Not good enough - no playoffs again!

[LiseL]

I mean statistically Tkachuk is a top 25 forward & top 6 winger in terms of production.

In terms of production, I'd say its fine to add Tkachuk to Stu and Sandy as the elite core.

Yes, but how much of his production is due to cheating for offence? He was on the ice for all 3 goals the other night and produced 0. He needs to be sheltered with 2 reponsible linemates to make up for his lack of attention to defence.

I only consider Stu and Sandy (if he can get back to his normal play) as our elite core. I think Yak will make it 3 once he makes the team. If Ullmark can return to form, then he's the 4th.

Pinto's value is he is a right shot center, something rare so I'd keep him. He already knows how to play 200-ft game, don't know what's been going on with him lately. Nagging injury?

 

[LiseL]

The problem is that shit happens to every team, every team makes mistakes that ends up in the net, every team's goalie has bad games.

This roster is proving to be incapable of recovering from setbacks. It is a bit ridiculous how the Philly game, a game where we were dominant has led to this skid. It is kind of sad really.

I haven't given up, it is still early, but I'm definitely starting to wonder if this core can be salvaged from the damage Dorion/Melnyk inflicted on them.

The team is playing so much better than they did under DJ Smith, even when the team looks flat under Green, they don't look completely outmatched like when DJ was in charge.

The results are a major bummer but the team plays like it belongs in the NHL, this hasn't been the case for a long time. We looked like a Junior team for most of Dorion's tenure.

It feels like we are so close to being good but the core's confidence is too easily shattered. They never learned how to get back up after a gut punch.

But can you teach mental fortitude, being clutch when it matters? I think the issue is that there are too many top players who suffer from this. If there were only 1-2, then other players could set the tone, take the team on their backs and move forward. Who on this team can do that? I don't see anybody. When the going gets tough, they either revert back to their bad habits or do a lot of puck watching.

 

[LiseL]

The GM was his guy who won him championships in junior. Agree or disagree with the move, I don’t think he cheaped out - he went with the guy he knew.

And SS was being groomed as GM in Edmonton was he not? Now they're stuck with Bowman. I don't think the issues with this team have anything to do with the GM change, it's mostly due to the core.

Although I am starting to question some of Green's decisions. Like the last game, PP2 scores a goal (Gaudette) and they get another PP in the final minutes of the 3rd period. So what does he do: puts in PP1 for the entire PP and they do nothing. Also, he doesn't adjust their play based on their opponent. This team really struggles with fast, possession teams (Avs, Buffalo, Montreal). Why do they try to keep up with them? They need to slow them down, clog up the neutral zone, etc. Also, D seem to always be pinching, even when it's not advisable to do so. They also seem to have issues with line changes. Is this a case of not throwing too much info at the players to not overwhelm them or is it a case of a coach who can't make adjustments on the fly? I guess time will tell.

 

[LiseL]

We are 11th in the NHL in the goals for per game at 3.11
We are tied for 10th with Detroit goals against per game at 3.21

Part of the GPG stat is skewed by the 2 games they scored 8 goals (LA, STL). At the rate they've been scoring lately, that # will get smaller as the season progresses.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

This team hasn’t looked good since the Philly game. It broke them. Canucks are missing their 3 best skaters and the Sens look like a peewee team tonight

 

[inthewings]

OK this team f***ing sucks. We're in a rebuild the rebuild situation here. Dorion legit did like 10-15 years of damage.

 

[jg729]

We should start a poll on what season they will make the playoffs. Because it’s not even close, all the top players suck

 

[Gil Gunderson]

It’s legit funny that this season was ended by Michkov. This team is so shellshocked and has given up because they don’t believe they can do it.

 

[ottawagm]

I'd rather keep Norris over Greig. He's good on the PK, has a great shot, plays a 200-ft game and can finish. I can't say the same for Greig. He's ceiling is bottom 6 IMO.

Agree that Norris is the better player but I think we need the cap space to invest in a different type of player. Need more speed/physicality in the top 6 imo.

 

[Dionysus]

It's such a shame the season has been pretty well lost in November again. Team felt the pressure and folded.

Very disappointing as a fan. Games are verging on being meaningless already and it's not even December.