Good points all around. I was more optimistic about our contracts at the start of the season because hope springs eternal. Sadly, our lack of forward depth continues to be an issue. I understand why Francis took this route because to be well-rounded as an expansion team you have to take risks. We haven’t had time to develop the depth that would allow us to make smarter acquisitions because we don’t know how our youth will adapt at the NHL level. So, sadly, most of our value is tied up in unknowns and we’re forced to adapt around them. Other teams have years of history with players that make their shortcomings a little easier to spot. If Matty and Shane hit their ceiling during the first three months of this season, then we’re looking at a very different conversation in December and hailing Francis as a genius. Unfortunately, I don’t think Matty (and it’s hard to remember he’s still only 21) is leadership material. Everything about Matty’s play is team first to the point that it’s obvious he’s a shoulder for everyone to lean on and not a shoulder to carry the weight of leadership. There’s a huge difference between the guy everyone likes being around and the captain. Some can do both, but it’s rare. Unfortunately, as soon as Eberle went on the LTIR Matty was thrust into a role he wasn’t truly prepared for. The more I think about it, all of this is the responsibility of ownership - not Francis, the coaches, or the players. The urgency to win (which was ridiculous to begin with) was communicated by ownership. Francis was then required to play whack-a-mole to accurately guess which holes needed plugging if everyone played up to their potential. Then when those pieces didn’t come together to complete the vision the team took it very hard. They know they’re supposed to win. It’s one thing to disappoint yourself with your play. It’s another to feel like you’ve let your friends and family down all while knowing the guy who prints your paycheck doesn’t like what he sees. I will not be surprised if Francis goes in the offseason. Does he deserve it? Probably not. I don’t agree with everything he’s done but it’s not as though he mandated a winning season. Unfortunately, these contracts won’t leave with Francis. So, I’ll be placing the blame where it belongs - ownership.
Season 3 was riddled with bad injury luck. This season is something else. The GM really shouldn’t be over correcting here. He patched our holes in the offseason and of course we lose our captain and top points guy. Those two new guys are doing great. Stephenson is also great. He’s too 3 in points. Fans need to better educate themselves on what makes a good player. Gru has also been solid. It’s sad even Erica is on the irrational Gru hate train. Why would Seattle trade off their two solid goalies? That’s also just silly. I think your criticism of the GM shows a lack of understanding of why we’re actually here. A 6 million contract is NOT massive. We don’t have a single high paid player on the roster. We have a ton of cap flexibility next year. Francis may not last to feed the ignorant masses but it won’t be because of poor job performance.
Good points all around. I was more optimistic about our contracts at the start of the season because hope springs eternal. Sadly, our lack of forward depth continues to be an issue. I understand why Francis took this route because to be well-rounded as an expansion team you have to take risks. We haven’t had time to develop the depth that would allow us to make smarter acquisitions because we don’t know how our youth will adapt at the NHL level. So, sadly, most of our value is tied up in unknowns and we’re forced to adapt around them. Other teams have years of history with players that make their shortcomings a little easier to spot.
If Matty and Shane hit their ceiling during the first three months of this season, then we’re looking at a very different conversation in December and hailing Francis as a genius. Unfortunately, I don’t think Matty (and it’s hard to remember he’s still only 21) is leadership material. Everything about Matty’s play is team first to the point that it’s obvious he’s a shoulder for everyone to lean on and not a shoulder to carry the weight of leadership. There’s a huge difference between the guy everyone likes being around and the captain. Some can do both, but it’s rare. Unfortunately, as soon as Eberle went on the LTIR Matty was thrust into a role he wasn’t truly prepared for.
The more I think about it, all of this is the responsibility of ownership - not Francis, the coaches, or the players. The urgency to win (which was ridiculous to begin with) was communicated by ownership. Francis was then required to play whack-a-mole to accurately guess which holes needed plugging if everyone played up to their potential. Then when those pieces didn’t come together to complete the vision the team took it very hard. They know they’re supposed to win. It’s one thing to disappoint yourself with your play. It’s another to feel like you’ve let your friends and family down all while knowing the guy who prints your paycheck doesn’t like what he sees.
I will not be surprised if Francis goes in the offseason. Does he deserve it? Probably not. I don’t agree with everything he’s done but it’s not as though he mandated a winning season. Unfortunately, these contracts won’t leave with Francis. So, I’ll be placing the blame where it belongs - ownership.
Season 3 was riddled with bad injury luck. This season is something else. The GM really shouldn’t be over correcting here. He patched our holes in the offseason and of course we lose our captain and top points guy. Those two new guys are doing great. Stephenson is also great. He’s too 3 in points. Fans need to better educate themselves on what makes a good player. Gru has also been solid. It’s sad even Erica is on the irrational Gru hate train. Why would Seattle trade off their two solid goalies? That’s also just silly. I think your criticism of the GM shows a lack of understanding of why we’re actually here. A 6 million contract is NOT massive. We don’t have a single high paid player on the roster. We have a ton of cap flexibility next year. Francis may not last to feed the ignorant masses but it won’t be because of poor job performance.