One win ahead of Buffalo and Carolina. Two ahead of Edmonton and Columbus.

Ridiculous.

Tuned the coach out could be it, but just another guess.
- ob18

I really don't want to go there, but when a team is this dysfunctional, and is just lifeless, the coach is going to pay the price in a lot of cases.

One win ahead of Buffalo and Carolina. Two ahead of Edmonton and Columbus.

Ridiculous.
- hereticpride

not really clb beat us and we suck

I just want to add that today, Vinny looked like the weakest 6'5" man on the face of the Earth.

Not enough talent
Not enough physical play
Dress Rosehill and Stortini for a game just to make them somewhat hard to play against. If you are going to lose at least have players out there that wont just lay down.

Cant play the top line the whole game which they need to do since their is literally not one single player outside of the top line contributing in anyway right now. It's amazing, I realized this would be a tough year but I never thought it would be this bad.. I never thought Couturier, Read and Simmonds would be as useless as they have been .
- opeth_pa

It's hard to watch...it's hard to get excited about this team, when they can't even get excited about playing......the Rangers have less talent then the Flyers , but they have a work ethic....they back check ...they make it hard to play against.....

I really don't want to go there, but when a team is this dysfunctional, and is just lifeless, the coach is going to pay the price in a lot of cases.
- MJL

Just tossing it out there because all that's being said is a guess as to what's the problem(s)

I don't think this is really about talent. If it was, this team would be a lot better. Something else is going on here.
- MJL

I think he was a steadying presence on D and in the locker room, at least. What else has changed from last year other than Hartnell gone? They weathered the storm with all the injuries, and now that most are healthy, they're poopting the bed. I'm not saying Timonen would make this team a cup contender, but they don't really have a guy with the same presence and respect in the locker room with him out. With nothing to stop the bleeding, they're just spiraling out of control now.

That's too easy..
Timonen does not make the Black Holes produce.
Their just isnt the right mix of player types on this team right now.
- opeth_pa

Timonen is not here, but they've added Del Zotto. And Laughton and Bellemare. For the most part it is the same team. After the slow start this team was decent last year. How is the mix that much different right now? They just aren't a team right now, and they are seriously in a mental hole.

I really don't want to go there, but when a team is this dysfunctional, and is just lifeless, the coach is going to pay the price in a lot of cases.
- MJL

Which is sad....because this isn't on him.

How would you assess the play of MacDonald today? He's been solid hasn't he?
- PLindbergh31

whenever you don't notice a defenseman that can be a good thing

That's too easy..
Timonen does not make the Black Holes produce.
Their just isnt the right mix of player types on this team right now.
- opeth_pa

Don't really get what's changed besides Hartnell and Timonen this year to make that big of a difference.

Timonen is not here, but they've added Del Zotto. And Laughton and Bellemare. For the most part it is the same team. After the slow start this team was decent last year. How is the mix that much different right now? They just aren't a team right now, and they are seriously in a mental hole.
- MJL

Last season was a mirage, fueled by ridiculously good special teams and late-game comebacks.

I'm rooting for a G injury. I want to plummet like its 06-07

I think he was a steadying presence on D and in the locker room, at least. What else has changed from last year other than Hartnell gone? They weathered the storm with all the injuries, and now that most are healthy, they're poopting the bed. I'm not saying Timonen would make this team a cup contender, but they don't really have a guy with the same presence and respect in the locker room with him out. With nothing to stop the bleeding, they're just spiraling out of control now.
- feelingkettle

I honestly don't know what the answer is right now. There is no fight in this dog. They're liken a beaten dog cowering in the corner. I didn't see a lot of pride out there. I still see guys gliding, not fighting all out for pucks. No desperation that you should see from a team in this position. Like they want something to happen.

It's hard to watch...it's hard to get excited about this team, when they can't even get excited about playing......the Rangers have less talent then the Flyers , but they have a work ethic....they back check ...they make it hard to play against.....
- landros 2

The Rangers are full of talent. They have a sure bet for the hall of fame in goal. Legit D pairings and two all star offensive players in Nash and MSL.

Which is sad....because this isn't on him.
- landros 2

Not even sure he's going to get fired. 3 different coaches in 2 years? Right, that will help things.

One win ahead of Buffalo and Carolina. Two ahead of Edmonton and Columbus.

Ridiculous.
- hereticpride

When Jake and G inevitably cool off, watch out. Top-3 pick could be a very realistic outcome.

Last season was a mirage, fueled by ridiculously good special teams and late-game comebacks.
- Tomahawk

Not completely. The Couturier/Read line was a lot better. And the late game comebacks showed resolve and fight. No fight in this team.

So when that happens and Couturier, Read, Simmonds, PEB, VL, Umberger , VDV all continue to be useless do we fire that next coach also?
- opeth_pa

I'm all for dumping most of the team

Yes & you run to the podium to take McDavid, unless Eichel is your player.
- ob18

Who are your favorite draft prospects at the moment? Interested to hear your thoughts outside of the top guys like McDavid and Eichel.

Edit: And I really hate having to ask that in November

Sucks watching nearly 40 year old Martin St. Louis with plenty of jump in his game with his old buddy Vinny on the other side playing like Turner Stevenson or something.

I'm all for dumping most of the team
- PhillaBully

Who? For what?

Not completely. The Couturier/Read line was a lot better. And the late game comebacks showed resolve and fight. No fight in this team.
- MJL

Agreed..No fight, no physical play, no desire. They literally just seem to be rolling over right now accepting that unless G, Jake and B Schenn are out there nothing is happening.

Something needs to be done with Couturier, Read and Simmonds..Sit one of them , trade, I dont know..something to wake the others up.

I just dont see VL and Umby as being core players on this team in a year or two when the defensive prospects show up but those other 3 they need to wake up and produce something..A check, a good penalty kill, a point..anything.

Who? For what?
- hereticpride

Berube benched Bellemare and put VDV.

He needs to go.

you got Umberger out there doing othing.

VLC looks like he's 89 years old.

Bench them.