It's a mediocre team that isn't going to win many games with sub-par goaltending. Like all mediocre teams, there isn't enough quality to expect consistency. Watching Gustafsson trying to complete a pass to Rasmussen three times on IIRC a single shift, and Ras failing all three times to simply control the puck or do anything with it to continue possession, was like watching the little girl in Exorcist spinning her head around. This happens all the time, the names of guilty parties like a rolodex of former ECHL all-stars. You can blame the coach for not devising a system that eliminates the need for fundamental skills, and he certainly deserves some, but it's time for some fans to consider that last year's 11-point improvement might have been an over-achievement. Without superior goaltending, which was a possibility with adding Talbot and Lyon playing like he did for 3-4 months last season, they are not going to get close to a WC berth this season.
As for the rebuild, it's crazy to think it's not going in the right direction in terms of young player/prospect acquisition. The place-holders will give way and there will be a new coach when it matters. Until then, the annual playoff chase is a sideshow. A possible reward for Larkin, a taste of playoff hockey for a few young players, but otherwise just a way to pass the winter. You can either drive yourself nuts because of the false idea they are a good team, or ready to be, or appreciate the progress this year of Edvinsson, Kasper and maybe AlJo as they join Larkin, Ray and Mo. Those are the only five or six guys that matter and perhaps the only ones still around in three years.