Has anyone noticed that every game they have almost no odd man rushes for? For a few of those first games I equated that to the other team playing well/trying to knock the rust off. But the more I watch them they never seem to be entering the neutral zone with speed and are not making any outlet passes/long stretch passes to spring the offense. I believe part/much of that has to do with the forwards playing that "close support" defense. Issue is they are not doing it well enough and it also neuters any kind of offense off the rush, at least from what I have been observing.

Yup, Quinn will get the axe if there is another 10 games of this. That would be my bet.

I blame the leadership of this team more than Quinn though. You watch Kreider, Zib, Trouba on the bench and in interviews, they sound like extremely low testosterone robots.


We need Fast back
- mdw7413

we definitely need somebody on the roster to do the things he used to do

Has anyone noticed that every game they have almost no odd man rushes for? For a few of those first games I equated that to the other team playing well/trying to knock the rust off. But the more I watch them they never seem to be entering the neutral zone with speed and are not making any outlet passes/long stretch passes to spring the offense. I believe part/much of that has to do with the forwards playing that "close support" defense. Issue is they are not doing it well enough and it also neuters any kind of offense off the rush, at least from what I have been noticing.
- JRR1285

Stop trying to coach JRR

Yup, Quinn will get the axe if there is another 10 games of this. That would be my bet.

I blame the leadership of this team more than Quinn though. You watch Kreider, Zib, Trouba on the bench and in interviews, they sound like extremely low testosterone robots.


We need Fast back
- mdw7413

Who else is going to be a leader though...JJ and Strome? There aren't really any other options

Has anyone noticed that every game they have almost no odd man rushes for? For a few of those first games I equated that to the other team playing well/trying to knock the rust off. But the more I watch them they never seem to be entering the neutral zone with speed and are not making any outlet passes/long stretch passes to spring the offense. I believe part/much of that has to do with the forwards playing that "close support" defense. Issue is they are not doing it well enough and it also neuters any kind of offense off the rush, at least from what I have been noticing.
- JRR1285

Yeah, its part of it. I mean you need the forwards helping out though. They just need to turn back up the ice quicker, get some quick outlets, etc. They all seem to be in slow motion though

Stop trying to coach JRR
- TPC

I'm not, just trying to figure out what the (frank) happened to a team that was so much faster and decisive with the puck. Why is almost every zone entry culminating in a soft dump and losing possession of the puck?

I'm not, just trying to figure out what the (frank) happened to a team that was so much faster and decisive with the puck. Why is almost every zone entry culminating in a soft dump and losing possession of the puck?
- JRR1285

Cause the players suck and we overrate our prospects

Who else is going to be a leader though...JJ and Strome? There aren't really any other options
- TPC

Yeah, thats what I'm saying. These guys need to nut the (frank) up and show some emotion. Although I like Mtl's idea. Sit the whole (frank)ing lot of them for 1 game and just let the kids play.

Yeah, its part of it. I mean you need the forwards helping out though. They just need to turn back up the ice quicker, get some quick outlets, etc. They all seem to be in slow motion though
- mdw7413

I know they were trying to implement this style last year but it looks markedly worse all around. I could deal with it a little more if they were playing stout defense but they blow most of the time. At least the actual defenseman do aside from Fox and Miller.

we definitely need somebody on the roster to do the things he used to do
- jimbro83

Definitely don't want to go down this rabbit hole again, but the Fast supporters have something to say:

Cause the players suck and we overrate our prospects
- TPC

You don't want to see me in the black hole of despair you are trying to put me in.

I'm not, just trying to figure out what the (frank) happened to a team that was so much faster and decisive with the puck. Why is almost every zone entry culminating in a soft dump and losing possession of the puck?
- JRR1285

I really don't know what happened to those guys who were playing in that game that Zib scored 5 goals

maybe these guys can't play without fans I don't know

You don't want to see me in the black hole of despair you are trying to put me in.
- JRR1285

It's like DQ is trying to get them to play a system where they read each others minds and play this super fancy hybrid defensive coverage. Maybe go back to something simple that doesn't require psychic powers.

It's like DQ is trying to get them to play a system where they read each others minds and play this super fancy hybrid defensive coverage. Maybe go back to something simple that doesn't require psychic powers.
- JRR1285

Especially cause I think Kreider can only understand Skate, shoot, score

Last night was the most frustrating loss thus far. The other 3 in a row they played very well and just didn’t win.

I know it’s hard to accept it, but we gotta be patient. There is no doubt the skill and talent level on this team is through the roof. It just hasn’t come together yet, or clicked.

Reading this board it’s like the Lindros days they are in their infancy with this team. We will look back on this past week or so and just laugh at ourselves for panicking

Miller looks phenomenal. Fox is amazing. And Kakko looks a lot better.

Last night was the most frustrating loss thus far. The other 3 in a row they played very well and just didn’t win.

I know it’s hard to accept it, but we gotta be patient. There is no doubt the skill and talent level on this team is through the roof. It just hasn’t come together yet, or clicked.

Reading this board it’s like the Lindros days they are in their infancy with this team. We will look back on this past week or so and just laugh at ourselves for panicking

Miller looks phenomenal. Fox is amazing. And Kakko looks a lot better.
- Slimtj100

But the main issue is the vets not performing. They aren't kids anymore and are established players. They shouldn't be sucking this much.

It's like DQ is trying to get them to play a system where they read each others minds and play this super fancy hybrid defensive coverage. Maybe go back to something simple that doesn't require psychic powers.
- JRR1285

Yup, this sums up the system perfectly. It's a conservative entry that leans heavily into the back check.

And the defensive system is even worse. They're playing a collapsing box +1, a totally useless system that is REALLY easy to beat (just play the triangle until someone gets a wide open net). This essentially makes it impossible for the wingers to get up ice and behind the other teams defenders because they're sucked in to the defensive zone.

But the main issue is the vets not performing. They aren't kids anymore and are established players. They shouldn't be sucking this much.
- Mtlca66

I think the vets underperforming is no longer masking the inherent flaws in the coaching "system".

Yup, this sums up the system perfectly. It's a conservative entry that leans heavily into the back check.

And the defensive system is even worse. They're playing a collapsing box +1, a totally useless system that is REALLY easy to beat (just play the triangle until someone gets a wide open net). This essentially makes it impossible for the wingers to get up ice and behind the other teams defenders because they're sucked in to the defensive zone.
- Bean_Dip

I've been saying this for a bit now. They need to get back to basics of hockey. Basic break outs, basic neutral zone transition, basic forecheck....and so on. Basics with hard work and build up from there. The Rangers players are talented and look like they are trying to implement Step 3 before knowing Step 1 like the back of their hand. Then they give up when down.

Especially cause I think Kreider can only understand Skate, shoot, score
- TPC

And smash other player*

And smash other player*
- JRR1285

lol Kreider smash

Yup, this sums up the system perfectly. It's a conservative entry that leans heavily into the back check.

And the defensive system is even worse. They're playing a collapsing box +1, a totally useless system that is REALLY easy to beat (just play the triangle until someone gets a wide open net). This essentially makes it impossible for the wingers to get up ice and behind the other teams defenders because they're sucked in to the defensive zone.
- Bean_Dip

They're also not adapting on the fly. When I hear them repeat "sticking to the system" or "play their game" it makes me rage out. You're (frank)ing system sucks, ADAPT/ADJUST do (frank)ing something.

They should all shave and cut their hair. Start fresh. Maybe Zib needs less insulation.

But the main issue is the vets not performing. They aren't kids anymore and are established players. They shouldn't be sucking this much.
- Mtlca66

That’s why I’m not worried. We know how good they are. For whatever reason they’re struggling.

I would also say this about Quinn, and it drives me and all of us batty im sure. He is so quick to change the lines up. Like literally 5 minutes into the game, he’s switched it up. You can’t build chemistry with players if you keep playing with different ones, seemingly on a shift by shift basis. Roll 4 lines, the SAME 4 lines for 3-4-5 games in a row. He refuses to do that.

Look Bergeron and Marchand, they are amazing because they’ve played together for probably a decade now. Same with McKinnon and Rantanen. Lee Barzal Eberle, same thing. He has to let his stars get chemistry. It’s very aggravating