Bag skate central as well. A few guys don't want to work.. the whole team pays the price at practice... soon enough, players are holding each other accountable.
- Hextall271

I personally don't beleive in bag skates. I think it's a waste of time, and just uses up valuable practice time and energy that could be used more productively. Ice time is the hammer.

I believe Snider when he said if there was a way to trade all of the players he would do it.
- Hextall271

I do, too -- remember last year when Paul Holmgren basically tore that locker room apart?

I think they do kinda want to move some people. I think it's in their DNA to move people. But they're trying really hard to be patient with young players and a young captain.

But yeah. I do think they want to move people.

People are having a good time with Berube's background as a player, but I think it's worthwhile to note he's been at this coaching thing for awhile.

It's not like he retired last week and they elevated him to coach.
- johndewar

They only do that with GMs?

Been thinking about this a lot today, and this would be my suggestion for going forward from here. I would look to move Coburn. At times he can play really well, but he continues to have long stretches where his play is simply weak and uninspired. It happened under Stevens, it happened under Lavy and it will happen if not right away at some point, under Berube.

If Calgary is really looking for help on D, then offer Coburn for Glencross and a 2nd. Dmen are at a premium so it may be a doable deal. I would even settle for Glencross and a 3rd to get the deal done. Glencross would be a great 2nd/3rd line wing.

Now a lot of people seem to want to write off both B. Schenn and Couturier. Before you do, I think B. Schenn should go back to playing center (his natural position) and Couturier should at least get a chance to play with some better wingers. So, if you make the Coburn trade, I would try the following lines:

Hartnell-Lacavalier-Giroux
Giroux has shown the ability to play the wing and Lacavalier can bring to this line what it has been missing since Jagr left. Plus it allows for Voracek to help another line, which brings me to
Simmonds-Schenn-Voracek
Simmonds and Voracek have shown nice chemisty on the pp and this line would be a very good mix of speed, skill and grit.
Glencross-Couturier-Read
Finally Coots gets to play with skill on both of his wings. Read and Glencross should mesh with him nicely.
Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo
Perfectly adequate 4th line.

On D I would have:
Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Mezaros
Grossmann-Gus

Timonen and Schenn were pretty effective last year and should be fine together. Mezaros played well in the past with Carle and since Carle's game is similar in some respects to Streits it's worth a shot. And finally Grossmann and Gus is a nice mix of size and grit with speed and skill. When it's time to shorten the bench and go into shut down mode late in a game, they could go with.
Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Mezaros
and the other 2 could be spotted in for offensive zone faceoffs. Also if Gus continues to develop/improve he could push Mezaros and move up on the depth chart.

Either way, more changes than just a new head coach are needed, so why not give it a shot?

chandler knight @ KnightChandler 6h
@ CraigCustance to distract from your poor job as GM if team starts slowly
Retweeted by Craig Custance


Craig Custance @ CraigCustance 6h
Here's what I do not get. If you're going to fire a guy three games into the season, why bring him back after last year in the first place?

Yup..... This nails it.
- PLindbergh31

werent you praising his offseason moves a few weeks ago?

chandler knight @ KnightChandler 6h
@ CraigCustance to distract from your poor job as GM if team starts slowly
Retweeted by Craig Custance


Craig Custance @ CraigCustance 6h
Here's what I do not get. If you're going to fire a guy three games into the season, why bring him back after last year in the first place?

Yup..... This nails it.
- PLindbergh31

Yes.....it's holmer's time as well.

People are having a good time with Berube's background as a player, but I think it's worthwhile to note he's been at this coaching thing for awhile.

It's not like he retired last week and they elevated him to coach.
- johndewar

You know, to be perfectly honest, I am ok with Chief taking over. I just don't see why Homer is getting a pass. He's had a reverse midas touch the last couple years. If we are waiting a year so that Hexy gets his bearings and takes over fine.. If Ed really is fine with this clownshow or is just being loyal, I am not ok with it.

Right. And I think it's time that regardless of who that player is, including Giroux. fail to back check or miss a coverage due to watching the puck. You sit. Constantly getting outworked, you sit. No matter who you are, or how much you make.
- MJL

While I agree, that's easier said than done.

Division opponent, late in the third period, and Giroux's line commits a costly turnover that leads to the tying goal... are you going to keep G and Voracek off the ice when a goal means two points in the standings? Are you going to be willing to face the music with the media and Snider if you end up losing in regulation because you couldn't buy a goal w/ your best players riding the pine?

chandler knight @ KnightChandler 6h
@ CraigCustance to distract from your poor job as GM if team starts slowly
Retweeted by Craig Custance


Craig Custance @ CraigCustance 6h
Here's what I do not get. If you're going to fire a guy three games into the season, why bring him back after last year in the first place?

Yup..... This nails it.
- PLindbergh31

You bring him back to give it a chance to change, and for adjustments to be made. I have no problems that they brought Laviolette back this Season. I think the GM has put a good roster on the ice each and every Season.

He's going to love skating between straka and McGinn
- funmaster18

It would be the same for the guy with the resume also.
- MJL

Not necessarily.

Different voice, different game plan, doling out different responsibilities. A whole new attitude. A winning background. The spotlight would be squarely on the players.

What's really different now? Same voices. Perhaps a little tweaking of the game plan, and a some great sound bites.

I personally don't beleive in bag skates. I think it's a waste of time, and just uses up valuable practice time and energy that could be used more productively. Ice time is the hammer.
- MJL

Why would guys who show lack of compete care about their ice time? So they can go through the motions during 25 shifts instead of 20?

I'm gonna miss the Jam....

The kind of headache that we just got rid of via CBO?
- Tomahawk

I didn't realize every 36 year old player was guaranteed to end up like Briere. Good to know.

werent you praising his offseason moves a few weeks ago?
- Crimsoninja

I didn't have a problem with the moves this summer. Last summer was a total washout.

While I agree, that's easier said than done.

Division opponent, late in the third period, and Giroux's line commits a costly turnover that leads to the tying goal... are you going to keep G and Voracek off the ice when a goal means two points in the standings? Are you going to be willing to face the music with the media and Snider if you end up losing in regulation because you couldn't buy a goal w/ your best players riding the pine?
- Tomahawk

No doubt it's difficult. Especially with a Coach like Laviolette and the position he was in. Sitting a top player in a key situation could be putting the noose on your own neck. But that situation has changed a little now.

Funny thing is I kind of agree with him.

I would look to move almost everybody over the age of 26-27 and then wait patiently for the kids, pick up value players via UFA/waivers/trade, while trying to piece together an identity organically.

This perennial also-ran (or never-ran) thing isn't working.
- Tomahawk

Why would guys who show lack of compete care about their ice time? So they can go through the motions during 25 shifts instead of 20?
- PLindbergh31

They may not like puking their guts out after a bag skate.

chandler knight @ KnightChandler 6h
@ CraigCustance to distract from your poor job as GM if team starts slowly
Retweeted by Craig Custance


Craig Custance @ CraigCustance 6h
Here's what I do not get. If you're going to fire a guy three games into the season, why bring him back after last year in the first place?

Yup..... This nails it.
- PLindbergh31

i don't understand what you're trying to do

Yes.....it's holmer's time as well.
- Just5

Agreed. I defended Laviolette, and I still like the guy and think he's a good coach.

Snider is running the show, as crazy as it is having an 80 year old man running things he should have, cleaned house today, and handed the reigns over to Hextall.

I'm gonna miss the Jam....
- Jimmygrazz

Well.. the switch was flipped... permanently off.

While I agree, that's easier said than done.

Division opponent, late in the third period, and Giroux's line commits a costly turnover that leads to the tying goal... are you going to keep G and Voracek off the ice when a goal means two points in the standings? Are you going to be willing to face the music with the media and Snider if you end up losing in regulation because you couldn't buy a goal w/ your best players riding the pine?
- Tomahawk

Exactly -- it's a different game now than that.

Adam Oates never benched Alex Ovechkin after that weak start he had last season. Never ripped him, either. Ovechkin paid him back with an MVP season.

It's easy to bag skate guys in the AHL. This is an entirely different deal.

- hammarby31

find something funny?

Agreed. I defended Laviolette, and I still like the guy and think he's a good coach.

Snider is running the show, as crazy as it is having an 80 year old man running things he should have, cleaned house today, and handed the reigns over to Hextall.
- PLindbergh31

I think we're all on the same page with that one.

Why would guys who show lack of compete care about their ice time? So they can go through the motions during 25 shifts instead of 20?
- PLindbergh31

Because they want to play, and want to win. No player wants to sit or be embarrased by a benching. I don't think the Flyers players were going through the motions. There's a difference between playing hard, and maximizing your effort level, and matching and exceeding your opponents compete level. There's an extra gear that is in there. When the opponent raises it's game, you need to respond.