I'm not sure about Murphy, but I'll say this about the players: they don't give a shit about the rebuild, and I can't necessarily blame them. If anything, that's only fueled them to prove the critics wrong and that is why they are exceeding expectations right now. Just because the GM wants to tank -- which he certainly does -- doesn't mean the players and the coaches will oblige, even if we the fans want them to.
The good thing -- for those who want a rebuild -- is that, if this trend continues, Davidson will surely start shipping guys out the minute he has the slightest justification (i.e. a 3-game losing streak, etc.). He's shown to be ruthless in that respect. Davidson still can control the fate of this team, regardless of if the players/coaches are on board with him or not.
As I said elsewhere, other teams just need to make book on the 'hawks and the losses should come. Back in 2010 Colorado started off 9-1-2 after their first 12 and then plummeted to 28th out of 30 teams. We have been getting decent goaltending, but ultimately we just don't have the core of talent. Who are the gamebreakers--as in night-in/night/out guys who could carry the other 19 players' carcasses? Kane? Sure. Toews? I wouldn't put it past him. Jones? Maybe. Who else? No one. Some guys might be overextending themselves but chances are most guys will regress to their mean.
I don't think the coaches or players would ever actively tank and throw games, but as-constructed the critical mass of talent just isn't there. On any of the cup-winning teams, where would these players as they are now slot? Not high at all--outside of K/T/SJ.
Plus, as you mention, yes, Davidson can start shipping out guys who look to be too good, but looking at it: The 'hawks are 31st out of 32 right now in SF/G (25.4), 24th in GF/G (2.83), 26th in SA/G (34.3), and 16th in GA/G (3.17). Plus, we add in the fact that Toews is shooting at over 30% right now (which *will* come back down), everything indicates that the 'hawks should normalize to at least bottom-third of the league, if not bottom-5.
The net positive though is that LR has a good system in place. We might not have the critical mass to execute, but it's *a* system and it's not 19 players plus a goalie playing individually like JC's regime. This is something for guys like Reichel, Korch, and Nazar to build towards.
