I guarantee Hextall is evaluating each and every player on the team as we speak. Whole sale changes will be coming soon to cut dead weight. I will be completely surprised if we dont see a new roster by next season. Im talking like at least half this roster gone.
- GOA88

The dead weight is so hard to move though. If they can find anyway to move Lecavalier and Umberger without eating salary and taking on bad contracts in return, Hextall should be revered as the second coming of Christ. Not only is the dead weight dead, it's also chained to the team for years to come.

They are a dime a dozen though.

Like someone else said, Giroux went out of his way last year during the putrid start and said the team would make the playoffs. He then carried them to the first round. That's all I need to see from him.

Is this a test for Giroux as a leader? Absolutely. But he's been down this road before and it's worked.
- KGBflyers10

No, those players are far from a dime a dozen, so I'm not saying go and grab one. Giroux may be the most "captain" player we have, but I don't think he's the optimal choice. I'd prefer a guy like Toews or Weber, although I realize we won't have one any time soon.

Vincent Lecavalier: two-way, power forward, complete player.
- Tomahawk

There's the hyperbole I expect!

Is this the new "literally" where it means the opposite of "literally?"
- jmatchett383

no, he's right, they would quite literally all be pacifists with advanced pacemakers regulating their bloodflow

not an ideal mix

No, those players are far from a dime a dozen, so I'm not saying go and grab one. Giroux may be the most "captain" player we have, but I don't think he's the optimal choice. I'd prefer a guy like Toews or Weber, although I realize we won't have one any time soon.
- jmatchett383

Sorry, we're on the same page. I messed up the "dime a dozen" comment. Haven't had my morning tea yet.

There's the hyperbole I expect!
- MJL

All your words, I can't take credit for them.

So then wouldn't the smart play to make Simmonds available for a LW with more skill.

Yes I know what Simmonds brings but is it so much he can't be moved for a more pressing need? You might be able to get a nice package for simmonds.
- J35Bacher

I don't think so. If they dealt Simmonds for that, then they'd have the playmaking LW, and they would then be in need of a power forward type.

All your words, I can't take credit for them.
- Tomahawk

That's incorrect. I never labeled Lecavalier a 2 way player.

Find another way to get it. KEEP Simmonds. Trade Read and a defender for a LW.
- GOA88

I would trade Read and a defender. I also think Simmonds would garner a very nice package. I would pretty much make anyone other then Giroux, Voracek, Laughton and Couturier available. I know you can't trade everyone but I would do my best if out of it at the TDL to move guys to create some financially flexability and also begin to build the roster to the way i want them playing.

Simmonds and B Schenn are the players most teams want... Cooty and Read have lost some appeal and maybe a few teams like Coburn. Hexy is going to have a tough time making trades

He seems like a pretty good captain, from what I've witnessed. Gets along w/ everybody, keeps things on an even keel, leads by example, is eager to take the bull by the horns, and he's one of the most competitive, fiery guys on the team.

IMO, it's not his fault the team is full of overpaid driftwood. It's not that they won't play better or buy-in... it's because some of them simply can't.
- Tomahawk

It's all about the talent on the ice right now. It's not like Weber was some great captain then became a bad captain is now good again.

You can have the best leadership in the world but you need talent to win the games

I guarantee Hextall is evaluating each and every player on the team as we speak. Whole sale changes will be coming soon to cut dead weight. I will be completely surprised if we dont see a new roster by next season. Im talking like at least half this roster gone.
- GOA88

I don't see that much of a turnover happening.

That's incorrect. I never labeled Lecavalier a 2 way player.
- MJL

Glad to see we can add short memory to your list of many virtues.

I didn't want to break up G and V but I didn't expect there to be zero secondary scoring. So I would try this lineup. If it doesn't work, sell off everything but the core. Two scoring lines (flip Raffl and BSchenn if you like), a checking line with three quick, defensively minded guys, and a 4th line that gets 7 minutes a night.

Raffl-Giroux-Simmonds
BSchenn-Couturier-Voracek
Bellemare-Laughton-Read
Rinaldo-Lecavalier-Umberger

Del Zotto-Coburn
MacDonald-Streit
Schultz-LSchenn

He seems like a pretty good captain, from what I've witnessed. Gets along w/ everybody, keeps things on an even keel, leads by example, is eager to take the bull by the horns, and he's one of the most competitive, fiery guys on the team.

IMO, it's not his fault the team is full of overpaid driftwood. It's not that they won't play better or buy-in... it's because some of them simply can't.
- Tomahawk

Our forwards are either not quite there yet (Coots and to a lesser extent, BSchenn) or are shot players at this point (18 and 40).

Our blueline is Streit, MDZ, Coburn, and basically, 3 of the same, slow, lumbering player.

Even changing out the coach on this team feels like you're just polishing a turd.

You need your young players to develop and you need 18 and 40 to find a way to contribute....and MAYBE, this team will be first round playoff fodder.

It's all about the talent on the ice right now. It's not like Weber was some great captain then became a bad captain is now good again.

You can have the best leadership in the world but you need talent to win the games
- PhillySportsGuy

The moment I knew Giroux was a good captain was game 6 against the Pens. Everyone was nervous as hell when the Pens won those two games in a row. His first shift set the tone for that game.

no, he's right, they would quite literally all be pacifists with advanced pacemakers regulating their bloodflow

not an ideal mix
- BulliesPhan87

I'm just wondering how a team can "literally" have fight and/or a heart, unless the players of the team all become on being via some weird Frankenstein-esque experiment.

Simmonds and B Schenn are the players most teams want... Cooty and Read have lost some appeal and maybe a few teams like Coburn. Hexy is going to have a tough time making trades
- vejim

Sean Couturier is still just barely old enough to drink in a bar and he's received a significant enough number of Selke votes to be mentioned out loud. He's still a player 29 other teams would love to have.

I didn't want to break up G and V but I didn't expect there to be zero secondary scoring. So I would try this lineup. If it doesn't work, sell off everything but the core. Two scoring lines (flip Raffl and BSchenn if you like), a checking line with three quick, defensively minded guys, and a 4th line that gets 7 minutes a night.

Raffl-Giroux-Simmonds
BSchenn-Couturier-Voracek
Bellemare-Laughton-Read
Rinaldo-Lecavalier-Umberger

Del Zotto-Coburn
MacDonald-Streit
Schultz-LSchenn
- Feanor

I'm digging everything you've done here, except I'd scratch 40 and 18 and just go w/ 8 dmen, lol.

Simmonds and B Schenn are the players most teams want... Cooty and Read have lost some appeal and maybe a few teams like Coburn. Hexy is going to have a tough time making trades
- vejim

I don't think he wants to make many trades honestly unless he can get a favorable return that would promote the long-term health of the team. I doubt he'll make any moves for vets unless they come at a primo price. I don't think he moves Simmonds, BSchenn, Couts or Read given the long term plan. Maybe Coburn but they still have time to decide and only if they get a great return.

Glad to see we can add short memory to your list of many virtues.
- Tomahawk

Don't need to rely on memory. The post is there for anyone to see. You said you used my words. The words two way are not in my post.

I'm just wondering how a team can "literally" have fight and/or a heart, unless the players of the team all become on being via some weird Frankenstein-esque experiment.
- jmatchett383

well, I removed my Fight card several years ago, but I'm pretty sure anybody with a compatible brain and an open expansion slot can install some Fight with ease

unless you're these guys and you've used all your expansion slots on Play poopty Hockey modules

The amazing thing is, going into that 5 day break they had, this team had won 6 of 8 games, and 3 in a row before that break. They come out of the break, and have been completely inept losing 7 of 8. How does that happen? It's mind boggling.
- MJL

The more time Berube gets to think over things and drill the guys in practice, the worse the team plays.

I don't think so. If they dealt Simmonds for that, then they'd have the playmaking LW, and they would then be in need of a power forward type.
- MJL

Maybe. But I don't think it is out of the question that Couturier can become that power forward with some better wings.

Also name me all the power forwards in the league really making a difference. Or is it that they have skilled guys that play big?