Edited Sep. 7, 2023 at 12:59 p.m.
Quoting: palhal
No way should CBJ give up a first for Lindholm. And really why overpay for a 30 year old on his last contract.
Why is Jarmo still GM. Last place team and he hired Babcock.
Why the willingness to invest heavily in Lindholm? It's all about building a formidable center depth, which is crucial for sustained competitiveness. At 30, he's not on the verge of decline just yet and likely has at least another 4-5 years of strong hockey ahead.
The reason Jarmo hasn't been let go is quite multifaceted. Columbus isn't exactly a top-choice destination for hockey players, and Jarmo has had to work with the cards he's been dealt. He initially constructed a competitive team with a limited window for success, which unfortunately crumbled due to factors largely beyond his control (players wanting to play elsewhere that had nothing to do with the team).
Labeling this as a "last place" team would be a tad unfair, especially if we look at last season in isolation. They suffered a franchise-record 563 man-games lost and the AHL team had their fair share of injuries too so the callups weren't even that strong, not to mention dealing with subpar coaching too. Moreover, they deliberately went through a couple of rough seasons as part of their strategic rebuild, which was a prudent move. Jarmo has proven his mettle in drafting and acquiring promising talent, and the team is currently in a position to contend, hence the decision to secure a more capable coach. While we can acknowledge Babcock's imperfections, he also boasts an extensive track record of success and has earned commendations from numerous players for his tactical prowess. He's expected to be a significant upgrade over Larson.
If this particular roster configuration doesn't yield the desired results, then yes, the possibility of Jarmo's departure becomes more likely. However, it's essential to recognize that this team isn't lacking in talent, and its depth has notably improved since last season.