I too am not going to start questioning the ability of the coaching staff. Last season was similar to the first Bruins season after Bergeron and Krejci retired. We thought the team would see a big drop given the talent that left (e.g. Lane, Macklin), but they went on to have a very good year, much better than expected. Now a year after that, the pain is being felt. Two years in a row of losing upperclassmen that made key contributions not just in terms of goals and assists. Two years ago we lost guys like Webber, Case McCarthy, Sam Stevens, I know I am missing others. Now you add onto that losing upperclassmen Quinn H., Tuch, Kaplan along with now NHLer Willander, and it's been too much of a leadership void in a two year period.
The only senior is in his first season at BU. Junior Harvey is a streaky scorer and not much else. On D, Gavin McCarthy is steady and generally reliable. But Celebrini is a bottom 6 guy on a good team. So leadership and experience is one big difference. Another is the production from the skill guys. Whether it's related to his WJC injury or not, Cole H. is not playing the way he did last season. Boumedienne flashes the skating and shot on occasion, but seems to be susceptible to bad decisions. Eiserman is hustling and battling but obviously he is not likely to equal his 25 goals from last season. Ritchie has struggled to adjust, his stock was probably inflated by playing with McKenna last season. I think he can still be a good player for BU, he just isn't there yet. Like Ritchie, Boisvert has been exposed as struggling to battle through physical play. Fondrk also is struggling to adjust.
The players I have the most confidence in are Roukunakis, Merrill, Morello and Bednarik. In general guys that aren't expected to score a lot. I also like what I see from Tynan Lawrence. Sure, he isn't lighting it up, but given how young he is, he looks like a very smart player who knows where to be and what plays to make. The skill will catch up as he adjusts.