I was looking at the Islanders roster in 2016/17, they had a bunch of firepower, 10th in GF but 23rd in GA. This was under Jack Capuano as their coach. No playoffs.

Then in 2017/18 Doug Weight takes over and they again have a terrible GA finishing last in the league, even though they finished near the top of the league in GF (8th). Again, no playoffs.

So in 2018/19 Trotz takes over, that year they finish first in GA allowing a league best 196 goals against. So he takes a younger roster with rookie Barzal, young players Beauvillier, Pulock, Nelson, etc. into the second round of the playoffs by simply instilling sound defensive play.

Last year they were top ten again in GA and went into the Conference Finals of the playoffs with a less than All-Star lineup.

We need a better coach!!
- Pacificgem

They are also -5 in GF /GA this year with three wins and in second last place in their division.

The new Titleist stuff is really pretty, love it, I just don't hit the woods as far as the Callaway's. The face on the Callaway's seem much hotter?

I have the Mavrik 3-wood, love it, going to upgrade my driver from the old GBB Epic to the Mavrik driver. Skipped the "flash" driver and I'll wait for the reviews on the new "Speed" driver.
- Pacificgem

Ya that's been the knock on Titleist for awhile but these new ones tested well. Right there with the Mavrik and the M2 3 woods for length and consistency off the grass.

I agree the Mavrik 3 wood was the way to go over the Flash 3 wood but I found it's the other way around with the Drivers. Hit the Flash waaay better and was consistently about 5 yards longer. I bought the Flash and passed on the Mavrik but you might have different results. I swapped in my old XR16 pro Speeder shaft on the Flash and hit it better than the stock Tensei blue lol go figure. Shot 5 times in the 70's this season with the flash off the tee haven't played that good in 15 years. Pretty sure the better ball had something to do with it too. Titleist left dash Prov1x.

I'll be trying the Epic 'Max' at demo days as I like the adjustable weight in the back but really it's the 3 wood that needs replacing...done all I can with the 5 year old XR16 which is a damn fine 3 wood in it's own right.

I was looking at the Islanders roster in 2016/17, they had a bunch of firepower, 10th in GF but 23rd in GA. This was under Jack Capuano as their coach. No playoffs.

Then in 2017/18 Doug Weight takes over and they again have a terrible GA finishing last in the league, even though they finished near the top of the league in GF (8th). Again, no playoffs.

So in 2018/19 Trotz takes over, that year they finish first in GA allowing a league best 196 goals against. So he takes a younger roster with rookie Barzal, young players Beauvillier, Pulock, Nelson, etc. into the second round of the playoffs by simply instilling sound defensive play.

Last year they were top ten again in GA and went into the Conference Finals of the playoffs with a less than All-Star lineup.

We need a better coach!!
- Pacificgem

Maybe if you’re making a Bolognese sauce and you want to use a whole bottle for cooking, but my general rule is never cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink.

Let’s all agree to drink more Tasmanian Pinot Noir this week!
- 1970vintage

Good?

If tonight's game is any indication of last night, I think a lot of it should rely heavily on TG and staff. I am trying to understand the lack of push back last night. If you are getting poop kicked like we were, send someone out to fight, hit, tackle, insult, swear, spit. I don't know do something. The Canucks were out there playing as if they were winning the game, even after the time-out they demonstrated absolutely nothing.

This is also being saved, I'll remind you when we disagree in 5 years
- Pres.cup

Sounds good.

- Pacificgem

The hate today needs to ramp up to match yesterday's

Despite Benning's excellent top end draft picks I sincerely wish he'd have actually tried to rebuild instead of trying to be competitive and then tanking at seasons end. If he would've tried to get more draft picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds my assumption is you'd be starting to see some of those picks filter into the lineup as the Sutter's, Beagle's, Roussel's are about to leave.

As to your original question, Benning's done an excellent job of adding top end talent via the draft, so we're in a much better situation obviously than we were six years ago. I think he's hit a plateau though.
- Pacificgem

I agree on both points, but ownership was still under the impression the twins could keep us competitive, any GM coming in had to try. In a way, we are lucky the twins couldn't keep us in the playoffs beyond the 2015 season.

Thumbs way up. Hopefully Booner will take me down a notch over it too.
- 1970vintage

That's the dream isn't it!

It's time to bring back Gilles

#neckbeard
- Pres.cup

That would be the biggest mistake ownership could make at this time. Gillis was not a very good GM. He had 1 really good trade(trumped by the Miller trade) and a couple decent acquisitions(trumped by the Schmidt trade). People point out to adding Hamhuis, but that guy was 100% going to be a Canuck. He took arguably the best core in the NHL and we only made it passed the 2nd round once.

A good GM would have built a team that remained relevant right up to the twins retiring, with them taking a back seat after 2013.

Chill Pill Loady.

Grab a pizza and get Vintsy to recommend a decent bottle of wine.

Apothic Red?

lol
- LordHumungous

Did we teleport back to the late 1980's?

My Wife was raised a devout wino, with her parents having a decent sized cellar. I can't drink more than a couple of small glasses before passing out, so I'll occasionally nip a glass off what she brings home. Maybe I'll hit the Palm Bays instead.

Slow cooked stew tonight that I've been cooking overnight. I'll take that over pizza. Maybe Vintsy has a pairing for that.

I agree on both points, but ownership was still under the impression the twins could keep us competitive, any GM coming in had to try. In a way, we are lucky the twins couldn't keep us in the playoffs beyond the 2015 season.
- Retinalz

I don't disagree about needing a new coach but his example was not a good one.

Their team has less wins than ours , a higher GA/GF number . They have severe cap issues next year. Players bought out , buried in the minors and LTIR just like Canucks. They have just signed their third line center for 6 years at 5 mil. Their fourth line players Komorov and Clutterbuck make 3 and 3.5 like Beagle and Roussel.

Good?
- LordHumungous

Like everything, can be, or not.

Cool climate, so more like French Pinot than American.

The hate today needs to ramp up to match yesterday's
- Pres.cup

I think I'm doing pretty well so far for a bipolar Tuesday. I'll save the hate for game time.

Did we teleport back to the late 1980's?

My Wife was raised a devout wino, with her parents having a decent sized cellar. I can't drink more than a couple of small glasses before passing out, so I'll occasionally nip a glass off what she brings home. Maybe I'll hit the Palm Bays instead.

Slow cooked stew tonight that I've been cooking overnight. I'll take that over pizza. Maybe Vintsy has a pairing for that.
- Load Management

Slow cooked stew very nice I'm sure Vintsy can recommend a killer pairing for that.

I'm finding many of the under $20 bottles that used to be staples are suffering pretty bad right now.

Last time we had Stew I bought that one from Spain Vintsy recommended the Juan Jil Jumilla 2017 it's bloody outstanding for the money but I haven't had it in awhile so not sure the newer vintages are the same.

I don't disagree about needing a new coach but his example was not a good one.

Their team has less wins than ours , a higher GA/GF number . They have severe cap issues next year. Players bought out , buried in the minors and LTIR just like Canucks. They have just signed their third line center for 6 years at 5 mil. Their fourth line players Komorov and Clutterbuck make 3 and 3.5 like Beagle and Roussel.
- VANTEL

I was responding to his statement that Benning should have rebuilt instead of retooling. Not regarding the difference between Nucks and Isles.

I don't disagree about needing a new coach but his example was not a good one.

Their team has less wins than ours , a higher GA/GF number . They have severe cap issues next year. Players bought out , buried in the minors and LTIR just like Canucks. They have just signed their third line center for 6 years at 5 mil. Their fourth line players Komorov and Clutterbuck make 3 and 3.5 like Beagle and Roussel.
- VANTEL

you're talking about an eight game sample as oppose to a 150+ game sample. It's a perfect example of how coaching can influence a team.

The cap you mention is just fluff, it's inconsequential to how coaches coach teams.

Like everything, can be, or not.

Cool climate, so more like French Pinot than American.
- 1970vintage

Cool thx will check it.

Oh how I miss attending games during all of these HHOF careers

If I put in 33 mins now do I have to watch the game?

I think I'm doing pretty well so far for a bipolar Tuesday. I'll save the hate for game time.
- Load Management

Slow cooked stew very nice I'm sure Vintsy can recommend a killer pairing for that.

I'm finding many of the under $20 bottles that used to be staples are suffering pretty bad right now.

Last time we had Stew I bought that one from Spain Vintsy recommended the Juan Jil Jumilla 2017 it's bloody outstanding for the money but I haven't had it in awhile so not sure the newer vintages are the same.
- LordHumungous

Thanks, I'm about to hit the kit for a session to get rid of the rest of my angst. I'll peek in to see what they have based on what you guys come up for me. Appreciate you guys sharing your expertise.

Thanks, I'm about to hit the kit for a session to get rid of the rest of my angst. I'll peek in to see what they have based on what you guys come up for me. Appreciate you guys sharing your expertise.

- Load Management

Hit that kit man...what are you playing right now? Tom Sawyer?? Been practising on my new acoustic nice to have a well built guitar for a change.

you're talking about an eight game sample as oppose to a 150+ game sample. It's a perfect example of how coaching can influence a team.

The cap you mention is just fluff, it's inconsequential to how coaches coach teams.
- Pacificgem

I don't think they are any further ahead than us and I definitely don't think they are going to be a threat.

That would be the biggest mistake ownership could make at this time. Gillis was not a very good GM. He had 1 really good trade(trumped by the Miller trade) and a couple decent acquisitions(trumped by the Schmidt trade). People point out to adding Hamhuis, but that guy was 100% going to be a Canuck. He took arguably the best core in the NHL and we only made it passed the 2nd round once.

A good GM would have built a team that remained relevant right up to the twins retiring, with them taking a back seat after 2013.
- Retinalz

I'll bite.

Burrows 4x2m
Erhoff
Luongo resign was worth it until the rules changed, not his fault.

He was the best, most successful gm in our history, everything was great about him except drafting.

He resigned all his players to great term and money. He won us not one but two presidents trophies and a game 7 final.

He traded bust goalie for the best 10ov draft pick which he used on our current captain as well as finding elite unrated players like Tanev.

Created a winning culture that attracted top end free agents like hamhuis and Manny. Turned AV from a mediocre defence coach into a perennial jack Adam's candidate and winner.

Best GM ever, we don't need to worry about drafting anymore, the cupboards are full, it's time to bring in a gm wood not afraid to trade all our draft picks for UFA stars and to take us over the line for another presidents cup!

Now the time before Benning handcuffs us with more high end drafted talent that were gonna need to overpay to retain.

It's Gillis time!