How would YOU tackle this early season slump?
- Thread starter WTFMAN99
- Start date
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LeafalCrusader
Registered User
New GM. Give him as much time as possible evaluate what changes need to be made.
Ride or die until Christmas. No big moves.
If this core can't play themselves solidly into a playoff spot by game 40 the guy that bet his tenure on them is gone, and so is one of them.
If they can then none of this matters and we go into the playoffs guns blazing.
If this core can't play themselves solidly into a playoff spot by game 40 the guy that bet his tenure on them is gone, and so is one of them.
If they can then none of this matters and we go into the playoffs guns blazing.
Fire Dubas, Keefe and Shanahan.
It's time to let new management take a crack at this core. Get management that's not afraid to hold anybody accountable.
It's time to let new management take a crack at this core. Get management that's not afraid to hold anybody accountable.
Mickey Marner
Registered User
I would have made the necessary changes years ago to avoid being in this position. At this point there’s nothing you can do besides hoping they figure it out and Matthews re-signs. Can’t fix culture mid-season.
WTFMAN99
Registered User
- Jun 17, 2009
- 34,627
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Do you think going that long or trading a core guy could effect Matthews re-signing or is it "f*** it, we gotta change regardless"
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
- 8,590
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I'd typically prefer any major changes (firings, blockbuster/hockey trades) to be done in the offseason. That said, the current grip on a playoff spot is quite difficult to take.
HolyCrap
Team before player
- Oct 2, 2015
- 5,392
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Trapper
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2013
- 24,660
- 12,830
Why bother at this point.
You bet your career on this core and legendary coach.
Let them figure it out.
This is the year you either get it, or change it.
You bet your career on this core and legendary coach.
Let them figure it out.
This is the year you either get it, or change it.
Split up Matthews and Marner 
You just gotta ride it out for a bit.
You just gotta ride it out for a bit.
If we're in that position I'm not against Matthews being the guy traded (though I would prefer Marner)
And frankly, if we're in that position it's time to acknowledge that betting on the core was the wrong move.
If we do move one of them midseason there's almost certainly money coming back, and a substantial part of the return is going to be playing talent. If we're not too far out that shake up could see a run happen. We'd still have JT/Nylander/ one M/ Rielly etc. + that return
I think Matthew's intentions would be more influenced by the new GM's plans for the team and how we finished out. But it's hard to see him committing a year out with a new GM coming off a non-playoff/ wildcard season
Captain Crunch
Registered User
- Mar 31, 2019
- 2,432
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I hope if/when Dubas is fired, Shanahan is as well. As far as I’m concerned, he’s as much to blame as Dubas.
Fire the GM. Although I wanted to do that after the Columbus series.
ULF_55
Moderator
Dubas has to bear down and try harder, perhaps double the pre-game smelling salts he consumes.
Seriously, right now my only move might be the coach.
Unless we believe their scouting right back to Rielly hasn't been very good, and it is the players.
John Taves is in the top 30 for scoring ... best on the team.
Seriously, right now my only move might be the coach.
Unless we believe their scouting right back to Rielly hasn't been very good, and it is the players.
John Taves is in the top 30 for scoring ... best on the team.
SprDaVE
Moderator
- Sep 20, 2008
- 55,819
- 41,077
Maybe some perspective would help? What do these teams have in common?
- 2021-22: Colorado - 4-5-1
- 2020-21: Tampa Bay - 8-1-1
- 2019-20: Tampa Bay - 5-3-2
- 2018-19: St. Louis - 3-4-3
- 2017-18: Washington - 4-5-1
We can't be held to ransom by any single player. The idea we can't trade a player or change GMs because Matthew's is a UFA after next year is insane. Give them all another year for when Marner needs a contract? What about when Minten needs a contract? Or whoever we draft this year.
The players think they're bigger than the organization sure. But I personally do not.
GoonieFace
Registered User
Changes should have already been made, and the wheels keep spinning. Welcome to insanity
Time to get rid of Dubas , his arrogance alone with trading for Murray thinking somehow he’d get a different result with him is a fireable offense. Imagine having Kerfoot and Holl for same price as Hyman. Terrible cap management.
I don’t think we do anything drastic. This “early season slump” still sees us tied for second in the Atlantic. 4 wins (3 against pretty good teams and 1 okay team) 4 losses (1 good team and 3 shit teams). We were worse last year! I still feel that anger surge remembering that loss to the Scranton Penguins last year. I hate how they do this, I really do, but this team has it in them to go on a run just like they did last season. The Atlantic will be way more tight this year so I hope they put it together quick!
They all won at least one playoff round in either of the two years prior to winning the Cup?
Tufted Titmouse
13 Cups.
- Apr 5, 2022
- 6,222
- 8,322
Columbus was way too early.
It was the Montreal series which really put this group on shaky ground.
BlueBaron
Registered User
Can't answer that without know more about Muzzins outlook.
Any team missing two dmen like Muzzin and Lil would be having troubles. Liligren returning pushes Holl out of a lot of critical minutes which is a huge improvement.
If Muzzin is done I get a real power forward (or the closest thing) for the top line and look for a Holl upgrade. I'll give the goalie situation a pass until the deadline. If Sam does what I hope it's probably fine.
We need some mean guys in those 2 spots.
If that fails and you get no deeper it might be time to fire Dubas and break up the big 4.
Any team missing two dmen like Muzzin and Lil would be having troubles. Liligren returning pushes Holl out of a lot of critical minutes which is a huge improvement.
If Muzzin is done I get a real power forward (or the closest thing) for the top line and look for a Holl upgrade. I'll give the goalie situation a pass until the deadline. If Sam does what I hope it's probably fine.
We need some mean guys in those 2 spots.
If that fails and you get no deeper it might be time to fire Dubas and break up the big 4.
GoonieFace
Registered User
Yup, a run to the greatest regular season point total in franchise history. I freaking hate that they haven’t gotten through to the second round in forever but it doesn’t erase that fact. Hate on them all you want, I’ll still be cheering for them.
It would've saved us loads of time if they acted after Columbus. We'd have won a round by now for sure. Most likely the Montreal series.
