Our last pod was 4 days ago:
Its more clear to me now and I mentioned some of these points in the last few years. When BA sets the target as meaningful hockey, it is too general, not really a target for the players to shoot at, or the coach. BA is telling the players, hey, all is good if we miss the playoffs, you still did a great job. BA is trying to under promise and over deliver for his own benefit and job security as the GM. Same with his "it takes 8-10 years to build a playoff team".
BA should be saying, its our goal to make the playoffs this year, Bear needs to coach us to get in, and the players need to step up and do what it takes. As a manager, you can't hit a target you are not shooting for with employees, unless you set the target. I don't like this at all, its year 5 for BA. In his blue print 5 years ago, was year 5 goal "meaningful games"? Or deeper playoff run? What team would hire a GM with those timelines. The expectations BA has set are exactly what the team is hitting. Thats part of why we are where we are, leadership.