During the timeout in the first period players jumped off the bench and huddled around the coach. I did see mesar sat thier cleaning his visor paying no attention, beside him was pinelli. Pinelli sat on the bench and was the furthest player from the coach. He sat their and made no eye contact with the coach for the entire timeout.
That to me shows players tuning out the coach and/or think they're bigger then the team.
We really miss Martin up front. He's really the only forward that offers a different dynamic to the group. Plays a heavier game. Swick and Misaljevic are two players who don't do much for me but yet get a lot of opportunities. At least Zidlicky plays with pace, battles, has skill. I do feel Z needs to make smarter plays and not always go 1000 miles an hour but there is a lot of talent and ability there compared to other two left wingers I mentioned. Mercer, morey, pugliese have shown no progress this year. Mercer floats and then if he gets the puck it’s a dump and change
This teams needs a shake up… asap. Coach firing, trade of a significant piece
I don’t know what’s going on with Pinelli. But for some reason, his wires have crossed this weekend. Mouth guard misconducts in consecutive games Friday and Saturday and then the match for cross checking tonight. All out of character if you ask me. The 10 on Friday night is one thing, but to get another on Saturday then the match tonight has me wondering if he’s rebelling against the coach.
The Rangers, expected to be a top contender this year, are one point out of the basement after tonight. Many are pointing fingers behind the bench. Scrambling of lines, etc. Hell, even starting an ill Costantini in consecutive games Sat and Sun admitting on pre and post game shows that he wasn’t 100% healthy with Vandenberg available who stole the win on Friday night. It has to be frustrating as a player when you see a less than able goalie allow 3-0 and 4-0 first period leads on shots that by all accounts, we’re easy saves. The Rangers are struggling and the players are assuredly trying to right the apple cart but the coach seemed to handcuff them the last couple games.
I don’t see Pinelli going anywhere anytime soon. But what you might see is a coaching change sooner than later. Nothing seems to be clicking with this team right now and this weekend might have been the straw that broke the camels back.
If anything, I’d expect a coaching change before any drastic trades be they in area of buying or selling.
You’re right about Mercer. He was one of the reasons that I was so high on the 05 group. I expected so much more this year. Sure he was hurt early on so there’s that, but still he’s leaving me wanting with his play right now.
Our OA F’s we’re hurting us early on. I had each penciled in for over a point a game this year. Around 80pts. But lately I’m liking Serpa’s drive. He may not be an elite OA, but he at least looks like he could maybe be top six material on a contender. At worst a very strong third liner.
Valade on the other hand, not so much. For me, he’s spinning his wheels. What he’s giving us right now is the same that most of the bottom six gives us. And therefore, I’d just as soon have a younger guy play those minutes. Today, if I’m running the show and going all in, I 100% upgrade that OA spot. On a contender, he cannot be one of our OA’s. And I’m not waiting around to see if he has a better second half like he did last year. Cannot afford that luxury.
