Speculation: When Does Bruno Get The Boot?

[Kat Predator]

Frankly fire everyone that is currently with the Preds, well except Taylor in Milwaukee, he seems to be the only thing in this organization any good.

I was going to say fire that woman that serves the hot dogs too, but I think you already covered it.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

I know Poile and Trotz are normally on the same page, but this guy was brought in by Poile, right? I'd think at this point, Trotzy will want his own pick. Kinda shocking it hasn't happened yet.

 

[Scoresberg]

I know Poile and Trotz are normally on the same page, but this guy was brought in by Poile, right? I'd think at this point, Trotzy will want his own pick. Kinda shocking it hasn't happened yet.

The Brunette hire was made under Poile but I believe Trotz heavily influenced that. I think he's 100% Trotz' guy.

 

[101st_fan]

As of this morning-
Worst points percentage in the NHL. Need to go 5-0-1 to reach .500 hockey at the 20 game mark.
4th worst 5on5 goals allowed.
Battling Anaheim for the worst 5on5 scoring in the league ... currently worst 5on5 goals for per game.
13th ranked PP%.
2nd ranked PK%.

After a month of the regular season we're still getting the need time to gel excuses from the media.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

The Brunette hire was made under Poile but I believe Trotz heavily influenced that. I think he's 100% Trotz' guy.

It was 100% Trotz decision. To fire Hynes and hire Brunette. Poile sat off to the side and didn't say a word at that press conference.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

The Brunette hire was made under Poile but I believe Trotz heavily influenced that. I think he's 100% Trotz' guy.

It was 100% Trotz decision. To fire Hynes and hire Brunette. Poile sat off to the side and didn't say a word at that press conference.

OK...well, then it makes sense why he's still hanging on.

If/when he does get the boot, I wonder if we get Trotz behind the bench temporarily.

 

[101st_fan]

-24 goal differential 5on5 .... in just 14 games.

That's 1.7 per game.

 

[herzausstein]

14 games into the 24-25 season and we are almost exactly where we were 14 games into the 23-24 season. How we got there is quite different though and i find the trends of this season much more troubling.


GF 2024 - 33 (30th)
GA 2024 - 50 (27th)
PP 2024 - 20.8% (13th)
PK 2024 - 90.2% (2nd)
5v5 GF 2024 - 15 (31st)

GF 2023 - 42 (19th)
GA 2023 - 59 (24th)
PP 2023 - 20.7% (15th)
PK 2023 - 68.1% (32nd)
5v5 GF 2023 - 24 (24th)

We lost games last season because our PK sucked. We averaged a GA/GP on the PK through 14 games. This season we are losing because our absolutely horrid 5v5 play. Our special teams is actually quite acceptable. Our 5v5 where you spend the majority of the game is just bad though. We are also 30th this season for 5v5 goals against.

Cant score 5v5. Cant defense 5v5. That to me screams system issue. Either it doesnt work or the team isnt applying it right

 

[Kat Predator]

14 games into the 24-25 season and we are almost exactly where we were 14 games into the 23-24 season. How we got there is quite different though and i find the trends of this season much more troubling.


GF 2024 - 33 (30th)
GA 2024 - 50 (27th)
PP 2024 - 20.8% (13th)
PK 2024 - 90.2% (2nd)
5v5 GF 2024 - 15 (31st)

GF 2023 - 42 (19th)
GA 2023 - 59 (24th)
PP 2023 - 20.7% (15th)
PK 2023 - 68.1% (32nd)
5v5 GF 2023 - 24 (24th)

We lost games last season because our PK sucked. We averaged a GA/GP on the PK through 14 games. This season we are losing because our absolutely horrid 5v5 play. Our special teams is actually quite acceptable. Our 5v5 where you spend the majority of the game is just bad though. We are also 30th this season for 5v5 goals against.

Cant score 5v5. Cant defense 5v5. That to me screams system issue. Either it doesnt work or the team isnt applying it right

If the plan is to throw out the role players and bring up some more guys from Milwaukee, it seems like that PK could take a serious hit.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

If the plan is to throw out the role players and bring up some more guys from Milwaukee, it seems like that PK could take a serious hit.

Maybe, maybe not. Some of them might be quite capable with their youthful speed and reactions. Any of the top prospects would have played the PK in years prior so it's not out of the question for some of them to be good at it.

 

[Soundgarden]

If the plan is to throw out the role players and bring up some more guys from Milwaukee, it seems like that PK could take a serious hit.

What's the point of a good pk if we give up goals 5-5? I'm fine with having an average or below average PK if it means we have a little bit of a reason to watch.

We're already losing games as it is.

 

[Kat Predator]

Maybe, maybe not. Some of them might be quite capable with their youthful speed and reactions. Any of the top prospects would have played the PK in years prior so it's not out of the question for some of them to be good at it.

It was the only stat on the list that went in the right direction and in a big, big way. It's certainly possible that the PK units could be blown up and other players fit in seamlessly. I'm not going to bet on it though.

What's the point of a good pk if we give up goals 5-5? I'm fine with having an average or below average PK if it means we have a little bit of a reason to watch.

We're already losing games as it is.

True. The longer this goes on, the less it really matters. In fact, trying to fix it could be seen as throwing away a solid non-effort at a tanking season and a great lottery chance.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

It was the only stat on the list that went in the right direction and in a big, big way. It's certainly possible that the PK units could be blown up and other players fit in seamlessly. I'm not going to bet on it though.

90 whatever percent is impressive and it would seem foolish to mess with that but those same players sucked on the PK last year.

I'd bet the success this year has more to do with coaching, that's why Hinote is gone.

The new PK is pretty simple but more aggressive and effective than previous years. They're using a standard box or diamond depending on puck location and "shape" of the offense and they're rotating back and forth seamlessly. They're also passing the puck carrier off to their teammates rather than chasing like they used to, this allows them to keep their shape and know what each person's responsibility is in defending the zone. That is how they are passively defending better.

There are always two players that are working to isolate the puck carrier. They aren't recklessly running out to pucks on the wall or in the corner but they do close off a bit of space to limit the players ability to walk off the wall or out of the corner while still cutting off passing lanes. This technique allows for two players to be ready to go aggressively to any bobbled puck or "turned back" creating a quick 2v1 that results in puck possession, that's how they are aggressively attacking. No reason Zack L'Heureux and any other kid playing PK in Milwaukee can't replicate that success, it's not high skill, it's discipline to be patient while "defending" mixed with quickness and determination to win the puck while "attacking". Pretty simple....

The old low triangle with a high chaser was just horrid leaving one guy basically being the monkey in a game of monkey in the middle against three opposing players out high while three guys guarded two opponents down low. I hated that system when Laviolette started it 7-8 (ish?) years ago, not sure how it stuck around through all the coaching changes.

 

[Kat Predator]

90 whatever percent is impressive and it would seem foolish to mess with that but those same players sucked on the PK last year.

I'd bet the success this year has more to do with coaching, that's why Hinote is gone.

The new PK is pretty simple but more aggressive and effective than previous years. They're using a standard box or diamond depending on puck location and "shape" of the offense and they're rotating back and forth seamlessly. They're also passing the puck carrier off to their teammates rather than changing like they used to, this allows them to keep their shape and know what each persons responsibility is in defending the zone. That is how they are passively defending better.

There are always two players that are working to isolate the puck carrier. They aren't recklessly running out to pucks on the wall or in the corner but they do close off a bit of space to limit the players ability to walk off the wall or out of the corner while still cutting off passing lanes. This technique allows for two players to be ready to go aggressively to any bobbled puck or "turned back" creating a quick 2v1 that results in puck possession, that's how they are aggressively attacking. No reason Zack L'Heureux and any other kid playing PK in Milwaukee can't replicate that success, it not high skill, it's discipline to be patient while "defending" mixed with quickness and determination to win the puck while "attacking". Pretty simple....

The old low triangle with a high chaser was just horrid leaving one guy basically being the monkey in a game of monkey in the middle against three opposing players out high while three guys guarded two opponents down low. I hated that system when Laviolette started it 7-8 (ish?) years ago, not sure how it stuck around through all the coaching changes.

Not disagreeing with any of this. The only point is that this aspect of the team has improved. Yes, a lot of that is systems. It is also partly that the group of PKers on the ice are executing that system as a group and not making as many mistakes. I agree that other players should be able to execute the system as well. I mean these are pros.

Still there is clearly irony that the guys that are actually improved in this one facet of the game are the guys that are being singled out to be benched or traded. It's ironic by definition. Which is the only point I was and am making here. Bask in the irony.

Is it justifiable? Yeah. Probably. They may be playing well on PK special teams, but simply no one is playing well at EV. The young scapegoats—more irony—actually look the best at EV of this pathetic group at times. Overall, the team is terrible. So, honestly, no one should feel good or untouchable, even though there are 5 or 6 guys GMBT called out as untouchable.

BTW, that's a bit of a different managing approach from Poile, who would often come out at times like this and chastise the star players and leaders, saying publicly that they need to play a lot better and earn the contracts he gave them.

 

[Armourboy]

Not disagreeing with any of this. The only point is that this aspect of the team has improved. Yes, a lot of that is systems. It is also partly that the group of PKers on the ice are executing that system as a group and not making as many mistakes. I agree that other players should be able to execute the system as well. I mean these are pros.

Still there is clearly irony that the guys that are actually improved in this one facet of the game are the guys that are being singled out to be benched or traded. It's ironic by definition. Which is the only point I was and am making here. Bask in the irony.

Is it justifiable? Yeah. Probably. They may be playing well on PK special teams, but simply no one is playing well at EV. The young scapegoats—more irony—actually look the best at EV of this pathetic group at times. Overall, the team is terrible. So, honestly, no one should feel good or untouchable, even though there are 5 or 6 guys GMBT called out as untouchable.

BTW, that's a bit of a different managing approach from Poile, who would often come out at times like this and chastise the star players and leaders, saying publicly that they need to play a lot better and earn the contracts he gave them.

Difference is those players didn't have full NMC/NTC and he could move them. All of those guys Trotz listed, he can't move them even if he wanted too and they know that as well.

 

[herzausstein]

What's the point of a good pk if we give up goals 5-5? I'm fine with having an average or below average PK if it means we have a little bit of a reason to watch.

We're already losing games as it is.

Ive got to agree with this. We are bleeding goals 5v5 where we spend the majority of the game. We also arent getting any of those goals back at 5v5. We have to right that ship to have hope of winning long term.

But we have some young capable guys in Milwaukee that also play the PK there. L'Heureux kills penalties. Drop smith and he takes over that role. I think Parssinen is probably capable as well. He can replace McCarron in that role. If not him, i believe svechkov can also fulfill that role.

 

[Armourboy]

Ive got to agree with this. We are bleeding goals 5v5 where we spend the majority of the game. We also arent getting any of those goals back at 5v5. We have to right that ship to have hope of winning long term.

But we have some young capable guys in Milwaukee that also play the PK there. L'Heureux kills penalties. Drop smith and he takes over that role. I think Parssinen is probably capable as well. He can replace McCarron in that role. If not him, i believe svechkov can also fulfill that role.

As Nine Inch said I think it has little to do with the actual players and far more to do with the system. The PK is the one aspect of this guys game that looks like its being well coached. Its simple and gets the job done and frankly I bet just about any player that is half decent defensively could do well with how its being handled.

Appears to be the exact opposite of Brunette's 5 v 5 system which apparently is an overcomplicated mess that causes a ton of problems. That would explain why those same players are so good on the PK and yet have been absolute garbage 5v5.

That said, you don't keep players on a roster just because they have done well on the PK, especially when they have been so bad 5v5. Granted I still think the bigger issue is the headcoach more so than the players.

 

[glenngineer]

While I'm thrilled the PK is doing well, I don't understand how we're able to limit teams to so few goals being a man down but at 5 on 5, we're horrible. All that to say, get the 5 on 5 play back to where it needs to be and get your PK + PP combined % over 100 and you're golden.

Get rid of the chum and blend the team with the aging winning vets with youthful legs and see what happens. It can't be any worse to be honest.

Fil, ROR, Stamkos and March are here to stay. See if a team wants to take on Sissons and Nyquist. That leaves 8 open forward spots. Evangelista, Novak, Parssinen, Tomasino and ZLH are 5 of them that should be playing. Do you bring up Svechkov, Kemell and Schaeffer and see what they can do? Maybe keep Sissons and Nyquist around for a while which means Kemell is the obvious choice to be brought up. Maybe even Schaeffer. Run a lineup with 6 vets and 6 kids.

I'd say move on from Lauzon and Schenn. Josi/Fabbro and Skjei/Carrier for the time being. Have a 3rd pairing of MDG/Ufko? Find an upgrade for Carrier if you can, someone with some size and snarl who can play top 4 minutes and be a shutdown pair with Skjei. Hope that Molendyk and Gibson are a year away and give them the third pairing in a year or two.

Coffee obviously kicked in. Later folks.

 

[101st_fan]

While I'm thrilled the PK is doing well, I don't understand how we're able to limit teams to so few goals being a man down but at 5 on 5, we're horrible. All that to say, get the 5 on 5 play back to where it needs to be and get your PK + PP combined % over 100 and you're golden.

Get rid of the chum and blend the team with the aging winning vets with youthful legs and see what happens. It can't be any worse to be honest.

Fil, ROR, Stamkos and March are here to stay. See if a team wants to take on Sissons and Nyquist. That leaves 8 open forward spots. Evangelista, Novak, Parssinen, Tomasino and ZLH are 5 of them that should be playing. Do you bring up Svechkov, Kemell and Schaeffer and see what they can do? Maybe keep Sissons and Nyquist around for a while which means Kemell is the obvious choice to be brought up. Maybe even Schaeffer. Run a lineup with 6 vets and 6 kids.

I'd say move on from Lauzon and Schenn. Josi/Fabbro and Skjei/Carrier for the time being. Have a 3rd pairing of MDG/Ufko? Find an upgrade for Carrier if you can, someone with some size and snarl who can play top 4 minutes and be a shutdown pair with Skjei. Hope that Molendyk and Gibson are a year away and give them the third pairing in a year or two.

Coffee obviously kicked in. Later folks.

5on5 we're busy trying to pinch from the blueline and press when the situation doesn't really present itself which leads to odd man rush after odd man rush. The team flies out of the zone then we turn the puck over behind three of our players giving the opposition great looks at our goalies. Boils down to the "Bruno system".

 

[nine_inch_fang]

5on5 we're busy trying to pinch from the blueline and press when the situation doesn't really present itself which leads to odd man rush after odd man rush. The team flies out of the zone then we turn the puck over behind three of our players giving the opposition great looks at our goalies. Boils down to the "Bruno system".

Yep, all comes down to actually playing defense.

 

[101st_fan]

Yep, all comes down to actually playing defense.

I'm not sure how much actual defense Bruno wants from his blueliners. We see it from Lauzon every game ... press bad decisions, chase unneeded hits, get praised for it.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

I'm not sure how much actual defense Bruno wants from his blueliners. We see it from Lauzon every game ... press bad decisions, chase unneeded hits, get praised for it.

Yeah, I was just confirming that defense is only played during the PK.

 

[Kat Predator]

Yeah, I was just confirming that defense is only played during the PK.

And if we follow that to the logic conclusion, we should have plenty of guys who can play defense and play it rather well. But they're being told to do the Bruno system instead.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

And if we follow that to the logic conclusion, we should have plenty of guys who can play defense and play it rather well. But they're being told to do the Bruno system instead.

Potentially

 

[Kat Predator]

Potentially

Take Dante off the list. He's been freed.