I need to start paying more attention!

- BiggE

I thought his ineffectiveness was due to it being the preseason...oh wait

Hartnell didn't score a point till his 10th game last year, and he was playing on the top line. It's a little early to panic about Umberger. At the very worst he's a cheap buyout next summer or the one after.
- Feanor

At the best he's an expensive buyout. At the worst hes in the lineup being Umberger

Some on this board made the same comments about Lavy when he was here...inability to change/adapt to the players they had on the rosters.
- aantny88

True
I'm not a big fan of either.
Berube has a system tailored towards one type of player, Lavy towards another. Neither seems to able to adapt their systems to better take advantage of the talent they have.

At the best he's an expensive buyout. At the worst hes in the lineup being Umberger
- Just5

But he's a really good skater, a great 2-way forward, and should be able to replace a good bit of Hartnell's production.

I just don't see it. Also he would have to do it quick as there are finally starting to bring guys through the system that bring more. Next year a guy like Leirer could push him out. Same Alderson or Cousins. Also you have guys like Straka and Abul-kubel that bring more size and speed with skill then him. I think he could be a solid 13 forward to bring in for a couple games during an injury but not a full time player.
- J35Bacher

I'm not going to beleive that a player who is still young and is in his first NHL season, can't get better and improve. And is pigeonholed as a spare forward.

Do you ever wonder if Hextall looks at Holmgren, Snider and Berube and thinks to himself "I left LA for this?"

- BiggE

Just a matter of time before he "streamlines" the coaching staff.

True
I'm not a big fan of either.
Berube has a system tailored towards one type of player, Lavy towards another. Neither seems to able to adapt their systems to better take advantage of the talent they have.
- BiggE

One thing Berube seems to value is speed.

I think that's why he's been willing to move guys like Raffl and Bellemare (to a lesser) extent up in the lineup.

It's also probably why he wants nothing to do with BSchenn on the top line or at center.

True
I'm not a big fan of either.
Berube has a system tailored towards one type of player, Lavy towards another. Neither seems to able to adapt their systems to better take advantage of the talent they have.
- BiggE

I'm not a great fan of Berube's passive approach behind the bench, where you "don't get results by yelling at a guy".

There are guys who respond to a pep talk, and there are guys who respond to a coach getting in their face. Some guys even respond to a coach getting in someone else's face. The trick is figuring out who's who.

Wish we could find the next Scotty Bowman to be our next coach.

Very successful with the Blues in the late 60's playing a physical brand of defense first hockey

Very successful in Montreal in the mid and late 70s playing an uptempo game.

Very successful with Pittsburgh in 91-92, had enough sense not to tinker much with Johnson's already existing and winning system while managing a team loaded with superstars

Very successful with Detroit in the late 90s, seamlessly incorporated a very Russian/European style into their game and was able to adapt to the newer breed of NHL players.

Obviously, coaches like Bowman are few and far between, but I'm just tired of one dimensional coaches like Lavy and Berube who seem clueless when it comes to getting the most out of the talent on their rosters.

One thing Berube seems to value is speed.

I think that's why he's been willing to move guys like Raffl and Bellemare (to a lesser) extent up in the lineup.

It's also probably why he wants nothing to do with BSchenn on the top line or at center.
- johndewar

Yup, no doubt. And, lord knows in today's NHL speed is more important than ever. However so is skill and smarts and I'm not sure he places enough value on those attributes, or that he is able to craft a system that optimizes his talent to the best of their abilities

come on hexy don't give up anything for d help our d help will come in the next few years and the draft if anything acquire assets

I'm not a great fan of Berube's passive approach behind the bench, where you "don't get results by yelling at a guy".

There are guys who respond to a pep talk, and there are guys who respond to a coach getting in their face. Some guys even respond to a coach getting in someone else's face. The trick is figuring out who's who.
- tangent_man

Exactly, it's one of the many things that made Fred Shero so successful. He knew which guys needed a pat on the back or maybe a quiet word in private and which needed to be yelled at in front of the club.

I'm not going to beleive that a player who is still young and is in his first NHL season, can't get better and improve. And is pigeonholed as a spare forward.
- MJL

I didn't say he couldn't develop but i don't think he has the attributes to make this turn into a full time player every year. There are plenty of guys that have changed their games to make it but they also brought something to the table like speed, size, defensivness, toughness.

I didn't say he couldn't develop but i don't think he has the attributes to make this turn into a full time player every year. There are plenty of guys that have changed their games to make it but they also brought something to the table like speed, size, defensivness, toughness.
- J35Bacher

Exactly

Yup, no doubt. And, lord knows in today's NHL speed is more important than ever. However so is skill and smarts and I'm not sure he places enough value on those attributes, or that he is able to craft a system that optimizes his talent to the best of their abilities
- BiggE

New lines (listed LW-C-RW, in order of TOI):

Jones - Couturier - Simmonds
Schenn - Umberger - Rinaldo
Voracek - Read - Couturier
Lecavalier - Giroux - the rest

The other team will be so (frank)ing confused that they'll just forfeit.

Wish we could find the next Scotty Bowman to be our next coach.

Very successful with the Blues in the late 60's playing a physical brand of defense first hockey

Very successful in Montreal in the mid and late 70s playing an uptempo game.

Very successful with Pittsburgh in 91-92, had enough sense not to tinker much with Johnson's already existing and winning system while managing a team loaded with superstars

Very successful with Detroit in the late 90s, seamlessly incorporated a very Russian/European style into their game and was able to adapt to the newer breed of NHL players.

Obviously, coaches like Bowman are few and far between, but I'm just tired of one dimensional coaches like Lavy and Berube who seem clueless when it comes to getting the most out of the talent on their rosters.
- BiggE

Definitely a generational talent in the coaching dept.

Exactly, it's one of the many things that made Fred Shero so successful. He knew which guys needed a pat on the back or maybe a quiet word in private and which needed to be yelled at in front of the club.
- BiggE

And which one needed to stick his hand into a bucket of water and informed of how much the team would miss him.

Exactly, it's one of the many things that made Fred Shero so successful. He knew which guys needed a pat on the back or maybe a quiet word in private and which needed to be yelled at in front of the club.
- BiggE

And where do you know he doesn't try this? I think he is trying to work with what he is given and with the shift to letting our prospects develop in the AHL he is stuck with certain players. He might want to play guys like Laughton, Straka, Alt, Cousins, Leirer but with the new GM he might be told that isn't an option right now.

I didn't say he couldn't develop but i don't think he has the attributes to make this turn into a full time player every year. There are plenty of guys that have changed their games to make it but they also brought something to the table like speed, size, defensivness, toughness.
- J35Bacher

The biggest problem I have is the Berube openly stated he needs to change his game and find a niche as a 4th line player.

I didn't say he couldn't develop but i don't think he has the attributes to make this turn into a full time player every year. There are plenty of guys that have changed their games to make it but they also brought something to the table like speed, size, defensivness, toughness.
- J35Bacher

Come on guys, Matt Konan is young. I expect him to become a top-pair defender down the road.

True
I'm not a big fan of either.
Berube has a system tailored towards one type of player, Lavy towards another. Neither seems to able to adapt their systems to better take advantage of the talent they have.
- BiggE

I disagree that Berube has a system tailored towards one type of player. Berube's system and style of play is very similar to what the top teams in the League play. Versus Laviolette's over agressive style and system. If anything Berube's system is one that a wide variety of players can play.

The biggest problem I have is the Berube openly stated he needs to change his game and find a niche as a 4th line player.
- jak521

Some guys just need to learn to buy in. If Pronger would stop being a baby and put the work in, he'd be a nice 3rd line LW.

Come on guys, Matt Konan is young. I expect him to become a top-pair defender down the road.
- jmatchett383

The term used was get better and improve

Come on guys, Matt Konan is young. I expect him to become a top-pair defender down the road.
- jmatchett383

Norris trophy for sure, right about the same season that Straka takes the Art Ross, Cousins the Hart and Alderson the Selke.

The biggest problem I have is the Berube openly stated he needs to change his game and find a niche as a 4th line player.
- jak521

He does need to change his game. He needs to be a better player away from the puck.