The Los Angeles Kings held a press conference announcing Jim Hiller as the clubs head coach.
That press conference had a few interesting nuggets, particularly Rob Blake's comments about the Kings needing to raise their desire to win.
"What we've come to realize, and Jim and I are on the same page," said Blake. "There is a certain desire to win that needs to be raised within our team here."
This tracks with Anze Kopitar's comment about needing to re-discover a winning culture in the organization in his exit interview.
Blake then went on to describe that desire to win as getting uncomfortable, getting to the front of the net and being willing to take a beating to score goals in the playoffs.
Blake's right, this team is missing that element and needs to find it if they're going to make noise in the playoffs.
However, acknowledging that problem and solving it are two drastically different things.
I don't imagine the Kings are just now realizing you need to get into those areas to succeed.
I doubt Hiller was telling players, "don't worry about getting to the front of the net, just play from the perimeter." Against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Kings just weren't doing that. Which raises the question, will a team that is going to be largely the same next season be able to do it?
This roster feels like it's filled with too many players who either aren't willing or aren't able to play that game.
There are a few players who can, Quinton Byfield scored the majority of his 20 goals in front of the net. We know Phil Danault and Adrian Kempe will get to that area too.
However, after them, there aren't many players. Pierre-Luc Dubois is able but not consistently willing. While someone like Alex Laferriere or Blake Lizotte is willing but not always able.
It's now Hiller's job to find a way to make a team that's consistently not gotten uncomfortable and found that desire to win, to find it.
The concern is, the roster Blake and Luc Robitaille built simply can't do it.
If Hiller can get the team to play the style of hockey Blake outlined, this team has some hope for a trip to the second round next season.
If he can't, it will be another disappointing end.