The puck wasn't simply "finding him"

He and Saad were playing very well together and creating space for each other

Kubilak had 0 shots after the 1st and Saads play and ice time dwindled. So then the 1st and 3rd line were eliminated by the Head Coach...in a lame excuse "get a line going"

2 games in and after both 1st periods he jumbled lines

AND, if he wants to do that - do it to start the period. I believe he began the switch a few minutes into the period and not the start- which jumbles lines even more

It was also good to see Gus lead the Dmen in ice time again
- PatShart

Am I to understand that you believe JC is not a good coach?

Am I to understand that you believe JC is not a good coach?
- mohel

Looks like Babcock will be available soon.

Looks like Babcock will be available soon.
- LAHawk

Sweet!

He must not have a system either, eh?

Am I to understand that you believe JC is not a good coach?
- mohel

And you believe he is? Based on?

The puck wasn't simply "finding him"

He and Saad were playing very well together and creating space for each other

Kubilak had 0 shots after the 1st and Saads play and ice time dwindled. So then the 1st and 3rd line were eliminated by the Head Coach...in a lame excuse "get a line going"

2 games in and after both 1st periods he jumbled lines

AND, if he wants to do that - do it to start the period. I believe he began the switch a few minutes into the period and not the start- which jumbles lines even more

It was also good to see Gus lead the Dmen in ice time again
- PatShart

playing well together was implied in my comment...also saad biffed a breakaway...
and kubalick had 2 golden chances with kane and he missed the net...so he did have shots just not shots on goal...

JC is no different than Q or any NHL coach; they all mix it up during a game to catalyze other guys or find some MO...

the criticism of line mixups is stale...its what coaches do good or bad...

Sweet!

He must not have a system either, eh?
- mohel

Spoken like someone who doesnt understand
team systems/structure and the importance of them

You are spot on that Seabrook and Maata- who have looked steady - basically are not playing the chase game JC wants which makes them look like the best pair. And that's why Keith is running around so much. Between having Gus in his wing, trying to chase/pressure the puck all over the boards - while trying to actually play REAL defense, wont help anyone.

I do think some people have the same mentality as JC. "Well if Keith, Toews, Crawford or Kane simply play better we would win this game" - when their HC is not putting them in positions to succeed. In fact, hes hindering it and the players are getting the blame
- PatShart

Is it possible that Seabrook and Maatta are the ones that are playing the system properly and the others are just train wrecks? Gus is notorious for being horrible defensively, and Keith has looked brutal individually this year. Then you had KK and Gilbert and KK with Murphy, neither of which are stellar. I'm seriously asking the question here.

And you believe he is? Based on?
- PatShart

Did I say that?

More pinning for the incomparable anisimov. Ridiculous considering our third line was great last night. We have bigger issues than dealing away a slumbering inconsistent veteran. Yet here we are lamenting the fact we let the big kahuna get away. How will we ever survive?

I think the next thing to look at is this coach. If he can’t rally the troops then he needs to be shown the door. Huge risk giving this guy the keys to the car as the Toews and others window starts to move toward closure. But at least “they are on the same page”!!

Q, babcock, stanbow's father, al arbour, George "Punch" Imlach couldn't win with this group...JC is not the problem...

Is it possible that Seabrook and Maatta are the ones that are playing the system properly and the others are just train wrecks? Gus is notorious for being horrible defensively, and Keith has looked brutal individually this year. Then you had KK and Gilbert and KK with Murphy, neither of which are stellar. I'm seriously asking the question here.
- Chunk

No, because those 2 arent chasing the puck all over the ice. Mostly because those 2 knowing they begin doing that, it would be a gong show with their lack of speed.

Keith played 10+ years in a defined system

Is now on the ice with 4 forwards and no structure

Other teams gameplan too. Especially good coaches like the 2 the Hawks faced already. They see what Keith is up against when on the ice with Gustafson. And they smartly drive the play to him knowing he has zero room for error

But of course, Keith now does not know how to play the game after being one of the best Dman in the world
- PatShart

Did you see Keith get walked 1 on 1 by Leblanc in the first period, who went by Keith almost untouched right up the middle? There is no system in the world that could prevent that. Keith of old, this would of never happened.

Q, babcock, stanbow's father, al arbour, George "Punch" Imlach couldn't win with this group...JC is not the problem...
- bogiedoc

Or he may be. The team looks poorly organized and poorly motivated. He is also making tactical errors. If you have a line that’s killing it don’t (frank)ing break it up. That’s peewee poop.

Saad is a better defensive forward than Smith but played the same amount of time

I think Marc Crawford is just sitting back watching/waiting in the weeds. He knows that it's only a matter of time before the JC's Hawks have their 9-10 game losing streak and the vultures will be circling
- PatShart

If he is, they need to fire him now.

Q, babcock, stanbow's father, al arbour, George "Punch" Imlach couldn't win with this group...JC is not the problem...
- bogiedoc

More like- JC, Alpo, Lorne, Dirk, Savard....all the same "coach"

Spoken like someone who doesnt understand
team systems/structure and the importance of them
- PatShart

I read here often that good players can't play well if the system stinks. Leafs have good players but are unhappy with the outcome so far. Fault of the coach's system. Simple.

Which one? The list is long! Kidding aside - the Anisimov/Smith trade was a fail in my book. Perhaps Joker for Nylander, too, although time will tell on that

Hope you're well, Savvy.
- mohel

Back at you Mo.
You're not kidding the list is long and we have long memories here.

I would not have given up on Joki and would have used other assets to acquire Nylander.

You know, I am really wondering -- not whether JC lost the room -- but ever had it. Happen to think that having a guy with NO bona fides trying to lead a team where several have already won 3 Cups, have won on the international stage, etc, etc. and have played and lived more hockey already than JC will likely do so in his lifetime might be a huge factor.

Blowman jumped the gun on his boy JC. I think that's the problem we're seeing.

Is it possible that Seabrook and Maatta are the ones that are playing the system properly and the others are just train wrecks? Gus is notorious for being horrible defensively, and Keith has looked brutal individually this year. Then you had KK and Gilbert and KK with Murphy, neither of which are stellar. I'm seriously asking the question here.
- Chunk

Not a chance - evidence contrary to the narrative must be ignored. Any good result MUST be that a player or two has gone rogue.

there is no mystery for the switch and nylander and kubalick:

nylander was floating and doing nothing; kubs was playing well and the puck was finding him

jc made the switch to get that top line going and it almost worked kubs and kane just missed on a couple set-ups...
- bogiedoc

You don’t break something to fix something else that’s broken.

I read here often that good players can't play well if the system stinks. Leafs have good players but are unhappy with the outcome so far. Fault of the coach's system. Simple.
- mohel

I dont think Babcock is as good coach of a coach as some claim he is so I'm not sure if you think I would defend him

But I'd take him as the Hawks coach right now

Back at you Mo.
You're not kidding the list is long and we have long memories here.

I would not have given up on Joki and would have used other assets to acquire Nylander.

You know, I am really wondering -- not whether JC lost the room -- but ever had it. Happen to think that having a guy with NO bona fides trying to lead a team where several have already won 3 Cups, have won on the international stage, etc, etc. and have played and lived more hockey already than JC will likely do so in his lifetime might be a huge factor.

Blowman jumped the gun on his boy JC. I think that's the problem we're seeing.
- savvyone-1

Very well could be right on JC and the room. I think that whatever happened in that room began to happen under Q.

Paging Dylan Sikura. Your table is ready.
Sikura to the rescue.
I'm sure that's the answer.
- savvyone-1

He'd help the PK

You don’t break something to fix something else that’s broken.
- scottak

If you were going to make a move wasn't Caggiula very effective with 19 and 88 last year?

If you were going to make a move wasn't Caggiula very effective with 19 and 88 last year?
- BetweenTheDots

Yes

No, because those 2 arent chasing the puck all over the ice. Mostly because those 2 knowing they begin doing that, it would be a gong show with their lack of speed.
- PatShart

So again, maybe that is the correct way to play the system and "chasing the puck" is not. Has Colliton said that is the system that he implemented? Again, I'm seriously asking the question as I can't find anything that says it is.