That analysis/data is actually pretty darn good and, to me at least, shows a direct correllation that if you dont start building winning records over initial 4-6yr window, it just isn't going to happen after that window either.
With hindsight being crystal clear, the three things that still irk me are:
1) TG/UW making such a big deal out of him taking classes to finish his degree.
No one cares. You were hired to coach a team and win, not be a celebrity alumni with a university fawning over you taking classes and time away from your top priority.
2) UW is just as guilty as TG but they went way out of their way to promote how many Badgers make it to or are in the NHL.
It's a cool talking point, and maybe it is a tertiary recruiting tool but means nothing outsode of cocktail parties. Are they an NHL minor league pipeline or a school in pursuit of championships?
3) TG coaching the olympic team.
This destroyed team chemistry, leadership and cohesion and took TG away from his top priority, coaching the hockey team for almost 2months, with selections. practices, planning, etc.
Summary: Those three things (in the first 3 years!!) were awful decisions by TG and UW. Off ice distractions that took away from the top priority of restablishing the program and left them milquetoast and listless like a glass of room temperature milk.
I think now that Mac has his feet under him, if it's a disastrous start, and it very well could be...TG may not even last the year. Ill be tuned in specifically to watch it all go down
In the end the program needs a coach fully focused and dedicated to bringing in and developing talent solely in pursuit of championships and uncerimoniously eliminating obstacles that get in the way of that prime goal/directive. We are down to brass tacks and I think this year we will get long coveted insight into how the Ath Dept and univ truly view the hockey progm.
