Well Mann may not be happy with the goalie situation, he’s the coach and that’s in the GM’s hand. Mann sees these guys practice everyday and probably sees more than anybody who he thinks his best shot is in net at getting two points. For the first half of the season our defence has played below grade, way too many goals given away through bad decision clearing passes, blocked Shots turning into breakaways and goals given up because we were out of position.
The second issue is certain players going through the motions and losing the board battles and having a poor compete. Regardless of the record right now I believe Mann is doing a great job. The PP is vastly improved, we typically gave up a breakaway or goal on just about every PP during Caputi’s tenure, the PP now has lots of movement. On PK at times we are excellent, but only when we play an aggressive style, when we stay stationary boxed in and tight we are in trouble.
With the addition of Schmidt, he is solid, forget the plus/minus for his first few games he is going to be a game changer. I think this and the fact Ludwinski played the last couple of games shows they could potentially be buyers right now. This division is way too close in points, one bad weekend can move you from top to bottom. Kingston is in last place right now but that means nothing, we have a coach who uses structure, we have just improved our d core, our top line is working well, Frasca, and Hemstrom are playing well. McNammara seems to be putting it together and our fourth/third line of Poole, Heyes and Callans has been playing with a ton of energy and snot. With Kingston improving their d core I can see a couple of potential moves but I’m just a sideline coach like everyone else.
1. Thibideau- could be in the mix. He should have enough trade value to bring in a bigger, stronger player. I’ve been critical of Thibideau at times for his poor decision making when he has a chance to pass but would rather shoot from bad angles. He’s a talented player but may not fit into Mann’s team game and I’m sure Thibideau isn’t happy about being pushed down to the third line
2. Miedema- he has been really hot at times but a ghost for so many other games. I do think he’s working harder lately but takes lots of shifts off for a top six forward. There could be a decent return for a player they could use both this year and next.
3. Hopkins- May be a long shot to be given up, but has had lots of ice all through the lie-up this year, has played both PP and PK. He’s a hard working kid, good skater but will he be a top six forward next year? I think they have a good asset in Hopkins that could get them a decent return.
4. As others have said, they need another goalie that could share the workload. Vaccari is exceptional in my opinion but the backend d has forced the coach to play Vaccari too much.
I think the second half of the season will be much better than the first. Make the play-offs and anything can happen.