I think the internal hope, and for many fans, was that the Top 4 would finally find a will to win, and play that way. I mean... it just hasn't happened has it? That desire to be the best, win at all costs.
I'm not sure when they are going to turn it on.... I mean we will Nylander playing that way.. and that's it. Matthews is supremely talented, but at times just looks like he's skating around, and I feel like Marner hasn't found his game yet this year either.
Yet here we are... Marner with 20 points in 17 games, and I feel like he's coasting. Matthews 21 points, in 17 games... and coasting.
Game in, and game out... just giving barely enough effort, to use their talents just enough... to win... sometimes.
This forum is obsessed with those who support Dubas, and those who blame Dubas. I look at this collection of players, and their lazy efforts at times... and it's clearly on them to me. Ya, any GM is responsible for a lack of success, agreed fully.. but I can also see the need to be patient with a core that is so incredibly talented. We've never had this type of talent before.... and yet, they don't play hard when it counts.. crazy. Last year, you could say Marner was our MVP... this year, Nylander.
Will we ever see them on decide to play hard at once? I keep thinking... one of these days, this whole group is going to decide to play the way they really can... and I've not seen it yet...
We have a new GM... and if the result is the same... you surround this core with different players, different GM.. and the same results... I mean.. maybe a different coach, not that I have anything against Keefe... I'm just spitballing... if you change everything else around them, and continually get the same results, you've got to change the core.... I'm just not sure how.