Seriously I don't get the calls for Ruff. No way I want that bum in Philly. I hated when they had to fire Hitch, but he had to go. I think they really are close to that point with Lavi. Injuries, to be sure, have been a factor, but it seems like Lavi is unwilling to install a system that suits the players he is working with. Any team that plays solid defensive hockey usually beats Lavi's team this year. NJ, NYR, Boston, Tampa. Lavi simply lives by the credo that "it doesn't matter what they are doing, we will play our game". Well that game isn;t working on any team that can grind out a defensive opportunistic game. I have no issues with Murray. Much rather have him over Ruff. Would be kind of fitting as I think he got a raw deal in '97 basically getting smoked by a machine from Detroit, amid high expectations, and then uttering the "choking" comment. Murray has a proven, winning track record and is well known as a good teaching coach...which would benefit this team.
Location: There aren't any answers. Only choices. Joined: 07.01.2007
Mar 7 @ 11:42 PM ET
I realize there's no guarantee that a new coach will work. I just see no reason whatsoever to believe that the current coach will suddenly be able to implement the adjustments needed to avoid further driving home the bad habits. I'd rather go with the unknown.
As far as reworking the roster, what makes you think that they can make a lot of changes? - Jsaquella
I just feel as though, with the number of young guys on this team, you need to bring in a coach with an actual system and plan that doesn't consist of aggression without reason.
These guys look befuddled because they are. They don't have any idea where each other are 80% of the time. I wish we could buy a little hockey sense for each of them.
Location: There aren't any answers. Only choices. Joined: 07.01.2007
Mar 7 @ 11:43 PM ET
doesnt help ticket prices are driving out real fans. last game I went to I was surrounded by spoiled rotten kids who couldn't give a poop about the game and a 20 something girl who asked how many quarters there are in a hockey game.
yup. - hereticpride
When the team comes out in the second period with all the intensity of a napping baby, the building isn't going to lift them, no matter its makeup. There was nothing wrong with the fans tonight that an actual NHL team that came to play couldn't cure.
It's not the coaches fault. They had a 4-1 lead after the first period. The players came out to start the second period with zero intensity. Hartnell said in his post-game interview that Laviolette drove home the point after the first period to stay aggressive and not sit back. The players have to be held more accountable. - PLindbergh31
Sounds to me like they have tuned him out...looked like it on the ice if that is what he said. I like Lavi, but he may have reached his expiration date.
And please for the love of God, sit Gervais. He's awful.
In 23 games Gervais is -10 with 3 points.
In 12 games Foster is +1 with 5 points.
Sure that doesn't tell the entire story, but Gervais stinks. He was a spare part on awful Islanders team.
Other than having better mobility what does Gervais do better than Foster? Apollo Ohno has better mobility than Shea Weber, doesn't make him a better defenseman.
Sounds to me like they have tuned him out...looked like it on the ice if that is what he said. I like Lavi, but he may have reached his expiration date.
- Lexington Flyer
Team had a 4-1 lead tonight, then went through the motions in the second period. No passion, no urgency, team slept walked through the entire 20 minutes. That is on the players, not the coach.
I just feel as though, with the number of young guys on this team, you need to bring in a coach with an actual system and plan that doesn't consist of aggression without reason.
These guys look befuddled because they are. They don't have any idea where each other are 80% of the time. I wish we could buy a little hockey sense for each of them. - bodiva88
I agree wholeheartedly. Right now, I don't see a coach available that can do that, which is why I go Murray on an interim basis to start the process. To break bad habits. To instill discipline. To stress the importance of good two way play.
Then in the summer look for a coach that is capable of adapting & who isn't married to a system, regardless of personnel.
I know, they didn't land Weber or Suter, or keep Carle. That means the coach needs to adjust his system and style to maximize his roster's strengths and minimize the weak spots.
Team had a 4-1 lead tonight, then went through the motions in the second period. No passion, no urgency, team slept walked through the entire 20 minutes. That is on the players, not the coach. - PLindbergh31
It's probably a washout this year. The roster isn't void of talent, but it's poorly constructed. I'm not crazy about the mix of players. - PLindbergh31
I don't think they are far off course as the young guys get another year under their belts. Obviously getting a #1 Dman (or at bare minimum a first or second pairing, mobile, puck carrier/mover who can QB the PP) is a key. Getting a 4th line center who can PK and win more d-zone faceoffs than he loses should be a priority as well. Gotta figure out what to do with Briere. This is the second regular season in a row where he has been invisible and he wasn not hot in 2009-2010 either so really 3 out of the last 4 years he has not really justified his contract. The defensive liabilities, lousy work along the boards, and inability to win a faceoff are more glaring issues when he is not being a 0.9 point per game player.
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ Joined: 01.14.2011
Mar 8 @ 12:00 AM ET
I would try my best to trade Briere for a 2nd. And assuming we have a top 10 pick try to use that to go after OEL. I'd be willing to include Read for him at this point too. From there address team needs in FA.
I would love to get a pick for Kimmo too but I think it's unlikely.
Team had a 4-1 lead tonight, then went through the motions in the second period. No passion, no urgency, team slept walked through the entire 20 minutes. That is on the players, not the coach. - PLindbergh31
How about going 5-17-1 over the past season and a half against two key divisional rivals, with 6 game losing streaks against both? The coach avoid blame there, too?
How about running a system predicated out good outlet passing by defensemen, to forwards who are trying to spring odd man rushes when you lack good outlet passers? Is that on the players, or the coach who is so married to his system he can't change it to better suit the roster he has?
How about going 5-17-1 over the past season and a half against two key divisional rivals, with 6 game losing streaks against both? The coach avoid blame there, too?
How about running a system predicated out good outlet passing by defensemen, to forwards who are trying to spring odd man rushes when you lack good outlet passers? Is that on the players, or the coach who is so married to his system he can't change it to better suit the roster he has? - Jsaquella
It's on both the team and the coach. Little in life is one-sided. But for me - and for the comment you were responding to - we're talking about tonight and losing after being up 3 goals.
Also, other teams have to get some credit as well, right?
Finally, how do you know he hasn't tweaked his system a bit? How can you be certain it hasn't been modified to account for the inadequate passing skills of his personnel (clearly a player problem) and the in-game performance is just lacking?
I'm not saying Lavi is great, and if he loses his job it's no skin off my teeth, but I can't hang this poopty performance and loss on him.
It's on both the team and the coach. Little in life is one-sided. But for me - and for the comment you were responding to - we're talking about tonight and losing after being up 3 goals.
Also, other teams have to get some credit as well, right?
Finally, how do you know he hasn't tweaked his system a bit? How can you be certain it hasn't been modified to account for the inadequate passing skills of his personnel (clearly a player problem) and the in-game performance is just lacking?
I'm not saying Lavi is great, and if he loses his job it's no skin off my teeth, but I can't hang this poopty performance and loss on him. - wolfhounds
I'm not focusing on tonight's game, except as maybe the tipping point.
If he has made changes, which he denied in a training camp interview, they have been highly ineffective. He has made some minor changes, but by and large they haven't worked.
Other teams do get credit. The Rangers and Devils realized if you stayed disciplined, kept the game close and waited, Laviolette would try to open things up and be wide open to exploit for odd man rushes.
It's not the coaches fault. They had a 4-1 lead after the first period. The players came out to start the second period with zero intensity. Hartnell said in his post-game interview that Laviolette drove home the point after the first period to stay aggressive and not sit back. The players have to be held more accountable. - PLindbergh31
Team had a 4-1 lead tonight, then went through the motions in the second period. No passion, no urgency, team slept walked through the entire 20 minutes. That is on the players, not the coach. - PLindbergh31
I'm really surprised that they lost this game, lavi has out coached disco for some time now and a three goal lead should've been safe. Whose fault is it? Both coach and player. Coach supports player, player supports coach. I know lavi can't go out there and score or make a save but he does have a big impact in game. At this point I think his message is falling on deaf ears.
