There is a difference between benching a guy for doing stupid stuff, IE Hartnell, and saying benching a guy for having a bad stretch of games. IE Grossmann.

Accountability is a good thing, but there are different levels of accountability. A guy in a slump is a hell of a lot different than a guy with no discipline. I think Hartnell was finally held accountable by being dealt. Should he have been benched during the season, maybe, but for who? Same goes for Grossmann. At least in Grossmanns case he was trying to do the right thing on the ice. I think Hartnell thought he could do whatever he wanted because of who he was.
- MBFlyerfan

Before benching, comes cutting icetime and reducing PP time, though. Hartsy didn't experience any of those last season, except for a brief sojourn from the top-line as they were trying to find offense. He felt he could do anything and not face any consequences, because he never really faced any consequences.

Well, that's what was proposed, that you needed to bench Vinny and Grossman for January. But really, there's no way I'd bench Vinny for Kris Newbury. Instead, I'd move him to a RW spot or drop him down in the lineup, the latter of which was done by Berube as a last resort.
- jmatchett383

I would never put in Newbury over Vinny even if the latter was struggling.

Before benching, comes cutting icetime and reducing PP time, though. Hartsy didn't experience any of those last season, except for a brief sojourn from the top-line as they were trying to find offense. He felt he could do anything and not face any consequences, but he never faced any consequences.
- Tomahawk

The biggest issue with that is that other players DID face consequences and that's a good way to divide a locker room.

I'll pick TWO measures: Speed and agility.
- jmatchett383

Better defensive players also, along with being a more disciplined player.

I would never put in Newbury over Vinny even if the latter was struggling.
- NickTheKid87

B Richards got benched in favor of Newbury in the PO's... worked out for Torts.

The biggest issue with that is that other players DID face consequences and that's a good way to divide a locker room.
- NickTheKid87

Different rules for different players, and different amounts of leeway for different players has been going on since forever on NHL teams.

True accountability doesn't come from Coaches.

Before benching, comes cutting icetime and reducing PP time, though. Hartsy didn't experience any of those last season, except for a brief sojourn from the top-line as they were trying to find offense. He felt he could do anything and not face any consequences, because he never really faced any consequences.
- Tomahawk

No he didn't. And again I can only speculate as to what happened in the locker room. But I think ultimately this is why Hartnell was dealt. If that ain't accountability I don't know what is.

I would much rather of had it happen during the season......but I also think Berube was kind of in a bad spot there. He had to weigh the pros and cons.....

Different rules for different players, and different amounts of leeway for different players has been going on since forever on NHL teams.

True accountability doesn't come from Coaches.
- MJL

This doesn't change the fact that Berube has sounded like a hypocrite at times.

No he didn't. And again I can only speculate as to what happened in the locker room. But I think ultimately this is why Hartnell was dealt. If that ain't accountability I don't know what is.

I would much rather of had it happen during the season......but I also think Berube was kind of in a bad spot there. He had to weigh the pros and cons.....
- MBFlyerfan

I imagine that everybody loved him personally, and it made him a very easy person to forgive. Just one look at that goofy face... just can't stay mad.

This doesn't change the fact that Berube has sounded like a hypocrite at times.
- NickTheKid87

Different players get different amounts of rope, which they earn over time. Problem is I think Hartnell took his rope and made a hammock out of it. So off to Columbus for you! Which in my mind was somewhat symbolic in and of itself......considering what happened to how Carter dealt with it lol.

The last remaining member of the Legion of Poon is gone to exile.

I imagine that everybody loved him personally, and it made him a very easy person to forgive. Just one look at that goofy face... just can't stay mad.
- Tomahawk

Different players get different amounts of rope, which they earn over time. Problem is I think Hartnell took his rope and made a hammock out of it. So off to Columbus for you! Which in my mind was somewhat symbolic in and of itself......considering what happened to how Carter dealt with it lol.

The last remaining member of the Legion of Poon is gone to exile.

- MBFlyerfan

It does seem like Hartnell was given an inch a took a mile. And I don't mind the idea have having different amounts of rope if it's earned. But eventually some players get to the end of even the longest of ropes and then something has to be done. Maybe, in this case, it was the trade.

B Richards got benched in favor of Newbury in the PO's... worked out for Torts.
- Tomahawk

Yep...they even managed to win 1 game in the SCF.

This doesn't change the fact that Berube has sounded like a hypocrite at times.
- NickTheKid87

A sports GM/coach contradicting himself??? Now I've heard everything.

RIP Richard Kiel. A true Giant of the industry.

RIP Richard Kiel. A true Giant of the industry.


- PLindbergh31

Guns don't kill people.
I kill people.

Innovation is a poor choice of words. I didn't see a ton of creativity is a better way to put my feelings. Accountability didn't run up and down the line up evenly, a lot of conservative line up choices that ended up being changed after guys were ineffective, failed to find an effective spot for Lecavalier.
- Jsaquella

got it. thanks.

i actually thought VL was pretty decent when he moved down to the 4th line spot, but i'm not sure there was anything he could do to help make him play better last season.

got it. thanks.

i actually thought VL was pretty decent when he moved down to the 4th line spot, but i'm not sure there was anything he could do to help make him play better last season.
- hammarby31

They could have tried moving him to LW, a position which he outright told them he couldn't play.

There's filth, and muck!
- Giroux_Is_God

It does seem like Hartnell was given an inch a took a mile. And I don't mind the idea have having different amounts of rope if it's earned. But eventually some players get to the end of even the longest of ropes and then something has to be done. Maybe, in this case, it was the trade.
- NickTheKid87

A Coach benching or limiting a player icetime, to hold a player accountable, isn't going to have a lasting effect. It's only temporary. And most Coaches aren't going to bench or scratch a veteran if they feel the effort is there, and a player is in a slump. Some players will get into a coaches doghouse for various reasons. But most good veteran players realize that in most cases they'll outlast the Coach.

I'll pick TWO measures: Speed and agility.
- jmatchett383

Those measures don't equate to results.

Looks really cool! I think Boomer Gordon from Sirius XM has Kevin Woodley on his show regularly to talk about NHL goalies. I love the segment.
- ManCity

thanks! i'm hopeful we'll back to the regular publishing schedule. i've done 3 special editions, and this is just the 2nd full regular issue. i plan on a design refresh with the january edition to start off the new year.

i didn't get that XM station on my sirius in the car for some reason, so i've never heard the show. kevin covers the canucks locally and does an excellent job.

From Timmy P

1. Scott Laughton
This is his third training camp where he will start with the prospects and get a shot to make the NHL roster. It’s time for the 20-year-old center to make a move. Really, it’s now or never for Laughton, especially with all the uncertainty surrounding Vinny Lecavalier’s viability at center or whether Brayden Schenn takes that job. Laughton needs to make a strong case for himself.

really? now or never for a 20 year old kid?
- nastyflyergirl

JFC. he's the absolute worst. how does this guy STILL have a (frank)ing job?

JFC. he's the absolute worst. how does this guy STILL have a (frank)ing job?
- hammarby31

If Laughton doesn't make the Flyers out of camp, I see him quitting hockey and pursuing a career in porn.

so there are a bunch of minor rule changes this year. i'm a bit confused by this, which is directly from nhl.com

* Rule 38.4 (viii) has been modified to allow broader discretion to Hockey Operations to assist the referees in determining the legitimacy of all potential goals (e.g., to ensure they are "good hockey goals"). The revised Rule will allow Hockey Operations to correct a broader array of situations where video review clearly establishes that a "goal" or "no goal" call on the ice has been made in error. The new expanded rule will also allow Hockey Operations to provide guidance to referees on goal and potential goal plays where the referee has blown his whistle (or intended to blow his whistle) after having lost sight of the puck.

ummmmm....wtf does that mean? "provide guidance"? they can't just get out of their own way, can they?