GDT: This Is 40: Blue Jackets @ Coyotes

[Summer Rose]

Dead serious to be honest.

 

[KG]

People around here acting like we can just magically fix the issues with a farm team call-up or some mythical trade that clearly isn't going to happen until the deadline.

Doan out, Z out, Morris sucking, Smith being average, OEL slumping, Vrbata cold streak, Riberio being meh 5on 5 and some fringe players playing top line minutes and this is what you get.

Playing .500 hockey is not surprising given the above issues. There isn't an answer from the farm team. Yandle and Vermette playing their hearts won't get them to playoff contention in the west.

We can only hope they continue to play .500 hockey up until the olympic break. Then come back with Doan and etc rested and then we make a run. TBH .500 hockey is pretty good with the issues we have.

Stop hoping for a trade that's obviously not going to happen. We have to hold on until the deadline and pray we can make a run.

 

[Longwayfromhome]

This. I think Moss is the guy to go in a package for that elusive winger. In addition to his hands of stone, his net presence won't be as needed when we have a healthy Doan, plus Hanzal. As well, Moss' salary ($2M+) is a good send-back in a trade for cap purposes. There's no way we'd re-sign him either, unless he takes a drastic (i.e., 50%) pay cut.

Not to mention paying $2,5M for Korpikoski. Total waste of $$ , and has been so the whole season. Haven't seen a single impressive game from him so far, he just floats and is not the threat he used to be.

 

[Sinurgy]

I expect some very hard practices to come as a result of this game. Losing is one thing but playing in such a pillow soft fashion and allowing the Blue Jackets to bully them has to piss the coaches off to no end. As a fan I certainly don't want to watch a goon team but I'd like to see a team that won't take **** either. Basically I want the team to have a Shane Doan like mentality! At least Yandle stuck up for OEL but overall, I wanted much more of a team response to what was occurring on the ice. Weak sauce tonight guys, weak sauce!

 

[zerekstar]

This would have been the time for Brown to make his mark. I thought he was supposed to be a tough guy and he had opportunity to defend a team mate and did nothing. Honestly Biz does more in a game then Brown anyway so why give Brown the roster spot. From what I have seen, this organization has way over estimated the effectiveness of Brown. Give it up. Total disappointment.

 

[zerekstar]

And as far as Mielle goes, my only problem with him is his size but the boys proved size doesn't matter so let him play.

 

[KG]

Brown has also disappointment me. I don't think his scoring prowess will ever translate to the NHL. He plays nervous in the NHL with no confidence. He will be a 4th liner at best. Hope I'm proven wrong.

 

[rt]

Brown will be fine. He's just not ready. He's NEVER been a tough guy, by the way. Not in terms of fighting.

Throws hard hits at lower levels but his timing is still so off at the NHL level.

 

[rt]

People around here acting like we can just magically fix the issues with a farm team call-up or some mythical trade that clearly isn't going to happen until the deadline.

Doan out, Z out, Morris sucking, Smith being average, OEL slumping, Vrbata cold streak, Riberio being meh 5on 5 and some fringe players playing top line minutes and this is what you get.

Playing .500 hockey is not surprising given the above issues. There isn't an answer from the farm team. Yandle and Vermette playing their hearts won't get them to playoff contention in the west.

We can only hope they continue to play .500 hockey up until the olympic break. Then come back with Doan and etc rested and then we make a run. TBH .500 hockey is pretty good with the issues we have.

Stop hoping for a trade that's obviously not going to happen. We have to hold on until the deadline and pray we can make a run.

I don't think anyone is saying that. I think some people are saying that certain players have been unacceptable and we would be better off if we replaced those players with new ones.

It's not exactly a radical line of thinking. Pretty standard.

 

[Etch]

I just find it frustrating that a healthy Coyote team is actually pretty close to a serious threat if we added just one more "top 6". This isn't exactly a surprise and we all saw it through the offseason. If DM had been just a little more pro active we could have a top 9 like
?? - Ribs - Doan
Boeds - Hanz - Vrby
Korpi - Vermette - Moss
and then have actual 4th line guys playing on the 4th line. Play around with those matchups as you want, but those are all fine top 9 guys.

Instead we now have our highest paid forward and "franchise center saviour" playing third line minutes with David Moss and who, Chris Brown last night? Meanwhile Tim Kennedy has a permanent spot on with Hanz -Vrby.

I know injuries happen, that's not my point. I find it frustrating that we were overflowing with D assets and couldn't find that one extra guy to be a threat up front. Now our forward lineup is littered with 4th liners and AHL guys and we sat Rundblad for about 20 games straight on D, for example.

This should have been dealt with in the summer, but I get the impression GMDM is just content playing out what we have in hopes that next year we can have Domi or someone else be that extra guy. It's frustrating

 

[PhoPhan]

"This team would be great if it were healthy" is a lousy way of thinking. By this point in the season, no team is really healthy, and as things heat up, you're probably looking at 25% of the league either sitting out or playing through pain. It's obviously worse when someone like Doan is hurt versus someone like Jeff Halpern, but that's life.

This was a brutal performance, and it wasn't an anomaly. They looked listless against a terrible Edmonton team, completely outclassed against San Jose and Anaheim, and then just miserable against Buffalo. They looked great early in the season, but all signs are pointing to that being a hot streak as opposed to this being a mere slump.

The skill is clearly there, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. In Tippett's fifth season here, I have trouble believing it's a systemic thing. They're just not working hard enough, and at a certain point, you need to shake things up somehow. Bottom six reshuffling isn't going to get it done.

And I know I'm not the only one *****ing about Tim Kennedy, but holy hell what a useless player. When the puck is on his stick, he either passes it to nobody, loses it in someone's skates, or falls to the ice. When the puck isn't on his stick, I don't really ever see him. Chris Brown wasn't great last night, but he was definitely more effective than Kennedy. Just a total waste of a roster spot, even with a few guys missing.

 

[Etch]

"This team would be great if it were healthy" is a lousy way of thinking. By this point in the season, no team is really healthy, and as things heat up, you're probably looking at 25% of the league either sitting out or playing through pain. It's obviously worse when someone like Doan is hurt versus someone like Jeff Halpern, but that's life.

This was a brutal performance, and it wasn't an anomaly. They looked listless against a terrible Edmonton team, completely outclassed against San Jose and Anaheim, and then just miserable against Buffalo. They looked great early in the season, but all signs are pointing to that being a hot streak as opposed to this being a mere slump.

The skill is clearly there, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. In Tippett's fifth season here, I have trouble believing it's a systemic thing. They're just not working hard enough, and at a certain point, you need to shake things up somehow. Bottom six reshuffling isn't going to get it done.

I tried making it clear by saying that injuries weren't the point of my post, but I'll say it again. I know every team gets injuries, that wasn't my point. I still think we went into the season with an obvious spot to fill and it's still unfilled to this day.

I agree it was a very, very poor performance. And you're right, another AHL call-up or bot 6 shuffle doesn't help. We need a top 6 winger, and that's not a new problem.

 

[Jamieh]

You guys do know that you can't just buy any player you want right? We have an internal budget and also not every player wants to come to Phoenix or play for Tipp.

 

[rt]

You guys do know that you can't just buy any player you want right? We have an internal budget and also not every player wants to come to Phoenix or play for Tipp.

Who are you attempting to educate?

 

[Jamieh]

The folks who write things like" waive a one way contract to the minors" and "let's just sign a top six forward" although those might be in another thread??? I am reading too many at once and merging my thoughts.

 

[rt]

Nobody is suggesting we "sign" a top six forward. Not sure any of those are free agents right now.

Also, I've suggested we waive Chipchura and Halpern but not that we actually assign them to the minors. You are aware that you can waive a player without assigning him, right?

Further, you may recall that we recently waived Klesla and assigned him to the minors, right? He makes more than both Halpern and Chipchura combined, anyway. Obviously we had the budget space for that move, right?

 

[Jakey53]

Brown will be fine. He's just not ready. He's NEVER been a tough guy, by the way. Not in terms of fighting.

Throws hard hits at lower levels but his timing is still so off at the NHL level.

I hope your right about Brown, but he hasn't shown me anything this year or last. He just seems lost out there.

 

[Jakey53]

Brown will be fine. He's just not ready. He's NEVER been a tough guy, by the way. Not in terms of fighting.

Throws hard hits at lower levels but his timing is still so off at the NHL level.

"This team would be great if it were healthy" is a lousy way of thinking. By this point in the season, no team is really healthy, and as things heat up, you're probably looking at 25% of the league either sitting out or playing through pain. It's obviously worse when someone like Doan is hurt versus someone like Jeff Halpern, but that's life.

This was a brutal performance, and it wasn't an anomaly. They looked listless against a terrible Edmonton team, completely outclassed against San Jose and Anaheim, and then just miserable against Buffalo. They looked great early in the season, but all signs are pointing to that being a hot streak as opposed to this being a mere slump.

The skill is clearly there, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. In Tippett's fifth season here, I have trouble believing it's a systemic thing. They're just not working hard enough, and at a certain point, you need to shake things up somehow. Bottom six reshuffling isn't going to get it done.

And I know I'm not the only one *****ing about Tim Kennedy, but holy hell what a useless player. When the puck is on his stick, he either passes it to nobody, loses it in someone's skates, or falls to the ice. When the puck isn't on his stick, I don't really ever see him. Chris Brown wasn't great last night, but he was definitely more effective than Kennedy. Just a total waste of a roster spot, even with a few guys missing.

Don't blame Kennedy for last nights terrible showing. We all know he is not a top six, but I think he has done better than what most of us have thought. If you are going to point fingers, start pointing at our so called leaders. Yandle and Vermette have been about the only one's leading since Doan's absence. Where the hell is Morris, Klesla, Hanzal to name a few. And don't forget Ribeiro and Vrbata, especially Vrbata. The bottom six can only do so much, but you need the leaders of this team to step up, which they have not.

 

[YandlesMother]

I'm also firmly in the Kennedy camp. He's stepped into top 6 minutes and done alright. He has had a rough patch though, that's for sure.

A few things. I know the attitude around here is fairly negative on Schlemko, but I did feel his game was competent in games leading up to his scratch. I'm glad Rundblad is getting time, but there's been very little that has shown me he is anything (to be fair, we haven't seen him dress much). That said, I want to know what we have...

All things considered, I don't come out of last night's game as negative as some of you. I think we had a few good chances that make it in often enough. Smith was good enough to win last night. It also showed me that despite OEL not having a fantastic month... my god we need him on the kill.

 

[Jamieh]

Etch suggested signing a top 6 forward a few posts up. You do realize that if you waive Chipchura it's the same salary and you have to add a salary to take the roster spot. Klesla being sent down I think most agree had something more to it. Maybe even on the personal side???

Nobody is suggesting we "sign" a top six forward. Not sure any of those are free agents right now.

Also, I've suggested we waive Chipchura and Halpern but not that we actually assign them to the minors. You are aware that you can waive a player without assigning him, right?

Further, you may recall that we recently waived Klesla and assigned him to the minors, right? He makes more than both Halpern and Chipchura combined, anyway. Obviously we had the budget space for that move, right?

 

[kihekah19*]

People around here acting like we can just magically fix the issues with a farm team call-up or some mythical trade that clearly isn't going to happen until the deadline.

Doan out, Z out, Morris sucking, Smith being average, OEL slumping, Vrbata cold streak, Riberio being meh 5on 5 and some fringe players playing top line minutes and this is what you get.

Playing .500 hockey is not surprising given the above issues. There isn't an answer from the farm team. Yandle and Vermette playing their hearts won't get them to playoff contention in the west.

We can only hope they continue to play .500 hockey up until the olympic break. Then come back with Doan and etc rested and then we make a run. TBH .500 hockey is pretty good with the issues we have.

Stop hoping for a trade that's obviously not going to happen. We have to hold on until the deadline and pray we can make a run.

Thank you. It was nice finally reading some common sense.

Of course a trade would be nice come deadline.

 

[rt]

Yes. I understand what a one way contract is. Summers has one. If we can stick Klesla's multi million dollar contract in the minors and pay him those kinds of checks to play for our AHL affiliate we can certainly afford to do the same with Chipchura or Halpern. Not that I ever suggested we actually demote them in the first place. I didn't. I suggested we waive them, not assign them.

He was obviously suggesting a trade not a signing. THe season is half over. How would we sign a top six forward?

 

[Sciamachy]

Yes. I understand what a one way contract is. Summers has one. If we can stick Klesla's multi million dollar contract in the minors and pay him those kinds of checks to play for our AHL affiliate we can certainly afford to do the same with Chipchura or Halpern. Not that I ever suggested we actually demote them in the first place. I didn't. I suggested we waive them, not assign them.

He was obviously suggesting a trade not a signing. THe season is half over. How would we sign a top six forward?

Halpern is actually on a two-way so his salary wouldn't even be an issue should he get sent down.

 

[BUX7PHX]

People around here acting like we can just magically fix the issues with a farm team call-up or some mythical trade that clearly isn't going to happen until the deadline.

Doan out, Z out, Morris sucking, Smith being average, OEL slumping, Vrbata cold streak, Riberio being meh 5on 5 and some fringe players playing top line minutes and this is what you get.

Playing .500 hockey is not surprising given the above issues. There isn't an answer from the farm team. Yandle and Vermette playing their hearts won't get them to playoff contention in the west.

We can only hope they continue to play .500 hockey up until the olympic break. Then come back with Doan and etc rested and then we make a run. TBH .500 hockey is pretty good with the issues we have.

Stop hoping for a trade that's obviously not going to happen. We have to hold on until the deadline and pray we can make a run.

Another item to think about has been the decline of certain players, in some cases due to injuries. Watching Klesla last night was just so tough. He looks like he has lost more than just a step from last year to this year. He can't handle more than 20 minutes of ice time at this moment. Rundblad just hasn't materialized (indecisive with puck, etc.).

Maybe we also need to come to the conclusion that as much as our defense has been carrying the team over the past 3-4 years, our D corps has actually regressed on the whole this year.

 

[rt]

Halpern is actually on a two-way so his salary wouldn't even be an issue should he get sent down.

Did not know that.

Also, apologies to Jamieh. No idea why I decided to be so unfriendly in that exchange. Your overall idea makes sense. For whatever reason I was being a nit picking dick. Unnecessary. My bad.