One thing that needs to change is the idea that we cannot hurt the feelings of the core group. I am sure that unity and good will were part of the reason why they won Stanley Cups in '09, '16 and '17, but we are no longer a winning team. And if Sidney Crosby still thinks this team can win a Cup next season, without a RADICAL departure in mentality, roster construction and attitude, then he is just flat wrong. He, Malkin and Letang can no longer lead this team to a Stanley Cup...without massive help. No, Kyle Dubas and Jason Spezza are not massive help. Bringing back Jason Zucker is not massive help. Keeping Bryan Rust, re-signing Brian Dumoulin and/or Tristan Jarry...not massive help.
Dubas did make reference to a new core group of FOUR did he not? So that is one positive to be sure. They have never needed help more than they do right now. So adding another top player to this group is not only a step in the right direction, it is absolutely essential. They also need some youth to step in/step up. Joseph can get better. I suppose O'Connor and Poehling may improve, but MORE is needed. Ty Smith might become an interesting player for us, and Owen Pickering may not need that much time to crack this roster. But more is needed there too.
Crosby and Malkin need more than what guys like Zucker, Rust and Rakell bring the table. Keep the latter if you want. Do not sign Zucker. The third guy is hopefully more of a third-line option moving forward (or traded). That is how this team is going to get better.
We don't know what Dubas and Crosby have discussed. But it simply cannot be a case where Crosby said he wants to win no matter the cost and Dubas said OK. You cannot keep doing that. THAT line of thinking led us to a non-playoff appearance because they could not win at home against a team that was trying to lose. If Crosby cannot see that this thing is broken, then he needs a TON of work in the field of general managing.
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