Yeah...I'm not sure what I think about Tocchet as coach. I do know this, the best coaches get the most out of their players as often as possible. I know that sounds kind of 'common sense'...but lots of times it's a coach/player chemistry thing...and it only has the right balance for so long.

Could they consider the GM spot for Tocchet...gm/coach for a year...then gm next year as they pursue Babcock?
- icedog97

No thanks. GM should have experience. I agree that the Coach doesn't have to be a tactical genius. Dan had a pretty complex system and look where that got us. I actually think this team could benefit greatly from simplification. I know a guy like Letang would benefit greatly.

No thanks. GM should have experience. I agree that the Coach doesn't have to be a tactical genius. Dan had a pretty complex system and look where that got us. I actually think this team could benefit greatly from simplification. I know a guy like Letang would benefit greatly.
- madmike71

Hey...you know...I'm just stirring the pot

If only Laviolette hadn't signed with the Predators...We'd have signed him already
- Orpik44

That would've been an interesting fit.

All due respect to Mr. Coffey but the peak of a hockey player statistically is closer to 21-24 not 27-31.
- Ryan_Wilson

All due respect to Mr. Wilson, but the stats show forwards are peaking at 24-27, defense around 28 and goalies can be at any point in their career lets say after 23. Unless of course we are just talking about 87+71?

I don't get why people keep entertaining the idea of trading Letang. The only thing that will come into play to make him valuable again is the signing of Subban. If PK gets a monster offer sheet and Montreal loses out for some reason, I can see them making a move, but to trade him for Yakupov+ or Kane+ no thank you.

Yeah and the absolute first one was me, from day ONE. MT's time was up here that's for sure, but from the first day Bylsma was our coach I called him out for being total garbage. No one can take that from me, I used to get ripped apart left and right for screaming that Bylsma was crap. Now everyone has jumped on.
- nbartley9

Thats because you are negative all the time and people catch on. Not everyone is horrible.

Thats because you are negative all the time and people catch on. Not everyone is horrible.
- IronCity

Hockey hipsters

Thats because you are negative all the time and people catch on. Not everyone is horrible.
- IronCity

Damn negative Nancys... doesn't count as being ahead of the curve if they didn't go out of their norm to predict it.

I thought I couldn't stand you guys until I went and was reading on HFboards. I have a new found love for all of you

https://t.co/Iy5FsWL3c2

Nice read on goaltender prospect Jarry. Great goalie, better person. Hopefully he pans out and makes his way east in a few seasons.

I thought I couldn't stand you guys until I went and was reading on HFboards. I have a new found love for all of you
- dbell646

You have to be a member, but you should read the comment board on TIOPS. It gives you a little insight into why the world is pretty much falling apart.

I thought I couldn't stand you guys until I went and was reading on HFboards. I have a new found love for all of you
- dbell646

I accidentally looked at an HFBoards post once, I'm still recovering

I accidentally looked at an HFBoards post once, I'm still recovering
- BulliesPhan87

I could make any board seem like a safe haven of human intellect. Youtube "this troper", its a series of a person(s) voiceovering a single internet forum. A friend of mine in college found the series, and despite it being some of the most disturbing, stupid, and depressing poop ever.... its also hilarious the way its presented.

I also take no blame if you commit suicide after watching them
Also don't look for the board from the video, I made sure to never do so, I don't think any good would come from reading its source.

Tochet commands their respect as soon as he walks in the room. He also isn't afraid to let them know when they suck. XO's can be handled by an assistant. I like Tochet personally. Face it any coach is going to win games with this team someone just needs to keep them hungry
- dbell646

But that command of respect can fade fast if the players realize that he doesn't have the answers and assistants keep stepping in to make adjustments/game plans.

I could make any board seem like a safe haven of human intellect. Youtube "this troper", its a series of a person(s) voiceovering a single internet forum. A friend of mine in college found the series, and despite it being some of the most disturbing, stupid, and depressing poop ever.... its also hilarious the way its presented.

I also take no blame if you commit suicide after watching them
Also don't look for the board from the video, I made sure to never do so, I don't think any good would come from reading its source.
- Guile

There's a number of twitter accounts that glean the best comments from various websites, too. It helps me feel better about myself.

There's a number of twitter accounts that glean the best comments from various websites, too. It helps me feel better about myself.
- BulliesPhan87

Yes, but who doesn't love beyond ridiculous narration that is read to you with video? Reading is just overrated some days.

I'd be nervous about him getting the job. It's not like he has a long or good track record, but those teams he's been involved with weren't very good. I'd be more interested in him if he had been coaching recently.....somewhere....anywhere....

Not a lot of good candidates out there with much NHL experience. Maybe they dip into the AHL....
- madmike71

I agree whole-heartedly about Tocchet... The fact that he isn't coaching anywhere tells me that he's not all that serious about being a coach, or at least putting in the hard work to get there. Even if he wants to be a head coach in the NHL, it seems like he's just been sitting around waiting for someone to give him a job.

If he really wanted to get into coaching, he could have gotten into coaching in the past 4 years somewhere.

One thing that scares me about dipping into the AHL, is that with this roster, you need someone who the stars will respect. Not sure you get that from an AHL guy.

I agree whole-heartedly about Tocchet... The fact that he isn't coaching anywhere tells me that he's not all that serious about being a coach, or at least putting in the hard work to get there. Even if he wants to be a head coach in the NHL, it seems like he's just been sitting around waiting for someone to give him a job.

If he really wanted to get into coaching, he could have gotten into coaching in the past 4 years somewhere.

One thing that scares me about dipping into the AHL, is that with this roster, you need someone who the stars will respect. Not sure you get that from an AHL guy.
- rival22

On the last part, any coach who isn't a cup winning or huge name coach is going to have to earn those stars respect. I don't think there are many coaches who can walk into a room and command the respect of super stars.

Thats because you are negative all the time and people catch on. Not everyone is horrible.
- IronCity

Not true, ask me anything about Matt Cooke; I promise you there is not one negative thing I have ever said about him. Plus there are many many facets of this team that I love, like the goalie; I have never once complained about MAF. I think he is a fantastic goalie, and will be very sad if he gets dealt. There is plenty about this club that I like, sadly though for the past 5 years there has been a lot to not like about this team; head coach being first and foremost. Well besides Brandon Sutter, who I believe to be the poison that is slowly killing this clubhouse.

On the last part, any coach who isn't a cup winning or huge name coach is going to have to earn those stars respect. I don't think there are many coaches who can walk into a room and command the respect of super stars.
- usethe1-2-2

I think that a retread coach who has coached good teams before has some credibility off the start, or even an assistant on a current team (reminds me to look up coaching staff for Kings, Blackhawks & Bruins), who has had proven relationships with star players.

I don't know... We need a bit of an bumhole as a head coach I think, and I'm just not sold that a guy with no NHL credibility can build that all that quickly.

I agree whole-heartedly about Tocchet... The fact that he isn't coaching anywhere tells me that he's not all that serious about being a coach, or at least putting in the hard work to get there. Even if he wants to be a head coach in the NHL, it seems like he's just been sitting around waiting for someone to give him a job.

If he really wanted to get into coaching, he could have gotten into coaching in the past 4 years somewhere.

One thing that scares me about dipping into the AHL, is that with this roster, you need someone who the stars will respect. Not sure you get that from an AHL guy.
- rival22

Bruce Boudreau is a hell of a coach. I got to watch him coach the Hershey Bears against WBS for a long time and win Calder Cups in the process. I wouldn't avoid the AHL.

Bruce Boudreau is a hell of a coach. I got to watch him coach the Hershey Bears against WBS for a long time and win Calder Cups in the process. I wouldn't avoid the AHL.
- Reverend Killtaker

The Rev!

Have you been going to the WBS games? Is Harrington looking like he might have a shot to make the big club next year?

The Rev!

Have you been going to the WBS games? Is Harrington looking like he might have a shot to make the big club next year?
- canadianpenfan

Harrington should compete...hes def my fav. WBS player at the moment. The kid plays on all special teams and rotates on all 3 d-lines pretty seamlessly. He plays well with Samuelsson as a line mate when they are paired up. I think this is a testament to his skill range. He never looks out of place and plays really smart hockey. I rarely see a bad turnover or pass from him and for only being a rookie this year that says a lot. As I said before, he reminds me of a Stanley Cup run Scuderi with a little more offensive upside at least on the AHL level.

Dumoulin currently is playing his best hockey of the season but throughout the year he was pretty inconsistent. Despres should be in the NHL, but he really needs to work on his discipline. Still takes some bad penalties and makes some bad choices that he regrets doing immediately after.

The rest of the team is pretty much garbage as far as moving up to Pitt. The offense relies to much on Kobasew and Ebbett who are both out due to injuries.

Bottomline, it should be a pretty healthy competition in camp between Despres, Harrington, Dumoulin, and perhaps Samuelsson. Pouliet I am not going to hold my breath due to his injury and expect to see him here in WBS next season to start off.

Conor Sheary a lot of folks are hearting over right now, but he reminds me too much of Brian Gibbons. Could be great for WBS not sure yet about Pitt. Have to see how he develops. Zach Sill is all heart but he has faced too many injuries and I think he's lost his edge a bit and don't see him being productive in the NHL really.

As far as coaches go...John Hynes I don't see as being a Bylsma replacement candidate as he is more of a developmental coach. Perhaps an Asst. Naz or Guerin I can see stepping up into the HC spot in WBS that is if Guerin isn't moved higher as he has spent most of the season here this season as a Player Development coach and now in the playoffs is getting some behind the bench time. The new GM has a lot of choices to make.

Harrington should compete...hes def my fav. WBS player at the moment. The kid plays on all special teams and rotates on all 3 d-lines pretty seamlessly. He plays well with Samuelsson as a line mate when they are paired up. I think this is a testament to his skill range. He never looks out of place and plays really smart hockey. I rarely see a bad turnover or pass from him and for only being a rookie this year that says a lot. As I said before, he reminds me of a Stanley Cup run Scuderi with a little more offensive upside at least on the AHL level.

Dumoulin currently is playing his best hockey of the season but throughout the year he was pretty inconsistent. Despres should be in the NHL, but he really needs to work on his discipline. Still takes some bad penalties and makes some bad choices that he regrets doing immediately after.

The rest of the team is pretty much garbage as far as moving up to Pitt. The offense relies to much on Kobasew and Ebbett who are both out due to injuries.

Bottomline, it should be a pretty healthy competition in camp between Despres, Harrington, Dumoulin, and perhaps Samuelsson. Pouliet I am not going to hold my breath due to his injury and expect to see him here in WBS next season to start off.

Conor Sheary a lot of folks are hearting over right now, but he reminds me too much of Brian Gibbons. Could be great for WBS not sure yet about Pitt. Have to see how he develops. Zach Sill is all heart but he has faced too many injuries and I think he's lost his edge a bit and don't see him being productive in the NHL really.

As far as coaches go...John Hynes I don't see as being a Bylsma replacement candidate as he is more of a developmental coach. Perhaps an Asst. Naz or Guerin I can see stepping up into the HC spot in WBS that is if Guerin isn't moved higher as he has spent most of the season here this season as a Player Development coach and now in the playoffs is getting some behind the bench time. The new GM has a lot of choices to make.
- Reverend Killtaker

Thanks for all the good info. Pouliot needs a year in WBS, I'm not even considering him in Pit next year. But I would really like to see Harrington up, we need the calming influence i think he'll bring.

How does he look at keeping the front of the net clean?

Harrington should compete...hes def my fav. WBS player at the moment. The kid plays on all special teams and rotates on all 3 d-lines pretty seamlessly. He plays well with Samuelsson as a line mate when they are paired up. I think this is a testament to his skill range. He never looks out of place and plays really smart hockey. I rarely see a bad turnover or pass from him and for only being a rookie this year that says a lot. As I said before, he reminds me of a Stanley Cup run Scuderi with a little more offensive upside at least on the AHL level.

Dumoulin currently is playing his best hockey of the season but throughout the year he was pretty inconsistent. Despres should be in the NHL, but he really needs to work on his discipline. Still takes some bad penalties and makes some bad choices that he regrets doing immediately after.

The rest of the team is pretty much garbage as far as moving up to Pitt. The offense relies to much on Kobasew and Ebbett who are both out due to injuries.

Bottomline, it should be a pretty healthy competition in camp between Despres, Harrington, Dumoulin, and perhaps Samuelsson. Pouliet I am not going to hold my breath due to his injury and expect to see him here in WBS next season to start off.

Conor Sheary a lot of folks are hearting over right now, but he reminds me too much of Brian Gibbons. Could be great for WBS not sure yet about Pitt. Have to see how he develops. Zach Sill is all heart but he has faced too many injuries and I think he's lost his edge a bit and don't see him being productive in the NHL really.

As far as coaches go...John Hynes I don't see as being a Bylsma replacement candidate as he is more of a developmental coach. Perhaps an Asst. Naz or Guerin I can see stepping up into the HC spot in WBS that is if Guerin isn't moved higher as he has spent most of the season here this season as a Player Development coach and now in the playoffs is getting some behind the bench time. The new GM has a lot of choices to make.
- Reverend Killtaker

Very nice assessment, keep this kind of stuff coming. Except your take on Sill; don't bring that crap around here...