Every team needs a scapegoat. We could definitely use a guy with better defensive schemes, but he isn't the reason our guys sucked.
While I'm glad McCrimmon's gone, I have to agree somewhat. In 2007-08 (when they were hungry for a cup) they were tops in goals allowed per game and third in goals scored per game. The next year, they were first in GS/G but dropped hugely to 21st in GA/G. Last year Detroit was 7th in GA/G, pretty respectable if you ask me. That year, though, they couldn't score nearly as well (due in part to the outrageous rash of injuries). This year, once again their scoring was up but defense was down. Last year, when their defensive game was better, they were 83.9% on the PK - only 0.1% lower than in our cup-winning 2007-08 season.
While McCrimmon certainly hasn't helped at all - and for that reason I support him not being brought back - there's obviously something wrong with our players' commitment. They haven't been able to bring it both offensively and defensively, there's been a tradeoff in the past few years but they have shown that they can be successful both on offense and on defense under our current coaching... just not at the same time.
