Panic doesn't feel like the right word, I would go more with 'deeply concerned', with the direction this team is headed. It's also fair to start questioning the people in charge on the way things are going. We gave Poile and Lavy all the credit in the world when things were going well, so it's only fair to call them out when they aren't. This team feels like it was constructed backwards sometimes. Over emphasized on D-men that are more offensive minded than defensive, and then stock pile and sometimes over pay for bottom six style more defensive minded forwards to compensate who can't drive offensive play or score consistently. The result of that, is what we're seeing on the ice right now... Defensive breakdowns from guys who forget their not actually forwards, and wingers who seem a step slower than everyone on the ice, cant handle passes or hold on to puck, and when they do get shots off, they can't seem to hit the net.
I love how Poile is able to convince good players to take discounts to keep playing here, and his willingness to make potentially unpopular moves for the long-term health of the team, but you have to question some of his recent moves, and some of the lack-there-of. It's too early to call the Turris trade a total bust yet, but it's looking that way. He gave up a lot and paid up for a guy who clearly can't create offense on his own and needs wingers playing well between him to get anything out of him. Poile's a smart guy who had to have known this when he ponied up for him. If he didn't than it's on him. The Boyle trade would've been great last year when the team was playing well, his skill set really would've helped then. This year though, he fills a need that feels like 5th or 6th on the list of 'issues that need to be fixed'.
As much as I hate to say it too, I really don't think Poile should've have signed Ellis. He Either should've traded him in the off season, or waited to the deadline this year, and maybe we could've gotten that scoring depth we desperately need to be a more well-balanced team. Now with that contract, Poile's basically married himself to a smallish defenseman whose injury prone, and sadly seems to be regressing as a player, at least defensively. I like Ellis, but I'd rather have Ekholm and Josi right now than him or Subban... With the contracts the way they are though, you either have to let Josi walk after next year in order to balance the team out, or strangle your salary cap to death in order to keep Poile's beloved D-man all together. I hate the thought of potentially having to give up Ekholm, or shudder to think, Arvy or Forsberg down the road because we're up against the cap and they're the only guys we got with contracts friendly enough to move.