St Louis isn’t moving Pietrangelo. I’m not sure what a possible deal would or could like. These things just rarely happen and are very difficult to do.
- BiggE

You know who I wanted last year and I thought would help because he was a vet guy that could play all situations...Dion Phaneuf. I know he has a rap about him but I thought with the young defense he would be a huge help because he can play big minutes and take some pressure of guys like Provorov and Gostisbehere.

One of the reasons I like Ryan if Ottawa takes 3 million is we can buy him out right before an expansion draft and We wont be on the hook for too much. Just looking for a culture change as well.

Then again a Simmonds for Panarin deal straight up is tempting.
- youarewrong

Yes it is. I also think that a Weise for McDavid deal straight up is tempting as well.

This is what concerns me. Have they tuned Hak out? If that is the case, a major trade or a coaching change are really the only options.
- BiggE

If that is the case then the onus needs to fall directly on the players. By all accounts this is not a Bill Barber situation where the players were just out there freewheeling because Barber had no plan and no communication.

Hak has a plan.

I dont know, maybe this group needs a Hitchcock, Torts, Keenan type coach to torture these guys in to competing every night for 60.

Exactly! The core of this team has been here since Hak started. It’s hard to understand that so many guys don’t know what their job defensively is and where they are supposed to be.
Seems like their is not much accountability and players don’t want to do what it takes to play defense. Unless your a rookie or young player guys aren’t scratched or benched during games.

Poopty goaltending aside the quality of dangerous scoring chances is appalling.
- bird_dog_pa

But they do. They played solid team defense in games against Vegas, a very good speedy team. This is why I feel it is more on the players then Hakstol. I think this is going to be something Hextall needs to address. Something just seems off and maybe it's your core.

This is where I was kind of thinking. Can Voracek get you Pietrangelo? I know Provorov is supposed to be our true number one but maybe they need more of a vet type guy. I know we have vets like Gudas and MacDonald but maybe they need a legit number one to help this young defense.
- J35Bacher

No way I move Voracek. He is way too important to the PP and I dont understand why people are pooping on him. He creates so much space out there no matter who he is playing with.

No way I move Voracek. He is way too important to the PP and I dont understand why people are pooping on him. He creates so much space out there no matter who he is playing with.
- youarewrong

This will get me crucified but i kind of think Voracek is overrated. Yes I know he is good. But I can also think he is overrated.

I'm all over the place this morning. Disappointing performance. I don't mind losing but this is basic stuff. Our D corp is not as deep as we thought and our team d is ridiculous. And we are not getting average NHL goaltending.

We will score and Patrick and JvR will add to that. But forwards need to be more responsible.

Are we to believe that AMac and Nuevy are our saviors?

I've been on the fence regarding Hak and I'm starting to slide off. To the bad side. But to fire him mid-season might not be the best route. Yes it sends a clear message to the team and fan base that this garbage isn't good enough. But who replaces him? One of the assistants? Gordon from LHV? Short term moves at best. If there is an NHL caliber coach out there, I would support a change mid-year.

Alain Vigneault, anyone?

I think I just need a hug...

If that is the case then the onus needs to fall directly on the players. By all accounts this is not a Bill Barber situation where the players were just out there freewheeling because Barber had no plan and no communication.

Hak has a plan.

I dont know, maybe this group needs a Hitchcock, Torts, Keenan type coach to torture these guys in to competing every night for 60.
- MBFlyerfan

Iron Mike or someone like him - yes! This group needs some discipline. This core has run amuk for a few years and need a "bad cop" for at least a year to instill some responsibility into them.

This Flyers haven't had a goaltender in 30 year lazy narrative is getting old.
One stud after another in between the pipes.

Yes it is. I also think that a Weise for McDavid deal straight up is tempting as well.
- jmatchett383

Matthews is just as good...id rather have him

If that is the case then the onus needs to fall directly on the players. By all accounts this is not a Bill Barber situation where the players were just out there freewheeling because Barber had no plan and no communication.

Hak has a plan.

I dont know, maybe this group needs a Hitchcock, Torts, Keenan type coach to torture these guys in to competing every night for 60.
- MBFlyerfan

Yup, something needs to give, that's for sure. I guarantee you, if Keenan was the coach and Jake dogged on backchecking, Iron Mike would have his ass stapled to the bench for the rest of the game.

Matt Read playing on the Wild's top line tonight. Good for him.

Matt Read playing on the Wild's top line tonight. Good for him.
- cdearth23

not now cdearth23, we can't take another former flyer thriving once they leave!

Matt Read playing on the Wild's top line tonight. Good for him.
- cdearth23

So basically the Wild blow too?

Yup, something needs to give, that's for sure. I guarantee you, if Keenan was the coach and Jake dogged on backchecking, Iron Mike would have his ass stapled to the bench for the rest of the game.
- BiggE

Keenan had all of the Rangers hating his guts up to the Stanley Cup parade. Hell, didn't he bench Gretzky and Hull once?

not now cdearth23, we can't take another former flyer thriving once they leave!
- YuenglingJagr

Oh, it's inevitable!! Reader will be lifting the Cup soon enough.

Caught some of the Wild game the other night and they have a very veteran line-up. Not sure how they were predicted to finish but they might be tough come playoff time.

So basically the Wild blow too?
- BiggE

Yup, something needs to give, that's for sure. I guarantee you, if Keenan was the coach and Jake dogged on backchecking, Iron Mike would have his ass stapled to the bench for the rest of the game.
- BiggE

tough to do now for Hakstol with the precedent that has been set. You would think someone that gets benched could handle it, but who knows. I never understood why only rookies could learn anything by not playing.

This team only seems to care when they need to so I'd imagine that will start pretty soon

Matthews is just as good...id rather have him
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah, but if it's Matthews, it would probably have to be Folin for him straight up since Toronto needs D.

Oh, it's inevitable!! Reader will be lifting the Cup soon enough.

Caught some of the Wild game the other night and they have a very veteran line-up. Not sure how they were predicted to finish but they might be tough come playoff time.
- cdearth23

The Wild are a good team every year, but they never really seem threatening, kind of like the entire state of Minnesota. Like, yes, they're good, but there's never any pop to them. You always forget that they even exist until you play against them, then you realize that they're good, and then you forget about them two days later.

Yeah, but if it's Matthews, it would probably have to be Folin for him straight up since Toronto needs D.
- jmatchett383

I read that as Mrs Matthews needs D

tough to do now for Hakstol with the precedent that has been set. You would think someone that gets benched could handle it, but who knows. I never understood why only rookies could learn anything by not playing.

This team only seems to care when they need to so I'd imagine that will start pretty soon
- YuenglingJagr

Tjme for Hak to bring the pain. If he isn’t going to bench the drifters veterans or not, bag skate them till they puke or put someone like Voracek on popcorn duty in the owners suite for a game then he needs to go. The coach can’t let these types of games keep happening.

I'm really trying not to panic because it seems we always start out slow but man its getting tiresome. We all get so excited in the summer and preseason and it just seems we are always let down with rocky starts. We are just so wildly inconsistent. I'm also trying not to really panic because we only got 2 games of our "full" or optimized roster. Missing JVR and NP are hurting us, and hell after the first game against Vegas, I don't think we'd be sitting here in doom and gloom mode. But here we are. It is still early where we can turn it around but if this god awful goaltending is the most consistent thing on this team we are in for a very long season. There a few bright spots so far with certain players, but the bad is outweighing the good such as goaltending and TEAM-defense (not solely limiting it to our D-men). I really hope Provy can get over this funk soon because we could use his stud form badly right now. If we are going to have a poor season though, I really wish we would just scratch the Weise, Knight, Lehtera bullpoop and let some younger guys play. I know its good to have the young guys get ample time in the AHL but what is really the difference in losing with rookies making mistakes or "reliable vets" making the mistakes.

I read that as Mrs Matthews needs D
- YuenglingJagr

Mrs. Matthews is entitled to all the D she wants.

Sadly, both Hainsey and Marleau are both married, so none of his teammates can date his mom, which would have given the Leafs a perfect chance to make a tear-jerker, two-star sports championship movie.

"Alright Patrick...I know we've had our difference, but if you make this shot and we win the Cup, you can marry my mom."

I'm really trying not to panic because it seems we always start out slow but man its getting tiresome. We all get so excited in the summer and preseason and it just seems we are always let down with rocky starts. We are just so wildly inconsistent. I'm also trying not to really panic because we only got 2 games of our "full" or optimized roster. Missing JVR and NP are hurting us, and hell after the first game against Vegas, I don't think we'd be sitting here in doom and gloom mode. But here we are. It is still early where we can turn it around but if this god awful goaltending is the most consistent thing on this team we are in for a very long season. There a few bright spots so far with certain players, but the bad is outweighing the good such as goaltending and TEAM-defense (not solely limiting it to our D-men). I really hope Provy can get over this funk soon because we could use his stud form badly right now. If we are going to have a poor season though, I really wish we would just scratch the Weise, Knight, Lehtera bullpoop and let some younger guys play. I know its good to have the young guys get ample time in the AHL but what is really the difference in losing with rookies making mistakes or "reliable vets" making the mistakes.
- arichardson22

With the "reliable" vets, you know that they're going to keep making the mistakes, which is apparently okay.

With the kids, they may or may not make mistakes, which apparently is NOT okay.