Unlike all of you, this is actually the outcome I have been expecting and hoping for all year. I wanted a blowup last summer. There are players on this team that I felt unworthy of redemption. The first half of the season had me quite stressed, but eventually the lack of character in our core shined through. Ideally, they would have missed the playoffs. I will never forgive Nashville for giving up when they still had an outside shot at the post-season. Shit, that one trade where they gave away El Nino to us was probably the difference between us making it and not them. But an early exit, with barely a whimper with their backs to a wall was almost as good.
It is to be hoped the Top. Men. will see the folly of allowing the team as constructed to continue to see the light of day and make major changes to the core. Scheifele, PLD, Pionk, Connor, Helly have all let this team down at critical times this year and I hope I can bid them all a not so fond farewell before next season starts. Not gonna hold my breath though.
Also, good on Bowness for his scathing outburst but there's been what I think is a lot of valid criticism directed his way over the course of the year. I realize he was a last minute placeholder when Trotz grew tired of teasing us but he should be out the door, too. He couldn't cure what ails this bunch and I don't think his approach is suited for guiding a rebuild. Nice guy, straight shooter but that ain't enough.
Finally, please get rid of Chevy. I don't care if he has the toughest GM job in the league, the results just haven't been there. Sure, maybe the next guy will be worse, but Chipman can't look at it from that perspective. He's losing fans and needs to send a message of hope for the future, instead of veiled threats.
