These guys have no NHL game?
- CubanBuffet

O'Reilly seems like the career AHL all-star type. Saguinetti is intriguing, the guy was pretty hyped as a prospect and could potentially fill a NHL role as a 6/7 PP specialist.

I heard about this, but who reported it? Also, players are probably better suited to just playing and not running the team. Otherwise all draft picks and prospects would get traded for veteran help.
- Nucker101

Who's the GM, the Ikea brothers???

To cover up for their defence, or lack thereof? If that's truly the case this team is messed up more that I had envisioned.
- VanHockeyGuy

Exit interviews can be more of a lobbying effort on the players part.

Can't blame them-- If they are comfortable and the pay is good. They will say anything.

MGT had to take the players comments at face value.

After this year these players cannot hide.

Just want to throw this out there - Did anyone else hear that almost ALL the players in their exit interviews last year, asked for a #1 goalie. They wanted management to bring in a true #1 and thus the reason for miller. They didnt want to run with Lack and Markstrom.
- anavar

Yep. That was what JB was saying at the start of the season. I guess it was his justification for signing Miller.

Maybe Lack should have said he wanted a better defence that didn't hang him out to dry. And forwards that scored more goals.

It is a bit surprising though, haven't thought goaltending has been an issue since before Lu was acquired.

The players that said this should take a look in the mirror. And Lack needs to score more.

Who's the GM, the Ikea brothers???
- VanHockeyGuy

Funny part is that I'm sure the core now wishes that money was used to keep Garrison or sign/trade for a top 6 F or 4 dman instead of a goalie with a .908SV% in his last 64 starts.

Exit interviews can be more of a lobbying effort on the players part.

Can't blame them-- If they are comfortable and the pay is good. They will say anything.

MGT had to take the players comments at face value.

After this year these players cannot hide.
- rugdnit

I guess Bieksa can't really come out and say we need more toughness, mobility and youth on our defense. It's easier to blame the goalies which ironically are the least of their worries.

I guess Bieksa can't really come out and say we need more toughness, mobility and youth on our defense. It's easier to blame the goalies which ironically are the least of their worries.
- VanHockeyGuy

Exactly.

Exit interviews can be more of a lobbying effort on the players part.

Can't blame them-- If they are comfortable and the pay is good. They will say anything.

MGT had to take the players comments at face value.

After this year these players cannot hide.
- rugdnit

I liked your comment in the Bruins thread

I guess those Bruins fans didn't see the Flames/Canucks series to see what isn't called charging?

Funny part is that I'm sure the core now wishes that money was used to keep Garrison or sign/trade for a top 6 F or 4 dman instead of a goalie with a .908SV% in his last 64 starts.
- Nucker101

Then the "core" is managing the team. If that's truly the case, it's a no brainer to blow this team up.

I guess Bieksa can't really come out and say we need more toughness, mobility and youth on our defense. It's easier to blame the goalies which ironically are the least of their worries.
- VanHockeyGuy

The problem with the Sedins as leaders is the rest of the team wants to play like them.

The Sedins deserve top line minutes, they are the most skilled and put up the points, but it seemed like such a contrast to compare the treatment of Kenins to the rest of the team.

Kenins gets sat for not hitting. Vey doesn't hit. Higgins doesn't, Matthias didn't. Edler seldom does. Hansen doesn't hit much anymore. It is like these guys are too good to hit, but when they aren't scoring, they are just skating around.

Where is the team identity? Play like the Sedins? There are only 2 of them on the team.

Then the "core" is managing the team. If that's truly the case, it's a no brainer to blow this team up.
- VanHockeyGuy

It is about accountability. If the core is running the show, make Henrik assistant gm.

Core players don't perform, switch up the supporting cast. Core players not performing, year after year, keep changing the supporting cast.

When the Sedins or Vrbata was asked about playing time and how they were used, they just shrugged and said it was up to the coach.

I hope the core with ntc's leave it up to JB to trade them as he sees fit.

The problem with the Sedins as leaders is the rest of the team wants to play like them.

The Sedins deserve top line minutes, they are the most skilled and put up the points, but it seemed like such a contrast to compare the treatment of Kenins to the rest of the team.

Kenins gets sat for not hitting. Vey doesn't hit. Higgins doesn't, Matthias didn't. Edler seldom does. Hansen doesn't hit much anymore. It is like these guys are too good to hit, but when they aren't scoring, they are just skating around.

Where is the team identity? Play like the Sedins? There are only 2 of them on the team.
- hillbillydeluxe

True, you nailed it. I also don't believe this team is as tight in the dressing room as they would like us to believe.

Then the "core" is managing the team. If that's truly the case, it's a no brainer to blow this team up.
- VanHockeyGuy

I don't think that is the case at all. Everyone in the organization should be able to give their input. Hence exit interviews. If JB and Linden listen or not thats up to them. Players opinions are important and if they take issue going with an inexperienced goalie I don't see a problem with that. Benning went for the best goalie available and got him. Price tag or not he made a decisive move as has most of the moves he made.

It is about accountability. If the core is running the show, make Henrik assistant gm.

Core players don't perform, switch up the supporting cast. Core players not performing, year after year, keep changing the supporting cast.

When the Sedins or Vrbata was asked about playing time and how they were used, they just shrugged and said it was up to the coach.

I hope the core with ntc's leave it up to JB to trade them as he sees fit.
- hillbillydeluxe

The only input we need from the Sedins is to "input" the (frank)ing puck in the net!!!

True, you nailed it. I also don't believe this team is as tight in the dressing room as they would like us to believe.
- VanHockeyGuy

Agreed. I don't think there's any problems, but you just don't see these guys going to war for each other after 2011.

The only input we need from the Sedins is to "input" the (frank)ing puck in the net!!!
- VanHockeyGuy

true dat!

I don't think that is the case at all. Everyone in the organization should be able to give their input. Hence exit interviews. If JB and Linden listen or not thats up to them. Players opinions are important and if they take issue going with an inexperienced goalie I don't see a problem with that. Benning went for the best goalie available and got him. Price tag or not he made a decisive move as has most of the moves he made.
- thundachunk

So I wonder what the core would like this year?

Team starts at the top. Good leaders listen and work with the people under them. It makes them better as group. Everyone is accountable.

So I wonder what the core would like this year?
- VanHockeyGuy

To be traded.

I don't think that is the case at all. Everyone in the organization should be able to give their input. Hence exit interviews. If JB and Linden listen or not thats up to them. Players opinions are important and if they take issue going with an inexperienced goalie I don't see a problem with that. Benning went for the best goalie available and got him. Price tag or not he made a decisive move as has most of the moves he made.
- thundachunk

Maybe Benning shouldn't have mentioned the exit interviews to justify the Miller signing. It was nice to hear the honesty but maybe he needs a little more arrogance. Who's running the team?

His reasons for making the decisions. own it.

So I wonder what the core would like this year?
- VanHockeyGuy

Team starts at the top. Good leaders listen and work with the people under them. It makes them better as group. Everyone is accountable.
- thundachunk

The core will never ask for change though. They may ask for new role players, but why would they want their friends or themselves to be moved? It's fine to listen to them when you're a contender but not when changes need to be made.

Agreed. I don't think there's any problems, but you just don't see these guys going to war for each other after 2011.
- Nucker101

Were you even watching this past season? Even the Sedins showed more grit and tenacity. The team I saw played for each other. I don't measure success by just a cup. I learned a lot about this team some good, some bad.

Were you even watching this past season? Even the Sedins showed more grit and tenacity. The team I saw played for each other. I don't measure success by just a cup. I learned a lot about this team some good, some bad.
- thundachunk

You know I watched.


That's easier to do during he regular season, I liked what I saw versus the Cali teams for sure. But this team got out-worked by the Flames and intimidated physically by one of the smallest/youngest teams in the playoffs. I'm bashing the role players more so than the Sedins. The Sedins should be playing their skill game, but the role players need to be providing energy and doing the dirty work, outside of Burrows I don't see that enough.

The core will never ask for change though. They may ask for new role players, but why would they want their friends or themselves to be moved? It's fine to listen to them when you're a contender but not when changes need to be made.
- Nucker101

Thats why teams have a GM too make the decisions players won't. So it didn't work this season. Now he will make moves. JB said he wouldn't hesitate to ask players to waive. He didn't with Garrison. I have faith he will.