Please tell me this is sarcasm.

Also, what do you realistically think the odds of that are after watching last night's game?
- jmatchett383

This reminds me of a red hot chili pepper song... "If you have to ask..."

Maybe if Schenn could hold a 7-step lead and good initial positioning over 1/3 of the ice, it wouldn't be an issue. I'm not sure why that's Giroux's fault.
- jmatchett383

I agree. Giroux wasn't going to catch him, plus he has to worry about the trailer.

Maybe if Schenn could hold a 7-step lead and good initial positioning over 1/3 of the ice, it wouldn't be an issue. I'm not sure why that's Giroux's fault.
- jmatchett383

Who blamed Giroux? I just said he shouldn't have stopped skating.

Over a short interval, anything can happen. But in many cases it cannot be sustained. That is true of players and teams. Yes, we played well in that one series. Probably would have played the Penguins tough too. But I don't have any illusions that we would have gone much further last year. And this year too many teams moved forward, and we went backward (loss of Kimmo and Hartnell).
- TheGreat28

No way. We almost beat a team 4 times when they played 2 pretty atrocious games over a 7-game span. We're just one step away.

This reminds me of a red hot chili pepper song... "If you have to ask..."
- JoeRussomanno

Last good album they put out.

Who blamed Giroux? I just said he shouldn't have stopped skating.
- bradleyc4

He should skate hard to do what? Allow a trailer to get separation? His job in the example would be to pick up the first trailer, not to have 2 players cover the same guy.

They need natural wingers. I'm not on the Schenn Sucks bandwagon yet because I really think they are playing him out of position. I vehemently disagree with the philosophy that we can take any old center and make him a winger. I have for years. Laughton and Couturier are both centers, pure and simple.

OK, so Holmgren thought Laughton was the best player available at the time. WRONG! by the way. I really wanted Maata, and how good would he have looked now. But if you are not drafting from a position of need, then you look at these guys as assets. And he might be your best asset.
- TheGreat28

I dont now bout Schenn, reminds me more of pat Falloon anymore... I hear you bout Laughton but he's been playing very well too would like to see how he plays with the big club

Last good album they put out.
- jmatchett383

Indeed

They almost won a playoff series. Plan the parade!
- jmatchett383

They made the playoffs. Which is more than can be said about any Jets/Thrashers team in recent memory.

But yes, ditch your argument and plan the parade.

I actually agree with this. Have to give up to get... I'd much rather deal Read than Laughton or Schenn or just about anyone younger.

I also agree with the sentiment that this ain't the time to be pulling the trigger on anything... unless Hexy likes being bent over that is.
- Tomahawk

Well, Read's age and contract are going to factor into the return as well. Who gets you more - Laughton or Read? And where do you play Laughton long-term?

It is easy to criticize Berube for the lack of offensive zone starts for Couturier. But I personally think it has something to do with a lack of confidence in Cout's offensive capabilities at this point. A large part of it of course is Berube probably ONLY has confidence in that line's defensive awareness too.

But IF neither Couturier nor Laughton evolves offensively, you simply cannot play them as 2nd/3rd line centers IMO. One will likely need to go, or be played out of position. Or Laughton gets under-utilized as your 4th line center.

Well, Read's age and contract are going to factor into the return as well. Who gets you more - Laughton or Read? And where do you play Laughton long-term?

It is easy to criticize Berube for the lack of offensive zone starts for Couturier. But I personally think it has something to do with a lack of confidence in Cout's offensive capabilities at this point. A large part of it of course is Berube probably ONLY has confidence in that line's defensive awareness too.

But IF neither Couturier nor Laughton evolves offensively, you simply cannot play them as 2nd/3rd line centers IMO. One will likely need to go, or be played out of position. Or Laughton gets under-utilized as your 4th line center.
- TheGreat28

I said before I think Laughton ends up being the second line center. It just seems like coot is destined to be a third liner. Either way I'm happy with both guys

They made the playoffs. Which is more than can be said about any Jets/Thrashers team in recent memory.

But yes, ditch your argument and plan the parade.
- hereticpride

I'd rather they have a nucleus of young players just starting to get on the roster coupled with a deep prospect pool as opposed to making the playoffs and getting ousted early year after year.

Last good album they put out.
- jmatchett383

They still do decent stuff, but it's definitely watered down pop music (that I don't really care for). Hey, can you blame them? They're old people now, probably with grandkids and heart medicine.

Well, Read's age and contract are going to factor into the return as well. Who gets you more - Laughton or Read? And where do you play Laughton long-term?
- TheGreat28

I don't think either is enough to fetch that 'one missing piece'... but Read could net something pretty useful that could address some immediate and long-term needs. Raffl, Bellemare, Laughton... they have some guys that could fill Read's void alone, or by committee.

Don't get me wrong, Read would be a big loss... team sucks defensively, and he's their 2nd-best defensive forward. It's going to sting for a bit.

A large part of it of course is Berube probably ONLY has confidence in that line's defensive awareness too.
- TheGreat28

I think that's 100% it. The other C's are mediocre at best, and that's w/o Vinny in the lineup, too.

But IF neither Couturier nor Laughton evolves offensively, you simply cannot play them as 2nd/3rd line centers IMO. One will likely need to go, or be played out of position. Or Laughton gets under-utilized as your 4th line center.
- TheGreat28

Have to cross that bridge when they get there... who knows, Laughton could be a real ace and a perfect #2 C, slotting Coots at #3 permanently. Hard to say right now. I'd rather let Laughts finish his development cycle before moving him.

I said before I think Laughton ends up being the second line center. It just seems like coot is destined to be a third liner. Either way I'm happy with both guys
- JoeRussomanno

I think that's a pretty big assumption based on one 19-year-old OHL season (which Coots never had) and a handful of professional games. Remember, Couturier was a QMJHL scoring champion. I'm not saying either is your 2C, but appointing Laughton seems a bit premature.

They still do decent stuff, but it's definitely watered down pop music (that I don't really care for). Hey, can you blame them? They're old people now, probably with grandkids and heart medicine.
- BulliesPhan87

That's my issue. They used to have some bite to their music. It wasn't "hard" but it was a little raw, and it worked. Even One Hot Minute has a few. After that, they took the Green Day approach and became a radio-friendly pop machine.

I think that's a pretty big assumption based on one 19-year-old OHL season (which Coots never had) and a handful of professional games. Remember, Couturier was a QMJHL scoring champion. I'm not saying either is your 2C, but appointing Laughton seems a bit premature.
- jmatchett383

Why don't we just cross this bridge when we get there?

Why don't we just cross this bridge when we get there?
- KGBflyers10

I'm fine with that. I never said I wasn't. Just don't think we should be penciling in a 20-year-old with a handful of pro games in as top-6 centers.

That's my issue. They used to have some bite to their music. It wasn't "hard" but it was a little raw, and it worked. Even One Hot Minute has a few. After that, they took the Green Day approach and became a radio-friendly pop machine.
- jmatchett383

I think By the Way has a few decent tunes, but largely I prefer their older, rawer stuffs.

As for Green Day, I always thought they were kind of poop.

It is easy to criticize Berube for the lack of offensive zone starts for Couturier. But I personally think it has something to do with a lack of confidence in Cout's offensive capabilities at this point. A large part of it of course is Berube probably ONLY has confidence in that line's defensive awareness too.

- TheGreat28

Then don't call Cooter out saying he needs to produce more... I hate to say it but I think I'm on the fire Berube bandwagon already.

I think By the Way has a few decent tunes, but largely I prefer their older, rawer stuffs.

As for Green Day, I always thought they were kind of poop.
- BulliesPhan87

Whether or not you liked Green Day (was never a huge fan), they definitely changed their sound after the first 2 full-lengths. The first LP is fairly W.C. punk, Dookie is still sorta punk, but watered down, and then...the rest.

I think that's a pretty big assumption based on one 19-year-old OHL season (which Coots never had) and a handful of professional games. Remember, Couturier was a QMJHL scoring champion. I'm not saying either is your 2C, but appointing Laughton seems a bit premature.
- jmatchett383

Couturier may be the perfect 2C for all we know. He hasn't exactly been given an opportunity to blossom. Considering the position he has been in, I think he has produced quite well.

I think that's a pretty big assumption based on one 19-year-old OHL season (which Coots never had) and a handful of professional games. Remember, Couturier was a QMJHL scoring champion. I'm not saying either is your 2C, but appointing Laughton seems a bit premature.
- jmatchett383

Look, everyone knows that you can't judge a player based on Q stats. (and why do I have a Geico commercial in my head right now).

I don't think either of them are truly creative enough or offensively-inclined enough for that 2nd line center spot. Time will tell. But I'd put money on it.

Look, everyone knows that you can't judge a player based on Q stats. (and why do I have a Geico commercial in my head right now).

I don't think either of them are truly creative enough or offensively-inclined enough for that 2nd line center spot. Time will tell. But I'd put money on it.
- TheGreat28

I would love to see Couts get a true shot at using his offensive side.

Then don't call Cooter out saying he needs to produce more... I hate to say it but I think I'm on the fire Berube bandwagon already.
- JFlyers00

I think it is fair to say they want him to produce more. I think it is also fair to judge him based in part on how you use him. In other words, press him to do more but don't punish him for not doing as much as he could.