Ben Shelley: Mathew Barzal and Kieffer Bellows participating in WHC

Getting back to Babcock. Toronto players hated him, Detroit players loved him and Lou doesn’t give a (frank) what Barzal individually thinks.

From the last blog:

This is the fear and how would Barzal react to this hire?
- ses111

I don't think Lou gives a crap what the players think and I doubt any of them influence his decisions. Also there have been reports that the players weren't complaining about Trotz in the exit interviews. Who knows if that's true or not.

Babcock sucks, fire lou

Getting back to Babcock. Toronto players hated him, Detroit players loved him and Lou doesn’t give a (frank) what Barzal individually thinks.

nyisles7

Go and ask Franzen, Chelios or Mike Commodore if they loved Babcock. I'm sure there were a lot more players on the Wings that hated him.

I hope the Islanders do hire Babcock...then maybe Barzal asks to be traded and ends up in Detroit

From the last blog:



I don't think Lou gives a crap what the players think and I doubt any of them influence his decisions. Also there have been reports that the players weren't complaining about Trotz in the exit interviews. Who knows if that's true or not.
- JimmyP

He does if it’s a majority.

Go and ask Franzen, Chelios or Mike Commodore if they loved Babcock. I'm sure there were a lot more players on the Wings that hated him.

I hope the Islanders do hire Babcock...then maybe Barzal asks to be traded and ends up in Detroit
- dcz28

You need more than Barzal

Domingue blows.

Domingue blows.
- streaks

Yeah, that was ugly. I was hoping for OT hockey.

Yeah, that was ugly. I was hoping for OT hockey.
- JimmyP

Rodriguez changed that game with an awful penalty

You need more than Barzal
- nyisles7

Yes but it is their biggest need and they have a lot of prospects for their left side defense which is their other biggest hole.


Problem is they have no top 6 center prospects really right now. It's quite possible that they end up drafting another winger or defenseman with their top pick again. Suter is a 3rd line center at best and i think Veleno is a 3rd line center also. This need has to be addressed by Yzerman if they ever hope to move forward and fight for the playoffs. Only Trocheck and Kadri kind of fit the age and need in this summer UFA market (if they even make it to market and want to play for the Wings). Other option would be to trade for someone. There was a rumor at the deadline that Yzerman made a fair offer for Barzal and at the time, i thought it was likely BS since i couldn't understand why the Islanders would even think about it (plus the fact that both Lou and Yzerman do not let anything leak). Now with Trotz being fired, i think that maybe Barzal wanted out because of Trotz and Lou decided to change the coach instead of trading Barzal. Obviously this is all speculation on my part but it does kind of makes sense when you think about it.

Rodriguez changed that game with an awful penalty
- Upstate_isles

Yes agreed, however I think the refs either call one on Lungren and Rodrigez or none there.

Domingue blows.
- streaks

Man on that last goal he did

So I get some OT elimination hockey after all

Yes but it is their biggest need and they have a lot of prospects for their left side defense which is their other biggest hole.


Problem is they have no top 6 center prospects really right now. It's quite possible that they end up drafting another winger or defenseman with their top pick again. Suter is a 3rd line center at best and i think Veleno is a 3rd line center also. This need has to be addressed by Yzerman if they ever hope to move forward and fight for the playoffs. Only Trocheck and Kadri kind of fit the age and need in this summer UFA market (if they even make it to market and want to play for the Wings). Other option would be to trade for someone. There was a rumor at the deadline that Yzerman made a fair offer for Barzal and at the time, i thought it was likely BS since i couldn't understand why the Islanders would even think about it (plus the fact that both Lou and Yzerman do not let anything leak). Now with Trotz being fired, i think that maybe Barzal wanted out because of Trotz and Lou decided to change the coach instead of trading Barzal. Obviously this is all speculation on my part but it does kind of makes sense when you think about it.
- dcz28

Barzals not available at this point.

Yes but it is their biggest need and they have a lot of prospects for their left side defense which is their other biggest hole.


Problem is they have no top 6 center prospects really right now. It's quite possible that they end up drafting another winger or defenseman with their top pick again. Suter is a 3rd line center at best and i think Veleno is a 3rd line center also. This need has to be addressed by Yzerman if they ever hope to move forward and fight for the playoffs. Only Trocheck and Kadri kind of fit the age and need in this summer UFA market (if they even make it to market and want to play for the Wings). Other option would be to trade for someone. There was a rumor at the deadline that Yzerman made a fair offer for Barzal and at the time, i thought it was likely BS since i couldn't understand why the Islanders would even think about it (plus the fact that both Lou and Yzerman do not let anything leak). Now with Trotz being fired, i think that maybe Barzal wanted out because of Trotz and Lou decided to change the coach instead of trading Barzal. Obviously this is all speculation on my part but it does kind of makes sense when you think about it.
- dcz28

That's an interesting speculation and certainly plausible. My guess is that there were a number of reasons for the firing, and not a single explanation. Lou and Barry have each had success in their careers. They seem like head-strong individuals with strong opinions about the hockey club, and it's easy to imagine them butting heads over lots of details about the team. Of course, with Lou's tight lips, we'll probably never know.

Now watch, with the Capitals eliminated in the first round, Laviolette will get fired, and the Capitals will re-hire Barry.

My take is Lou is responsible for not adding to the defensive core and taking a chance of veterans of this team to produce consistently when their past has indicated differently.

Tortz, could have shown more faith in the younger players like Wally, Bellows and Salo. Relying to heavy on the veteran core hurt him.

Lastly the players need to be held accountable.

Sorokin - B+. Would have gotten an A, but several games over played his position.
Varly - C. I do not care what anyone says he was not 100%.

Pullock - C. Needed to be more of a force.
Pelech - A. Showed just how valuable he is to this team.
Doberson - B+. Started to show what he can be to this team.
Mayfield - IC. Did not finish so an incomplete.
Chara - C. His grade is high because of his heart and sole. It is time.
Greene - C-. It is time to pass torch.

Lee B-. Inconsistent. As a Capt needs to lead his team better. Off year.
Barzal D. Inconsistent. Needs to grow more as a player.
Wally. B-. Inconsistent. Needs to produce more.

Bailey D. Time to move on from him. Too many mistakes not a top 6 forward.
Nelson A. Gained a lot of respect for Nelson and game last few years.
AB D. Has huge upside. NOT consistent.

Pariese C+. Trying to prove everyone wrong in beginning hurt him.
JGP C. Do not think his hand was fully healed.
Palmieri D. Do not think he was healthy this season at all.

Clutter C-. Just not that effective this year.
Casey D. Too many mental mistakes.
Martin D. Not an everyday player anymore.

Bellows B-. Showed signs of growth and upside.
Johnston B. Heart, Effort, and protected his team.
Salo B. Needs more of an opportunity and he will be top 4.

A lot of low grades from important players. This cannot be all on the coach. However I realize you cannot fire a team. But I think some player changes should have been made before releasing the coach.

Lastly, my take on why Trotz got let go, is Lou offered him an extension. He would not commit to the extension. Lou did not want to go into an important season with a lame duck coach so he released Trotz and to protect his image he stated the voice of change was needed. Thus not making its Trotz fault. The reason I believe this is that Lou stated it was a business decision and thatLou and Trotz have a good relationship.

The Barry firing was surprising but with Lou's history with coaches it should not be shocking. As it was mentioned, Barry is a great coach but his system takes a toll after a while and players right or wrong will be concerned with their offensive numbers. The new coach needs the team to play solid defense and at the same time have a good enough offense as well.
- ses111

The Devils perfected "The Trap" while Lou was in charge. I doubt he's worried about the players' offensive numbers.

The Devils perfected "The Trap" while Lou was in charge. I doubt he's worried about the players' offensive numbers.
- JohnScammo

100%

Lou's not worried but players today are different. Big offensive numbers means better contract. I want the team to win a Cup and they will not be able to win a Cup without an improved offense.
- ses111

Have to agree on all points on this one.

Hope Lou is not losing it. first he could of had Tarasenko for almost nothing, but thought he could out smart Doug Armstrong and second, how do you fire Barry Trotz when EVERYTHING WAS GOING AGAINST THE ISLANDERS THIS PAST SEASON?

Hope Lou is not losing it. first he could of had Tarasenko for almost nothing, but thought he could out smart Doug Armstrong and second, how do you fire Barry Trotz when EVERYTHING WAS GOING AGAINST THE ISLANDERS THIS PAST SEASON?
- IBleedBlu1

Lou please answer his call....

I don’t like Brayden Point after what he did to us the last two years in a row but he is a damn animal even trying to gut out what looks like a serious injury. Can’t believe I’m typing this but if that doesn’t inspire his teammates to finish this game and series off…

Bolts not even trying to score they are blocking everything and just getting it out

Edit that was a clinic

Fack the Leafs.

Maybe they will win the cup next July.