Kind of reminds me of year three of MacLean,
If memory serves, he was pretty well liked, but in year three decided he needed to clamp down a bit and be a bit tougher, that's when things went off the rails and the team seemed to give up a bit on him.
Anyways, just like we expect young players to grow as they gain experience, I expect DJ to learn on the job as well. If he can sort out the "details" in our defensive play, he might be able to extend his time here.
that 2013/2014 year was a crazy year. It was the end year or two of, the Brian Murray "I want Mastodons" on my team.. A solid 7-8 guys were 6"3" and bigger. But many could not play. And many would be out of the league within a year or two. Even those that lasted longer, did so in Choppy fashion.
The team also had malcontents; Hoffman and at the risk of controversy "EK". Spezza was already rumbling. Bobby Ryan and his contract.
That team was such a mish-mash of players!!!! Fantastic age discrepancies from 34, 35 and 36 year olds who were team leaders.. To 19, 20 and 21 year olds. Guys who would become stars.
this team is different. Many are home grown, many are the same age. NO insane contract discrepancies. No "malcontents".
It should be easier to mold this group into a tight unit. MacLean never stood a chance with his lot.