I feel like those two need to sit down and clarify a lot of things. The communication and ability to all get on the same page with this team is a near-disgrace.
I think Kessel had to go. But I never at any point would have characterized him as THE problem.
Just like JJ isn't THE problem, if we're being honest. There is a lot of rot, complacency, staleness and creeping arrogance loafing around this team.
I've been thinking for a while now that JR and Sully just simply don't ever talk about each other's approach or philosophy toward building the team. Sully comes in and employs this aggressive, attacking style that results in not only a complete 180 of a team languishing under Mike Johnston, but back to back Stanley Cups, for f***'s sake.
It was so successful that the vast majority of the league has since adopted that style and use it. I can't imagine that the coach suddenly went "Yeah, f*** it, give me Ryan Reaves, Tanner Pearson, Jack Johnson, ZAR, Gudbranson, etc." I'm not as 100% sure Sully needs to stay as I used to be, and I still think JR is a complete dunce that has selfishly and arrogantly driven this team into the ground over the last two years. That being said, there is no
the problem, but many, many problems. JR, Sully, complacency, certain players (JJ, Gudbranson, ZAR, perhaps Horny, perhaps Bjugs, perhaps Kahun, perhaps Schultz), etc.
There is a lot wrong, and it's not a "right now" situation. This kind of stuff has been a problem since our second of back to back Cups. JR was even shifting gears before we won the 2nd, going after a guy like Oleksiak simply because he was huge, ignoring the type of player he was and how he'd fit.
I don't think this team can fix itself entirely this season. At the same time, I don't think they even see a need to, or have what it takes to make the changes needed and shift their approach. I'm fine with watching us suck and miss the playoffs if steps are being taken to right the ship and become a stronger team moving forward. If we just shrug, follow the current trajectory and then go "wha happun" when we inevitably fail again, while taking no steps toward fixing things both roster-wise as well as front office/coaching-wise, heads should roll.