not sure what you mean by no its not, but i do know summer of 2013 i despised the shopping spree homer went on and was told im a negative nancy, now we're tripping over ourselves with ideas on how to get of two of the three deals... lets get another coach in there starting tommorow, b/c keeping berube in here is like staying in a relationship with a heroin addict, its not going anywhere good amd youre better off without them.
- JoeRussomanno

I'm not sold simply changing coaches would fix it. Yes, you were 100% right about the Lecavalier deal. He's washed up or simply doesn't give a poop anymore. Right now what they have isn't good enough to win and they lack the chips to trade and fix it.

- Jsaquella

its proffessional spprts, you can be a poop stain one season and having a parade the next
- JoeRussomanno

I honestly want to beat you for this kind of Holmgren/Snider-eque thinking.

The problem is that unless the 2 albatrosses choose to retire, you are going to have a 2 year team like the early 90's 4 year non playoff teams, with Giroux and Voracek and Mason, but no Lindros/Brind Amour/Recchi/Renberg, no one like Forsberg has been drafted. Its an Al Conroy and Greg Paslawski and Doug Sulliman kind of line up without the truly dominant player on the first line. We are not even certain there is a solid #2 center coming up.
- Steelmanpa

The problem is definitely that by the time the young kids from the D prospects come up now, or others drafted this year Giroux and Voracek may not be the same they are now.

It sucks, but its not something I fear as much. If that's a hit you have to make so be it, but don't try to accelerate a process that's meant to be organic. The status quo that this organization has used, by trying desperately to 'win now' is what got them into this mess imo.

I'm not sold simply changing coaches would fix it. Yes, you were 100% right about the Lecavalier deal. He's washed up or simply doesn't give a poop anymore. Right now what they have isn't good enough to win and they lack the chips to trade and fix it.
- Jsaquella

yes but you have said berube wont be there when they right the ship. i say what do you have to lose by firing berube? hes clearly mishandled these players and they are not responding to him. its one thing the roster lacks hart trophy winners, its another that they dont even do little things right like completing a pass or skating in the right direction. they need a chamge there and i think it would be good to see what murray can do and if babcock is available go full bore after him but for all we know he's inking a deal with detroit as we speak

I honestly want to beat you for this kind of Holmgren/Snider-eque thinking.
- flyer_nutter

The only way that reversal happens is if Comcast threatens to sell the team to a market the NHL doesnt want it going to

yes but you have said berube wont be there when they right the ship. i say what do you have to lose by firing berube? hes clearly mishandled these players and they are not responding to him. its one thing the roster lacks hart trophy winners, its another that they dont even do little things right like completing a pass or skating in the right direction. they need a chamge there and i think it would be good to see what murray can do and if babcock is available go full bore after him but for all we know he's inking a deal with detroit as we speak
- JoeRussomanno

Nothing. I'm fine if they fire him tomorrow.

But I think it's more than a coach mishandling his players. I don't think Murray or Babcock or anyone else comes in waving a magic wand and suddenly they're a good team. I don't think trading for Eberle while giving up Coburn or whatever makes them markedly better

The only way that reversal happens is if Comcast threatens to sell the team to a market the NHL doesnt want it going to
- Steelmanpa

its not a matter of thinking its reality... look around the sporting world at how oftena team is garbage one year and king of the mountain the next... injuries have a lot to do with it but all these leagues want parity, well they got it

Nothing. I'm fine if they fire him tomorrow.

But I think it's more than a coach mishandling his players. I don't think Murray or Babcock or anyone else comes in waving a magic wand and suddenly they're a good team. I don't think trading for Eberle while giving up Coburn or whatever makes them markedly better
- Jsaquella

i think something murray would do, is not give up leads in the third period... i dont remember his teams being prone to that.

yes but you have said berube wont be there when they right the ship. i say what do you have to lose by firing berube? hes clearly mishandled these players and they are not responding to him. its one thing the roster lacks hart trophy winners, its another that they dont even do little things right like completing a pass or skating in the right direction. they need a chamge there and i think it would be good to see what murray can do and if babcock is available go full bore after him but for all we know he's inking a deal with detroit as we speak
- JoeRussomanno

To me, I think Berube was the wrong choice, and wont be the right choice into the future.

However.. The time to fire him isn't now for me. Its in the off-season. When you have a better chance at going after Babcock, or the San Jose guy who may not make it. I would personally like to se Murray stay on as HC of the Phantoms, where he seems to be doing a decent job and not give a promotion to Cote to lead that team.

Its a similar story when they fired Lava. They should have made the move earlier, and had a chance at a better group of coaches, instead they waited and limited themselves.

The problem is definitely that by the time the young kids from the D prospects come up now, or others drafted this year Giroux and Voracek may not be the same they are now.

It sucks, but its not something I fear as much. If that's a hit you have to make so be it, but don't try to accelerate a process that's meant to be organic. The status quo that this organization has used, by trying desperately to 'win now' is what got them into this mess imo.
- flyer_nutter

Hextall has talked a good long term game plan, but I think we are all waiting to see how this current nosedive situation is handled and things during and after this immediate season. I mean if you have players that are lacking speed and certain skills you craft a system for your talent. Play dump and wait and mimic Guy Bouchers system with a 1/4 "torpedo" for anything other than the first line. If the coach cant figure that out to at least make the team competitive within their limits

i think something murray would do, is not give up leads in the third period... i dont remember his teams being prone to that.
- JoeRussomanno

The last time he coached in the NHL, his team was sort of notorious for not having 3rd period leads

I'm not sold simply changing coaches would fix it. Yes, you were 100% right about the Lecavalier deal. He's washed up or simply doesn't give a poop anymore. Right now what they have isn't good enough to win and they lack the chips to trade and fix it.
- Jsaquella

My thoughts on Lecavalier I know are unpopular but I see a lot of tunnel vision, so I try to look for a flip side of the coin if I can.

For as bad as Vincent Lecavalier was last season, he's even worse this season. However, he started this season on a line with Umberger and Raffl. Lecavalier got hurt, since he's played on a line with Umberger, Laughton (A kid who still trying to find his game), Bellemare, Rinaldo and Vandevelde. If there is even the smallest possibility of Lecavalier playing up to his contract, it's not going to happen. The guy doesn't stand a chance.

Last season Lecavalier played the majority of Simmonds and Schenn, which he produced. He started the season with Giroux and Raffl, which he wasn't bad but the line wasn't exactly lights out. Raffl was probably in the same situation Laughton is right now, where he's trying to find his game. Lecavalier also saw some time with Couturier and Read. By season's end Lecavalier was playing with Rinaldo and Hall.

I'm not at all saying Lecavalier deserves more ice time, what I am saying is, we don't stand a chance of getting any production from him while he's playing with less talented players. To me, these are the facts. When he's playing with talented players, produces. When he plays with less talented players, he doesn't.

The last time he coached in the NHL, his team was sort of notorious for not having 3rd period leads
- Jsaquella

u could say that for a lot of coaches who were fired. look at lavy

Hextall has talked a good long term game plan, but I think we are all waiting to see how this current nosedive situation is handled and things during and after this immediate season. I mean if you have players that are lacking speed and certain skills you craft a system for your talent. Play dump and wait and mimic Guy Bouchers system with a 1/4 "torpedo" for anything other than the first line. If the coach cant figure that out to at least make the team competitive within their limits
- Steelmanpa

Grab my nipple hair and pull, rip off my testicles and shoot me.

u could say that for a lot of coaches who were fired. look at lavy
- JoeRussomanno

Laviolette failed to adapt his system for a team that lacked the personnel he needed to execute his system well. Anyone surprised by his success in Nashville should look at his career-he's always had success at the start of his term.

He is a good coach and when you have guys who can play his system he's going to win a lot of games. But he's stubborn and prone to trying to fit square pegs into round holes.

The last time he coached in the NHL, his team was sort of notorious for not having 3rd period leads
- Jsaquella

What kind of poisonous environment is it for players to be stuck with a lame duck coach and fellow players who are toast for another 50+ games and perhaps another year or two ? I dont know how far this being a millionaire player solves everything in life.

I agree that leaving Murray in Allentown is best, but there has to be some accountability and evaluation of players in a non toxic environment going forward and I dont know how you can do that when the team is mishandled.

A goalie that Hextall signed strictly for the minor system has been tanking games in Reading. He gave up 7 goals in 2 periods, the coach left him in there to finish the second period likely as punishment for his attitude. He did not get much help last night, but he blew it on at least 3 of the goals. Hopefully the Phantoms environment is better in their room.

Nothing. I'm fine if they fire him tomorrow.

But I think it's more than a coach mishandling his players. I don't think Murray or Babcock or anyone else comes in waving a magic wand and suddenly they're a good team. I don't think trading for Eberle while giving up Coburn or whatever makes them markedly better
- Jsaquella

Well ,when Grossmann and Mason ( combined 7 pts) are only trailing Vinny and Zombie by 1 point.I guess there really isn't any coach that could help.
I do think Babcock is the guy Hexy should pursue big time .

Laviolette failed to adapt his system for a team that lacked the personnel he needed to execute his system well. Anyone surprised by his success in Nashville should look at his career-he's always had success at the start of his term.

He is a good coach and when you have guys who can play his system he's going to win a lot of games. But he's stubborn and prone to trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
- Jsaquella

The firing of Laviolette was ridiculous. Three games into a season, he gets fired for losing three games and for missing the playoffs once? I think the guy deserved a lot more rope. In fact with the personnel given, Holmgren should have been let go first. Whether or not anyone wants to believe it, Laviolette's firing was a scapegoat move.

What kind of poisonous environment is it for players to be stuck with a lame duck coach and fellow players who are toast for another 50+ games and perhaps another year or two ? I dont know how far this being a millionaire player solves everything in life.

I agree that leaving Murray in Allentown is best, but there has to be some accountability and evaluation of players in a non toxic environment going forward and I dont know how you can do that when the team is mishandled.

A goalie that Hextall signed strictly for the minor system has been tanking games in Reading. He gave up 7 goals in 2 periods, the coach left him in there to finish the second period likely as punishment for his attitude. He did not get much help last night, but he blew it on at least 3 of the goals. Hopefully the Phantoms environment is better in their room.
- Steelmanpa

That's the best argument for firing Berube I have heard.

Right now I hesitate because there's not enough good candidates available. Outside of Guy Boucher, who is there? Torts? Murray? Gord Murphy? Lappy?

If you're the GM and you have a vision for what each guy should be, then tell the coach you want to see certain things and give him a time frame. If he can't fix those areas, then make a move.

Grab my nipple hair and pull, rip off my testicles and shoot me.
- flyer_nutter

I love it when you talk dirty
it would keep the slothfoots from crossing the opposing blue line and getting caught up ice with odd man rushes on breakouts, they can play defensive circle to opposing blue line, sort of like kids games where they use half the ice

The firing of Laviolette was ridiculous. Three games into a season, he gets fired for losing three games and for missing the playoffs once? I think the guy deserved a lot more rope. In fact with the personnel given, Holmgren should have been let go first. Whether or not anyone wants to believe it, Laviolette's firing was a scapegoat move.
- SuperSchennBros

He should have been fired after the lockout shortened season, or during it.

That's the best argument for firing Berube I have heard.

Right now I hesitate because there's not enough good candidates available. Outside of Guy Boucher, who is there? Torts? Murray? Gord Murphy? Lappy?

If you're the GM and you have a vision for what each guy should be, then tell the coach you want to see certain things and give him a time frame. If he can't fix those areas, then make a move.
- Jsaquella

There's always Disco Dan. I'd really have zero interest in promoting anyone from within besides Murray.

That's the best argument for firing Berube I have heard.

Right now I hesitate because there's not enough good candidates available. Outside of Guy Boucher, who is there? Torts? Murray? Gord Murphy? Lappy?

If you're the GM and you have a vision for what each guy should be, then tell the coach you want to see certain things and give him a time frame. If he can't fix those areas, then make a move.
- Jsaquella

I think an interim coach from within for the remainder of the season so they can target their guy from outside. The interim should be a guy who WILL NOT be the head coach under any circumstance

I think an interim coach from within for the remainder of the season so they can target their guy from outside. The interim should be a guy who WILL NOT be the head coach under any circumstance
- Steelmanpa

What if they hand the reigns over to Gord Murphy and he coaches them into the playoffs? Do you really turn around and replace him at that point?

That's the issue, is it about saving this season or ensuring that you're not making a mistake in acting too rashly?