The problem I have when I try to analyze the team is that I cant figure how much of this is on Chiarelli and how much is on McLellan. Honestly, I think its more on McLellan but at this point ... they should both get the axe (if changes/adjustments arent made) because both are incompetent.
I agree. According to what we've seen last season and during this one game:
- PP absolutely terrible, even worse so when you consider the pieces he's got
- PK sucks
- doesn't believe in linematching, which could actually be used to cover for some holes in the lineup
- doesn't play players to their strengths (Puljujarvi an utmost example)
- has his clear favourites and lets veterans earn their chances more easily
- doesn't seem to have the grasp of the team at all times (remember the amazing 0-5 loss period)
- some strange choices for the OT lineups
- changes lines constantly, removes players from lines when they click
- strange reasons for not using players (no PP time for Pulju because of his English)
- seems outdated with his hockey view
- seems as stubborn as they get, one example is from last year when the team pulled the goalie and they had at least two players (incl. Lucic) who hadn't scored for months
I actually wanted him to succeed, but now he just doesn't deserve it. I tried to think of what he's done well during this time and it's honestly tough. As mentioned earlier he can sound quite convincing when he speaks, though he's also got some bad interviews after games, which don't make it look like he can turn the ship. Of course at its best the team has played well enough so you don't need search for weaknesses, but all in all it doesn't look too good to me.