Hiring “friends” doesn’t land you a championship. Look at teams around this league. Erie is the only team who has been in the rebuild for 3+ years. All of our OAs haven’t played a single playoff game. Sad.
I completely agree. Dave Brown is the only one who could steer the ship in a different direction. Instead he cleared the cupboards and flopped multiple trades. I’ve watch Jim Waters enter the locker room and he’s around the EIA far more frequently than in the past.
I like Kulakov, but keeping him would be a huge mistake imo. We're picking way too high in the import draft to do that. Maybe acquiring an overage defenseman from one of the teams that loaded up on 19 year olds this season would be the way to go.
I think you are misinterpreting my comment. I’m not saying DB’s cronyism is a good thing… I’m simply pointing out that DB hired SB because he was his friend and cheap (a bad combo) which suggests there is no “plan” in place to have SB take over and DB lose his job. At least not a plan that DB is part of or wants to see. Again, DB made this hire. Waters approved but it’s DB’s buddy and his role as GM to make the hire. Odd to think he hired SB to replace himself..
100%. Not to mention, Lalonde isn’t even an OA next year. Certainly Erie needs to fix the goalie situation and that’s a convo for another day but the OA tag should never be used on an import unless the player is that good or there are no good alternatives in the OA or import spot. Kulakov is not that special to warrant keeping him but given the history of this organization, it would seem plausible that they do keep him next year
Because imports typically don’t return a lot of assets unless they are special. Molnar still has higher upside and is younger, doesn’t use the OA spot. So he’s a better import player at this stage. Now that said, Erie did zero for his development the last few months and I doubt he’s back here unless he just loved the city/team
See with Kulakov he loves Erie and is always at the Sports Park helping younger teams. I think Erie keeps him because he’s what SB is looking for in a defenseman. Not saying it’s the right move, but losing Morton size wise Kulakov is the next biggest. I doubt he goes back to Russia and his billets can afford to house him year round.
Which is why they will keep him. I understand the size argument and I don’t doubt Kulakov is a great kid. But again, wasting an OA/import tag on a middle pair defenseman is a move that 90% of the league just doesn't consider. Certainly any reputable organization doesn’t. Just like making BJ the head coach after a meh performance as an interim, just like keeping DB around this long, just like hiring SB…. The team just continues to make head scratching decisions and they stay way too loyal to a fault, even going back to the Bassin years. You want to win, you go for the talent and you hopefully have a head coach that can build the culture. Using a top 10 import pick to get a younger, better defender with the same size and trying to get Molnar back here is the best thing for the team’s potential and growth. But with a dinosaur defensive minded head coach and the history of this franchise - it’s likely Kulakov is back for a culture/character guy, similar to Poddubyni situation, and we will just to go sub .500 again.
I think as a parent you’d do anything to support your child no matter the circumstances. If my child was living 5,000 miles away I’d want to visit him and see what it’s like living in America. Visiting doesn’t necessarily mean he’s locked into sticking around.
Any franchise that wins less than 26 games for 5 straight years will have culture issues. Can we stop trying to scapegoat? Their issue is their roster construction, their talent develoment, and in game coaching
