I posted this in the post game thread but it probably makes more sense here...
My thoughts on this topic have changed I think. I thought we would struggle early on due to lack of chemistry with so much forward turnover and what not. But I haven't really seen that. If anything, the new guys have done a nice job of coming on board and contributing immediately.
What I do see is a lot of guys with no focus in the defensive zone staring at the puck without any regard for defensive assignment. Constant bad decisions through the neutral zone. No poise to close out games. And a coach who refuses to play the best possible players we have at our disposal.
And each of these issues were evident going back to the previous 35 games. This coaching staff seemingly has no answers for fixing any of these issues, which I would now consider long-term definitive trends.
On top of that, consider this. The d-men we are currently playing are literally the exact same we had 2 years ago. Two freaking years ago. Now take into consideration that at the time they were already on the older side, so now those same d-men are two years older. And that their success at the time was more a product of the system rather than raw talent. Now take into consideration that we have a promising group of young d prospects. Why on Earth are we now, two years later, still icing the exact same group of defensemen who are now two years older and slower? Not only that, but one of the few young solid ones that were a part of that group is not playing most nights. I mean it's borderline criminal. Nothing has been done for the last two years to accommodate a youth movement on the backend even though we have the prospects. That is partially on Pete for not playing them now that he has the opportunity, but it's more on Lou. Why did we bring back Sal for three years (and make him captain, another dumb move by Pete)? Why did we not buy out Volch this offseason? Why did we sign Harrold to a one way deal?
This team needs a fresh start from a management standpoint. I liked Pete for most of his time here but he (and his staff it seems) has no answers for a team that has failed to play Devils hockey for 40+ games now. I absolutely admire Lou and everything he has done but his decisions when it comes to contracts and team building have become inconsistent and outdated. I don't think Lou should be fired, but to be honest I would be somewhat relieved if he retired at the end of this season.
Of course this is all contingent on the idea that we replace them with top notch people. Here's hoping because this organization needs to a breath of fresh air.