Confirmed with Link: Lindy Ruff named Head Coach, Press Conference at 1:00 PM EDT

[Deep Blue Metallic]

I find the numbers interesting because whether I lump the numbers together or separate Granato's seasons individually, there is a clear decline in the team's numbers across the board.

As for why that might have happened, I was here for the last two seasons, so I know about the circumstances around them. But you didn't mention any reasons that the numbers should be going up, improvements that should come naturally with young players getting older, more experience, and playing together longer:

• Understanding the requirements of the NHL schedule and travel demands
• Better strength and endurance
• Improved board play and ability to physically compete in battles
• Improved understanding systematic concepts (this is not just defensive positioning, it applied to neutral zone concepts, forechecking concepts, special teams and empty net scenarios, etc)
• Improved play speed due to instincts taking over and not having to think as much
• Better chemistry with teammates
• Better stability in personal life (lots of these guys have settled down and started families)

For me these points far outnumber any reasons for their decline. And I don't buy the pressure, arguments, most of us have played the sport, we feel pressure whether there are expectations or not. A one goal game feels the same whether the playoffs are in reach or not. This has been Paul Hamilton's level of analysis for the past 20 years, dating back to the last time Ruff was here. Preparing the players for high pressure game situations falls on the coach. It's not the same, but I'm reminded of another similar narrative about Ovie; "that guy isn't a winner, he's never going to win it all", then Trotz came in and they won.

We have dealt with the players vs coach pendulum for the past decade+, and I'm done putting the blame on the players. Honestly, it's the way everyone else in the league operates, no one trades away their core players, they ax the coach and find someone else that get the most out of them. Ruff is an average coach (at best) with below average assistants. The stats show that he is NOT getting the most out of this group. His former team is flourishing without him, and none of our previous coaches has done anything since leaving here. Meanwhile, almost all of our former players are having positive impacts around the league; Eichel, Reinhart, ROR, Montour. Hell, even Risto and McCabe look good:

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I can't wait until we trade away Samuelsson and his impacts start looking like this somewhere else

Bottom line, I've long been a supporter of refining the roster construction, I desperately wanted the Ekholm trade that the Oilers pulled off. I was a big advocate of trading for Meier when he became available. But this stupid nostalgic hire of Ruff is not going to move my opinion on these young promising players, players that we've seen perform in the past.

Great post, Fezz.

1. Improve the roster with 2-3 capable vet leaders in key positions.
2. Get a coach who can extract maximum value from that improved roster.

That's it. Playoffs guaranteed. *

* - might not be possible with current GM