Sptsman,
Griff was essentially laying all of the blame for late season swoon on the players. I felt that maybe Hitchcock should shoulder some of the blame. Everyone is saying this is a "make it or break it" year for the Note and they have to go deep in the playoffs. I was pointing out that while Hitchcock has had a lot of regular season success but his teams have not had as good of success in the playoffs. That 1999 Stars team had (among others) Belfour between the pipes and had Hull, Modano, Niewendyk and Lehtinen. I was pointing out that he had a lot of his playoff success with one team in two seasons. And it happened a long time ago. The game has changed (rules, penalties, etc.) and for good or bad the typical NHL player has changed. Great coaches adapt to change. I am not sure that that Hitchcock has done that. That being said, I sincerely hope I'm wrong and this team hoists the Cup.