When this team does not make playoffs then I think Hextall will fire him. Hextall would probably like to hire a coach. Berube was not his hire. Yes, the blueline is not good and we do have a Vinnyburger, however IMO I just think Hexy will want his own choice and after a season without playoff appearance would be time to make change
- 3flyerkids

GMs wanting their own guy in place happens all the time and is understandable.

But this roster is in such a state of flux right now, I'm not sure if anyone could just come in here and wave a magic wand and fix things.

But this roster is in such a state of flux right now, I'm not sure if anyone could just come in here and wave a magic wand and fix things.
- johndewar

Fix right away? No, of course not.

Get more out of the players on the current roster? Yes, I think so.

Coaches get salty all the time. It just so happens reporters were actually paying attention this time.
- johndewar

Good point

GMs wanting their own guy in place happens all the time and is understandable.

But this roster is in such a state of flux right now, I'm not sure if anyone could just come in here and wave a magic wand and fix things.
- johndewar

That's why Hextall has to get 'his guy' - one with the patience, stamina, and will to work with the team through what could be another rough year next season, because even if the D is cleaned up and a couple of the young guys are brought up, there will still be an adjustment period for them.

And the forward lines aren't going to be fixed overnight.

GMs wanting their own guy in place happens all the time and is understandable.

But this roster is in such a state of flux right now, I'm not sure if anyone could just come in here and wave a magic wand and fix things.
- johndewar

I'd be shocked if a coaching change happens before the end of the season.

That's why Hextall has to get 'his guy' - one with the patience, stamina, and will to work with the team through what could be another rough year next season, because even if the D is cleaned up and a couple of the young guys are brought up, there will still be an adjustment period for them.

And the forward lines aren't going to be fixed overnight.
- tangent_man

This is going to be a multi year process to fix this club. I don't see Hextall spending any serious money in free agency this year, nor do I see this team being anything more than a bubble team next year. And, I'm fine with that. I want to see this team built the right way: build a foundation through the draft and player development and fill in missing pieces here and there via trades and free agency.

That's why Hextall has to get 'his guy' - one with the patience, stamina, and will to work with the team through what could be another rough year next season, because even if the D is cleaned up and a couple of the young guys are brought up, there will still be an adjustment period for them.

And the forward lines aren't going to be fixed overnight.
- tangent_man

I think any coach for this team will need to have the approach of getting the team ready to win vs. getting the team to win, if that makes sense. They could make the playoffs this year although that's unlikely and who knows what the offseason holds but this team isn't a contender and as many of us agree, won't be for at least a few years.

I really don't see this team making playoffs therefore Chief may not be here next year. I wouldn't mind seeing Deboer. He really has not had the opportunity to coach a team with " offensive capability"
- 3flyerkids

damn i didnt even reslize he was fired... yes plz!

I'd be shocked if a coaching change happens before the end of the season.
- BiggE

I think there's a good chance it happens in the off season. Hextall knows (has to) that it would do no good now. But in next off season will be his time to start shining, or blowing out bulbs. He needs to at least start making roster moves to improve the team (granted, this will be a process over a few years), and he needs to get a coach in there to take the ride with him. Right now, Berube is running behind the car shouting at Hextall to stop and let him in, imo.

GMs wanting their own guy in place happens all the time and is understandable.

But this roster is in such a state of flux right now, I'm not sure if anyone could just come in here and wave a magic wand and fix things.
- johndewar

This is why I don't want a change right now. No coach is going to come in and turn this roster into a contender. But I do feel strongly that Berube, despite being dealt a bad hand, is not getting everything he could be getting out of it, either.

I'd give Berube another month or so. If they're still muddling about in 20th place and under .500, I'd bring up Murray as interim, and then do a full on search in spring/summer

This is going to be a multi year process to fix this club. I don't see Hextall spending any serious money in free agency this year, nor do I see this team being anything more than a bubble team next year. And, I'm fine with that. I want to see this team built the right way: build a foundation through the draft and player development and fill in missing pieces here and there via trades and free agency.
- BiggE

i think hextall has to pull the trigger on a yandle type, hell id see if nashville wants to entertain roman jossi, get another penalty killer and bam theyre back in business... i dont think this team is as bad as some of you guys make it out to be.

I think any coach for this team will need to have the approach of getting the team ready to win vs. getting the team to win, if that makes sense. They could make the playoffs this year although that's unlikely and who knows what the offseason holds but this team isn't a contender and as many of us agree, won't be for at least a few years.
- NickTheKid87

That makes a lot of sense, and I agree with you and BiggE above. This team is now a work in progress, and it has to be done the right way.

I'd be shocked if a coaching change happens before the end of the season.
- BiggE

Agreed. Probably better off a new coach comes in and gets a fresh start, instead of coming in mid-season into this mess.

That makes a lot of sense, and I agree with you and BiggE above. This team is now a work in progress, and it has to be done the right way.
- tangent_man

I think Hextall sees it that way too and won't trade assets that will be more important for the future for a band aid or a guy that will not be around in the long run.

i think hextall has to pull the trigger on a yandle type, hell id see if nashville wants to entertain roman jossi, get another penalty killer and bam theyre back in business... i dont think this team is as bad as some of you guys make it out to be.
- JoeRussomanno

They would have to give up too much for Yandle, IMO. I'm not moving a 1st rounder, Sanheim, Ghost or Morin for him. If it was a swap for B Schenn or something, maybe, but with the way the team is now, I don't think getting Yandle or a player like him matters.

Agreed. Probably better off a new coach comes in and gets a fresh start, instead of coming in mid-season into this mess.
- PLindbergh31

doesnt make a difference really... damn i didnt know they fired deboer... id love to have him behind the bench.... im sorry but him getting that last devils team the finals was very impressive to me... that blueline was not much better than this one.

They would have to give up too much for Yandle, IMO. I'm not moving a 1st rounder, Sanheim, Ghost or Morin for him. If it was a swap for B Schenn or something, maybe, but with the way the team is now, I don't think getting Yandle or a player like him matters.
- NickTheKid87

tgats the problem, yes it does matter, outside of streit and coburn they have no shot from the blueline and no one to give the forwards help getting the puck through the neutral zone with speed.

tgats the problem, yes it does matter, outside of streit and coburn they have no shot from the blueline and no one to give the forwards help getting the puck through the neutral zone with speed.
- JoeRussomanno

I'd be fine with adding Yandle, depending on the cost. Trading a 1st rounder, a top prospect and a young roster guy for a better version of Mark Streit? No, thanks.

I'd be fin with adding Yandle, depending on the cost. Trading a 1st rounder, a top prospect and a young roster guy for a better version of Mark Streit? No, thanks.
- Jsaquella

put yandle on this team with this forward corps and he'll look a lot better than a better version of mark streit... im thinking more like a balanced paul coffey.

I'd be fin with adding Yandle, depending on the cost. Trading a 1st rounder, a top prospect and a young roster guy for a better version of Mark Streit? No, thanks.
- Jsaquella

The money comes into play, too. Yandle's cap hit is 5.25...AZ would have to take a contract back (they certainly have the room), but there's hardly incentive for them to make a deal like that.

put yandle on this team with this forward corps and he'll look a lot better than a better version of mark streit... im thinking more like a balanced paul coffey.
- JoeRussomanno

He's not the offensive dynamo that Coffey was. Not even close. Yandle's a good player who is going to be as expensive as adding a superstar, because teams simply are not trading good defensemen right now.

The cost will be prohibitive and Yandle is not really a legit, all situations all around defenseman.

tgats the problem, yes it does matter, outside of streit and coburn they have no shot from the blueline and no one to give the forwards help getting the puck through the neutral zone with speed.
- JoeRussomanno

But that's the thing, you'll be trading good assets that will help in the long run to turn this team from a bottom 10 team to a fringe playoff team. Personally, I'm not worried about making the team good for this year or next, because I don't think they'll be up there with the Blackhawks, Kings, Blues, etc. for another few years anyway.

The money comes into play, too. Yandle's cap hit is 5.25...AZ would have to take a contract back (they certainly have the room), but there's hardly incentive for them to make a deal like that.
- tangent_man

Absolutely. But if you send them The Schenn Bros, they can fit the contract. They'd have to move a defenseman out to fit him on the roster as well as the cap.

Yandle falls in the same category as Byfuglien for me: would be nice to have, but the cost to trade for him doesn't make sense for us

Yandle falls in the same category as Byfuglien for me: would be nice to have, but the cost to trade for him doesn't make sense for us
- BulliesPhan87

Yup that's how I see it. Yandle will be a free agent after next season anyway so if they want him, they can sign him to a 7 year, $45m deal.