The Raycroft Case

Since the B's goaltenders are struggling; the B's take a couple of shots on Blogs and sports boards regarding the way they handle the Raycroft situation. But, do the B's have to take a 100% blame here. I don't think so. Last year was a bad one for everyone. The Front Office was incompetent as the coaching and the team never recover from a lazy start and fall apart when JT was shipped to SJ. The goaltending was terrible and Razor had a difficult start. Then, Toivonnen and Thomas emerge from the ashes with solid performances and, from there, everything was said and done. So, in that context, who should take the blame?.


Well, I think we can fairly say that both side misplayed the whole situation but i think the real beginning of that story would be the negociation of Raycroft's contract. JJ's strategy painted the team in a corner. They have to rebuild the whole roster by acquiring free agents. The problem here was that they forgot that they had, in their organisation, player who deserved a raise. Raycroft deserved one and i think the B's offer was decent for a second year rookie. The Raycroft's clan didn't think so and took the hard line by pulling an Holdout. This strategy was flawed from the beginning since: 1- The B's had an history of turning down any players who want to play the hard line with them; 2- After a one year hiatus, Raycroft got late on the ice and was not prepared enough for the new NHL. In fact, the whole roster was not. So, in that regard, Raycroft is guilty. I would also questionned his attitude through the season. I didn't say that he shouldn't feel that way, but he surely had the obligation to be a professionnal and i think that, sometimes, he was not.

The B's have to look in the mirror too and the whole " let's buy a roster strategy " was nothing less then stupid. But let's face it, it was a Jacobs strategy. So,what can you expect then?. The money was an issue and once again, in the training camp, the team find herself in a position where not 1 but 2 players were on a holdout. So, after a tussle and a money juggling extravaganza, Raycroft was ready to go on ice. His performances were less then impressive ( he was slow and allow too many softies) . Suddenly, Toivonnen rise to the occasion and took the #1 job. At one point, They should wait and see and allow Raycroft to recover from his bad start. Instead of being patient and articulate; the B's brought Thomas as a backup. That move could only lead to a desaster since Raycroft knew, at this point, that the front office didn't believe in him anymore. Raycroft was not the rookie of the year anymore; he was considered as a flop ( in MOC mind ). From there, Raycroft was put aside and start to be very unhappy ( who wouldn't ). The point of no return was reached.

So, who should take the blame here? Well the two sides should. Raycroft have a good season this year and there's no doubt, in my mind, that his preparation was better and his motivation higher then the Eiffel tower. Yes, Razor is gone and the B's look follish. At least, they got one of the finnest futur goaltender in the world in return. But, for now, they are stuck with two middle range keepers; a question mark and maybe an horrible season. Time will tell.