I’m in agreement with you. I don’t think Quinn is to blame for the top 6 not scoring. But he should be held accountable for trying to find ways to get those two going this year. I don’t think that’s a fireable offense though.

He also should be changing up his system a bit. Needs to get them playing more north-south. They were one of the top teams in north-south stretch passes last year. This year has been the complete opposite. Every breakout is a 5 foot “safe” play.
- Bean_Dip

Certain defenseman who specialized in that no longer here. He wants them North-South, problem is that are playing East-West

This has no bearing on his play. The numbers show that on average 1 player per team in juniors has the ability to make it in the NHL. So, 95% of the players on the ice were not close to his level. Now, the worst player on the opposition is somewhere in his realm and all of them have more experience.
P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E.
- Tonybere

I am so not worried about Laf. Would I like to see more, yes, but he is also has to and is learning to play a 200-foot game. If there is a criticism, want to see him use the body more and go to dirty areas.

Didn’t think he would be generational. Small population that falls into that line. My expectation down the road was like Huberdeau. He still was the top player in the draft class. Will see if Byfield or Stutzle is better down the road.

Wrote this in my blog Sunday:

Mercogliano proposed the below lines when Chytil returns, could Blackwell be the 2020-21 version of Jesper Fast, playing up a line or two to provide cohesiveness? I would rather him play than Howden. Play Lemieux - Rooney - Gauthier as your fourth line, mix in PDG periodically and see where they land.

A top nine of Panarin-Zibanejad-Blackwell, Lafrenière-Strome-Kakko and Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich would enable Quinn to evenly distribute minutes, rather than rely on the top six to carry the burden. And for the fourth line, he'd have grinders such as Di Giuseppe, Howden, Julien Gauthier, Brendan Lemieux and Kevin Rooney to choose from.
- airjan23

Please get Kreider away from Zib

I am so not worried about Laf. Would I like to see more, yes, but he is also has to and is learning to play a 200-foot game. If there is a criticism, want to see him use the body more and go to dirty areas.

Didn’t think he would be generational. Small population that falls into that line. My expectation down the road was like Huberdeau. He still was the top player in the draft class. Will see if Byfield or Stutzle is better down the road.
- airjan23

I have noticed the lack here too, Jan. I attribute it to playing against men instead of teenagers. Hope I'm right, then it should take care of itself as he acclimates.

Certain defenseman who specialized in that no longer here. He wants them North-South, problem is that are playing East-West
- airjan23

You can say his name, Tony Deangelo

I have noticed the lack here too, Jan. I attribute it to playing against men instead of teenagers. Hope I'm right, then it should take care of itself as he acclimates.
- Tonybere

I have watched a couple of Ranger games and to me the problem is between his ears.
He is new to the league, everybody is bigger and faster than he expected, and is probably thinking to himself he needs to perform like a number 1 overall.
I think a good summer of training and some time in the AHL will get him to the right level.
He will be a good player. Not a McDavid/Matthews type, but very good.

I have watched a couple of Ranger games and to me the problem is between his ears.
He is new to the league, everybody is bigger and faster than he expected, and is probably thinking to himself he needs to perform like a number 1 overall.
I think a good summer of training and some time in the AHL will get him to the right level.
He will be a good player. Not a McDavid/Matthews type, but very good.
- Rang

I find it humorous that you mention Matthews in the same breath as McDavid. They're not comparable.

I find it humorous that you mention Matthews in the same breath as McDavid. They're not comparable.
- JRR1285

McDavid is from another planet

I find it humorous that you mention Matthews in the same breath as McDavid. They're not comparable.
- JRR1285

Matthews drafted a year later has more goals. Now I'm not going to argue McDavid isn't the better player ( He clearly is), but I don't think people realize how good Matthews is. He isn't as far back from McDavid as the crowd likes to think.

Matthews drafted a year later has more goals. Now I'm not going to argue McDavid isn't the better player ( He clearly is), but I don't think people realize how good Matthews is. He isn't as far back from McDavid as the crowd likes to think.
- mdw7413

but he's got a dirty sanchez mustache and i don't like it!

but he's got a dirty sanchez mustache and i don't like it!
- Mtlca66

Him and Crosby fighting it out for the worst stache

I just wonder why a lot of people seem to think Matthews is just a "really good" player.

Him and Crosby fighting it out for the worst stache

I just wonder why a lot of people seem to think Matthews is just a "really good" player.
- mdw7413

I agree (not about the stache's, Matthews' is WAY worse!).
I see a lot of Leaf games. Too many.
Matthews steals the puck like Panarin and scores like Zibby 2020. He's a much better all around player than I ever wanted to give him credit for.

Matthews drafted a year later has more goals. Now I'm not going to argue McDavid isn't the better player ( He clearly is), but I don't think people realize how good Matthews is. He isn't as far back from McDavid as the crowd likes to think.
- mdw7413

JRR is just in a i don't give a frank fighting mood

I agree (not about the stache's, Matthews' is WAY worse!).
I see a lot of Leaf games. Too many.
Matthews steals the puck like Panarin and scores like Zibby 2020. He's a much better all around player than I ever wanted to give him credit for.
- Tonybere

Yeah, I was going to ask for your honest opinion, since you have such love for the Leafs

JRR is just in a i don't give a frank fighting mood
- TPC

NHL.com lists Georgie and Kincaid as the goalies for tomorrow!
Side note, how the hell did I not realize until now that it's an afternoon game??

Friday nite after bowling, woodrord reserve and a smile...

Why did they move the game to 12:30 tomorrow. Was supposed to be a 7pm game. Was looking forward to watching tomorrow night

Why did they move the game to 12:30 tomorrow. Was supposed to be a 7pm game. Was looking forward to watching tomorrow night
- TPC

guess you need to start drinking at 8am.

NHL.com lists Georgie and Kincaid as the goalies for tomorrow!
Side note, how the hell did I not realize until now that it's an afternoon game??
- Tonybere

that's just one of those taxi squad maneuvers

Larry Brooks had an article the other day about the cap situation and taxi squad stuff and I ended up more confused than when I started

JRR is just in a i don't give a frank fighting mood
- TPC

You have no idea.

Every game that goes by, if Lafreniere continues to "struggle" the trolling will get worse and I will either be ahead of it or banned.

I find it humorous that you mention Matthews in the same breath as McDavid. They're not comparable.
- JRR1285

Matthews is WAY better defensively, and it's not even close.
McDavid is the best offensive player in the league because he plays faster than anyone else.
I'm not so sure I would trade Matthews even up for McDavid until he learns to play defense.

Matthews is WAY better defensively, and it's not even close.
McDavid is the best offensive player in the league because he plays faster than anyone else.
I'm not so sure I would trade Matthews even up for McDavid until he learns to play defense.
- Rang

no doubt, summer of 2024, Auston Matthews signs the highest UFA contract in NHL history

look at the first 20 games or so of Steven Stamkos career, he had the wrong coach at first


https://sports.yahoo.com/...lectedTable=0&season=2008

guess you need to start drinking at 8am.
- Mtlca66

Way ahead of you!!