GDT: GAME 65: YOUR SEATTLE KRAKEN (27-33-4) at the Capitals from some other Washington (41-14-8), 12:30pm PDT

[Fistfullofbeer]

Looks like the caps were saving a bit for the third period. They've started to push now.

Probably thought we would roll over and lose. LOL. Not they are in, alright, this is getting silly mode. LOL.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Not exactly surprised.

 

[CLW]

I do understand that if the hits are lopsided for one team, it generally means that you are chasing the puck which is a bad sign. But, a right timed hit can also change momentum and generate turnovers.

I never played hockey growing up so don't know if hitting can be taught or coached to players. We don't really have any players in our top-9 that finish checks.

Yeah it's not so much about hitting for the sake of hitting, but using the heavier body, longer reach helps when you battle over and over. I don't mean you play stupid oafs with no puck skills that's even worse, but when your team is simply pushed aside much of the time it makes things very hard on you.

 

[CLW]

Not exactly surprised.

No, this is so typical of a team that's not nearly good enough. Entirely predictable. We look so much like all those awful Buffalo teams tbh. Too open, too weak at the back end leaking goals, huffing and puffing to score.

We were cruising and then Montour left his brain in the locker room coming out to start the second period and they equalized. That's just an example from this game. Now they left a guy open in the slot. 3-2. All season it's been those silly mistakes that end up in the back of the net.

 

[CLW]

I can't see how Francis survives the post-season review. The list of mistakes and issues is damning.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

No, this is so typical of a team that's not nearly good enough. Entirely predictable. We look so much like all those awful Buffalo teams tbh. Too open, too weak at the back end leaking goals, huffing and puffing to score.

We were cruising and then Montour left his brain in the locker room coming out to start the second period and they equalized. That's just an example from this game. Now they left a guy open in the slot. 3-2. All season it's been those silly mistakes that end up in the back of the net.

So a lot of undisciplined hockey. Combination of better coaching and more talent would help. Maybe some players that are also not small, and willing to be engaged physically in the top-9.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I can't see how Francis survives the post-season review. The list of mistakes and issues is damning.

Tell them that he is willing to be aggressive with all the draft capital he has to improve the team next season? I genuinely don't know. This season seems worst than our 1st season. Atleast we had the excuse then of being a 1st year team.

 

[CLW]

So a lot of undisciplined hockey. Combination of better coaching and more talent would help. Maybe some players that are also not small, and willing to be engaged physically in the top-9.

Yeah, our guys battle they are just not strong enough as a group. Too many small/slight guys even if they have speed. Also the D, as I said earlier I like them individually, but not as a group. It's the same with the forwards. I like them, but not as a group. The balance is off.

I don't see Bylsma's scheme as NHL worthy. He seems a top guy so that's unfortunate, but the results are in the pudding.

 

[CLW]

Tell them that he is willing to be aggressive with all the draft capital he has to improve the team next season? I genuinely don't know. This season seems worst than our 1st season. Atleast we had the excuse then of being a 1st year team.

I doubt his record allows him that kind of pull. This mess is 100% his responsibility. Maybe they don't want to fire him with all the smoke they've been blowing about being a good team by year 5, that's probably his last life buoy... But letting a desperate Francis off the leash now will clearly only make things worse.

e: You kind of said it too. The excuse of being a 1st year team is long gone. Francis has run out of excuses at this point.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Yeah, our guys battle they are just not strong enough as a group. Too many small/slight guys even if they have speed. Also the D, as I said earlier I like them individually, but not as a group. It's the same with the forwards. I like them, but not as a group. The balance is off.

I don't see Bylsma's scheme as NHL worthy. He seems a top guy so that's unfortunate, but the results are in the pudding.

If Francis is back as GM, I doubt he does anything to fix the coaching. The best foot forward, in my mind, would be to replace/promote Francis and hire a new GM.

Francis may be "aggressive" if he is still the GM but I have no idea what that means for him and if he is capable of taking the risks.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I doubt his record allows him that kind of pull. This mess is 100% his responsibility.

Yes.

Maybe they don't want to fire him with all the smoke they've been blowing about being a good team by year 5, that's probably his last life buoy... But letting a desperate Francis off the leash now will clearly only make things worse.

That is my biggest concern.

e: You kind of said it too. The excuse of being a 1st year team is long gone. Francis has run out of excuses at this point.

 

[CLW]

If Francis is back as GM, I doubt he does anything to fix the coaching. The best foot forward, in my mind, would be to replace/promote Francis and hire a new GM.

Francis may be "aggressive" if he is still the GM but I have no idea what that means for him and if he is capable of taking the risks.

Yeah promote him out of the way for his Old Boy connections, bring in a very sharp guy (Zito style) to sort out the long list of very real issues.