Well...the Caps have drafted pretty well in recent history with Mahoney calling the draft shots. If he stays with the existing scouting staff...the draft is covered.
Yeah, the team building thing is a major factor...but the Pens have been in the thick of it every year. Its a risk with any GM...so Ill take Shero with his willingness to make moves. He has a lot to work with on the existing roster to make it better.
I would think that ownership will pound the table and back up their scouting staff to whoever takes over. That would mitigate Shero's draft weakness, particularly since I don't think a GM generally has a great deal of influence in individual picks outside of the first round. It's the process, the preparation and evaluation that inform those picks that a GM and head scout decide. That's where the credit and criticism is deserved. It hasn't been evident what a Pittsburgh Penguin has been aside from a grinder and even that hasn't been evident up front in their drafting. With the Caps, at least while Mahoney is around, that structure is largely in place. They can tweak it but there's no need to overhaul it completely. The question for me is if McPhee gets hired at some point does he poach Mahoney? Ala Futa with the Kings the Caps may need to bump up his job description at some point, particularly if he's able to take on new input, further diversify their criteria and continues to evolve.
Since part of PIT's ownership wants to hire Crosby's agent they should just hire McPhee & Oates instead. Oates will "fix" their PP, coddling their stars in the process and McPhee knows how to pass a mean buck and work in a culture of star worship.
The problem with hiring Shero and perhaps Trotz is that it outwardly sets expectations too high initially and, somewhat similar to the Sharks, I think they still need to take one step back in order to take two steps forward. Can that be accomplished merely with the right trades and better coaching? I'm not sure. Maybe so.
@JoshuaCooper: I think it's not a stretch to assume that #trotzwatch could go hand in hand with #sherowatch
Nashville beat writer. The only other option where that can happen right now is Vancouver, assuming Benning isn't already a done deal. I wouldn't hate it, provided Shero is prepared to learn from his mistakes.
