but I’m kind of speechless. They could still go with on a run and make the playoffs, but it seems more likely that something is broken and it won’t be a quick fix.
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Best chance without making meaningful changes which this management group seems intent on refraining from making (as they have more faith in this group than you or I) is to make Huska interim coach and hope for the coaching change bump to carry them to a top 4 finish. It probably won't take much as Montreal appears to be falling back to earth.
They don't want to spend money on a big name coach right now with two guys on the books, and are shy about making a core player trade and rocking the boat in covid times, so that's their one move within their comfort zone to have a shot at another first round appearance.
It is quite stunning that within the context of Canada this group will struggle to put themselves above the bottom 3.
The top players have still produced near a PPG though and the goalies have been passable to great. I see the main two culprits as systems and a downgrade in their bottom 6.
The bottom 5 forwards (every one but Looch) have provided very little. Less than even your average depth forwards on an NHL team.
Rieder, Czarnik and Quine don't even look so bad right now.
Also old Ryan was leaps better than this years Ryan pre injury.