Fail so repeatedly and it's probably more than just randomness, no? How many more results do we need? Margins are razor thin but they're even thinner when the mentality is to expect long, hard fought battles against every opponent. If the coach doesn't have an understanding of team strengths that can be exploited and constantly seeks them that's a huge missed opportunity when it comes to positioning the team for consistent high-level success. All of the best coaches have that level of self-awareness and intensity. Not every match-up lines up conveniently or goes to expectations but for it to be universally glossed over is unacceptable and goes to show Trotz's limitations. He just rolls lines as much as he's able to get away with and hopes to win the long game of attrition. I don't think they necessarily have the grit for some aspects of gamesmanship and playoff success but he's the one that sets the tone in how easy it's going to be and the games within the game. He lets them get away with a lot of softness in the regular season because they're able to win in spite of it. Their identity turns to mush in the playoffs and it goes to show that beyond preaching work ethic and structure there isn't a coherent identity priming them toward performing when it matters. They need to get a lot heavier again if he's staying put yet it's likely to remain come up short once again if it's still not predominantly about making plays. That needs to be said every year.
It's god damned comical that at the end of the day, you, the most well known "stats first" guy around the Caps board, just eventually shrugs his shoulders and says "it comes down to (luck) inherent randomness". Giant irony in effect. From now on I'll file your posts with their individual accompanying grains of salt Twabby. Keep fighting the good fight brother.
I don't think it's worth stripping Ovechkin to give it to a player who doesn't completely define everything they want in a player. Wilson competes but he still doesn't make nearly enough plays. The more interesting move would be Backstrom to see whether that forces him to become a more outspoken leader but I don't think it's worth the controversy. I'd just concentrate on adding someone like Hartley behind the bench or a real GM and let player leadership sort itself out.
Trotz's lack of playoff success was well known and there's also a general organizational laziness he was supposed to change that still hasn't been addressed. He was essentially ownership's hire and that's nothing new when it comes to coaches. They're gullible and don't appear to be able to distinguish between BS and the real thing. That's a huge problem in identifying capable leadership. That filters all the way down.
I'd have ownership hire a consultant to review practices and suggest improvements. There are many that could be made, it's more a matter of opening themselves and everyone below them to review and criticism. That was something they were supposedly getting with MacLellan but for me it's always sounded like a dog-and-pony show. "Tough" talk but the basic setup remains the same.
