RedLeaf said:
Like him or not, it appears Dave 'Status Quo' Nonis is rubbing off already on Shanahan.
Maybe he's setting them up for a common departure.
I don't see any quick fix here. The contracts and talent problem is bigger than the coaching problem. I'm convinced of that.
They might make the playoffs next year and they might not. If they fall short without major injuries excuses, I think Nonis & Carlyle will both be gone. And the real Shanahan era will begin.
The better bang for their talent buck players are generally free agents so they have a bit of a challenge to even stay where they are. I look at their situation and don't see an easy way out to become a real contender. Their top 5 paid forwards are locked in for at least four more years. Their top 3 paid dmen are locked in for at least two more years. And they've effectively made a commitment to Bernier.
They've burned their compliance buyouts.
They've spent $48 mil on 12 they're committed to next year
They've got $23 mil left to sign 11 more
So they're already cap constrained to not being able to do much in acquiring an impact player - if he's willing to come to a roster that doesn't look so hot.
Carlyle arguably underachieved and so those calling for his head have my sympathy. But I don't think Trotz or Tortorella or whoever is going to be able to make that much of a meaningful difference - not nearly as much as getting better talent for their NHL coach to work with.
In a year or two, when the Burke-Nonis retooling plan is more apparent that it's not very likely to pan out, the "real" Shanahan era will begin.