What a disappointing season that was
I've never been a JB fan at all. And I will acknowledge that injuries were a significant issue all season long. That said I think there were more pressing issues on this team. A lack of cohesion, undefined roles, defensive zone struggles and a host of other things that I can only speculate on but perhaps those within the organization may have to evaluate on. Those are failures as a coach.
As a GM JB may have even fared worse. After years of struggling to acquire depth (on ice and on the draft board) all that was squandered away in a few short months. A GM is supposed to have the best interests of the organizations future. The Spooner, Ritchie/Anderson trades were short sighted and should be reserved for teams on the cusp. At no point this season did this Sting team show that they were that close to contending for a final 4 appearance - on the ice at least. The team you have on paper is not always the team that shows up on the ice.
For all his short comings at least McQueen had the foresight to take flyers on Boucher and Murphy. I wonder going forward if these prospects, their nhl teams or agents/advisers shy away from the Sting franchise. Unlike Windsor, London, Plymouth or Kitchen the revolving door in the front office and its track record may prove more harmful than their on ice record. The goodwill built up by getting elite prospects to show up and then flaming out can only be measured by what is done in the future.
(Strangely enough, I'm advocating a front office change while at the same time acknowledging more upheaval may be detrimental to the team)
The bright side at least is that those same long term injuries this season may be blessings for 2012-13 since Galy and Murphy look to be back. Most of their D will be back. After that there are a host of question marks that need to be answered
