This could be the year...

I've seen it leading up to this the last couple of years. Everything seems to go in cycles and it may have come full circle for the bolts. They went from being a league cellar dweller to being an elite team to being a fairly good team. More so this season and last it has been very evident how much the team relies on the big three. Besides them and Prospal chipping in a bit, there isn't much other offense. I think the last year or two we've been on suicide watch for the team, hoping they can keep it together. I think this year though may be the year that we finally, unfortunately, see one or more of the top players on the team moved. I thought the sale of the team to the new ownership group might be the saving grace for the team in an effort to keep them together. Now that that's fallen through and the poor effort the team has been putting up this year, I'm not seeing them making the playoffs and I see one or more top salary players being moved. The Bolts have been Bill Davidson's stepchild, always taking a far backseat to his Pistons. I think at this point without better production giving him the almighty dollar, he'll look to spend less and that brings an end to the reign of the big three. Also, this season thus far with Dan Boyle's injury, it's getting an eye opener at how important he is to the team and also how they'll adjust for next year when they'll more than likely be without him because he'll demand top dollar that the Bolts can't match on the free agent market. Also, do Torts and Feaster remain with the organization after this season if they continue to spiral and are in position for a high draft pick and not in position to make the playoffs. Time is going to tell. As a fan I'm hanging on and hoping for the best, I just know what I see and have seen, and it doesn't look good for now. Who knows though, maybe if a major overhaul does happen it may be good for the team...bring in balanced scoring. Hey, it worked for Philly, maybe it'll work for the Bolts too. I'm not even going to get into the goaltending. Holmqvist has been brilliant at times and horrid at others. His inconsistancy is the killer and the frustrating part. I said before they got Denis that he wasn't worth it, certainly not worth Freddy Modin. The team hasn't been the same since that disasterous trade. Maybe if they are forced to trade a top salary player it'll free up money that can bring in free agents and upgrade the goaltending and balance out the scoring. Who knows, there are soo many variables possible. I don't think Feaster is the guy anymore. I think a more aggressive, cut-throat GM is needed who demands production or you're gone. I don't know, I've just never been much of a fan of some of his decisions. Also, I think Torts is a great coach but I think he may have run his course with this team and they may not be playing as hard for him or listening as intently to him as they should. I think a shake-up may be the answer. I'm not happy it's come to that at all, and I'll continue to support the team regardless, but this looks like where we are headed. We'll see though...time will tell, just seems like this may be the year that we've hoped wouldn't come...