Sorry but in this case if Kakko is pissed it's warranted. It's not about hand holding. Gallant isn't even trying to be accountable for his actions. What a chicken poop move to do it like that. Surprising that so many players speak so highly of him.

You do poop like this when you make a dumb decision and you don't want someone arguing and exposing your stupidity.
- JRR1285

So you don't think Gallant and Kakko have spoken sometime after game ended til now? If Kakko is pissed....good! Motivation to be better next season. Boo facking hoo.

Again.....if you think NHL coaches are sitting guys down in their office before game time to explain why they aren't playing...you are wrong. Those discussions are usually had in following practices, etc...not before game

So you don't think Gallant and Kakko have spoken sometime after game ended til now? If Kakko is pissed....good! Motivation to be better next season. Boo facking hoo.
- rrentz

Not just pissed. If I were him I would be wondering if the guy actually knows what he's doing. You scratch a member of the line that had the most consistent play in their run in favor of someone who is a fringe NHL player at best. I don't understand how people think Gallant's decision is defensible in anyway.

Do I think they win with Kakko in the lineup in game 6? Probably not, but Dryden (frank)ing Hunt is an absolute waste of a roster spot. What if the kid line had a great game with their backs against the wall? Instead they were broken up. Kakko could have played in another elimination game and gained more experience, instead he gets to watch from the sidelines.

So you don't think Gallant and Kakko have spoken sometime after game ended til now? If Kakko is pissed....good! Motivation to be better next season. Boo facking hoo.

Again.....if you think NHL coaches are sitting guys down in their office before game time to explain why they aren't playing...you are wrong. Those discussions are usually had in following practices, etc...not before game
- rrentz

I never said I think that's how it is. I think in this case Gallant made a dumb decision and the more details that come out the worse it sounds.

Not just pissed. If I were him I would be wondering if the guy actually knows what he's doing. You scratch a member of the line that had the most consistent play in their run in favor of someone who is a fringe NHL player at best. I don't understand how people think Gallant's decision is defensible in anyway.

Do I think they win with Kakko in the lineup in game 6? Probably not, but Dryden (frank)ing Hunt is an absolute waste of a roster spot. What if the kid line had a great game with their backs against the wall? Instead they were broken up. Kakko could have played in another elimination game and gained more experience, instead he gets to watch from the sidelines.
- JRR1285

Coaches don't give a hoot about a player gaining experience in an elimination game .

They want to win. He's the coach....He was loved by his players, by all accounts, and decided that Hunt might have something to offer. It's not like the other forwards did anything of note 5 on 5. Brad Richards was a Stanley Cup winner, and was benched by Torts for many playoff games. Duclair was benched by Florida.....on and on and on...It happens. It had ZERO effect on the game

I never said I think that's how it is. I think in this case Gallant made a dumb decision and the more details that come out the worse it sounds.
- JRR1285

at this point I'd be pretty shocked if Kakko isn't traded

this whole thing is a weird thing to come back from

I never said I think that's how it is. I think in this case Gallant made a dumb decision and the more details that come out the worse it sounds.
- JRR1285

Thats fine..you don't agree putting in Hunt over Kakko...Kind of agree, but WE don't know the underlying reasons, and never will.

Coaches don't give a hoot about a player gaining experience in an elimination game .

They want to win. He's the coach....He was loved by his players, by all accounts, and decided that Hunt might have something to offer. It's not like the other forwards did anything of note 5 on 5. Brad Richards was a Stanley Cup winner, and was benched by Torts for many playoff games. Duclair was benched by Florida.....on and on and on...It happens. It had ZERO effect on the game
- rrentz

Tortorella owned benching Richards and nobody could argue with his reasoning. Richards absolutely sucked that series. This is not the same.

If Gallant wanted to win he should have iced the best lineup.

Hunt played in 3 post season games and had not played since the Pittsburgh series I believe. Real solid move to put him in. What did he play, 7 mins in game 6?

Sorry but in this case if Kakko is pissed it's warranted. It's not about hand holding. Gallant isn't even trying to be accountable for his actions. What a chicken poop move to do it like that. Surprising that so many players speak so highly of him.

You do poop like this when you make a dumb decision and you don't want someone arguing and exposing your stupidity.
- JRR1285

I think what Ryan (and his more relevant personal experiences) is saying is that we fans are making a much bigger deal of this than it is.
I'm not defending the decision to sit him, I agree it was ridiculous. But, who is saying Kaapo was pissed? I haven't read that anywhere. I think we speculated that and ran with it. Let's just hope the kid takes it well and it fuels even harder training habits and a desire to make a statement next season.

Thats fine..you don't agree putting in Hunt over Kakko...Kind of agree, but WE don't know the underlying reasons, and never will.
- rrentz

I think I am more annoyed at how smug and arrogant Gallant seems to be coming across. I like a coach who is at least slightly more transparent. Give us something to understand the decisions that are made.

I think I am more annoyed at how smug and arrogant Gallant seems to be coming across. I like a coach who is at least slightly more transparent. Give us something to understand the decisions that are made.
- JRR1285

David Quinn used to answer every question honestly and was always willing to give the press all the answers

and right now he's unemployed

Haven't seen any reports that the Avs got "lucky" playing Nashville's second and third string goalie, knocked out Binnington and played a rookie goalie and then the oldest goalie in the league Mike Smith. Very fortunate for them

I think what Ryan (and his more relevant personal experiences) is saying is that we fans are making a much bigger deal of this than it is.
I'm not defending the decision to sit him, I agree it was ridiculous. But, who is saying Kaapo was pissed? I haven't read that anywhere. I think we speculated that and ran with it. Let's just hope the kid takes it well and it fuels even harder training habits and a desire to make a statement next season.
- Tonybere

I can agree that Kakko might not actually be pissed. But this reminds me of when they kept Hunt in the lineup over Kravtsov. Though I was fine with the decision at the time and still think Kravtsov was completely wrong. It can't feel good for anyone that gets bounced from the lineup by Hunt.

David Quinn used to answer every question honestly and was always willing to give the press all the answers

and right now he's unemployed
- jimbro83

I think somewhere between these two extremes would be nice.

I think I am more annoyed at how smug and arrogant Gallant seems to be coming across. I like a coach who is at least slightly more transparent. Give us something to understand the decisions that are made.
- JRR1285

He's just pissed NYR lost. He isn't a smug guy...Just gotta let this stuff breathe for a bit.

He's just pissed NYR lost. He isn't a smug guy...Just gotta let this stuff breathe for a bit.
- rrentz

I'm pretty pissed too despite the fact that they would likely get obliterated in the finals. I went into this post season with no expectations and when they got to the Conference Finals I got way too invested again.

I can agree that Kakko might not actually be pissed. But this reminds me of when they kept Hunt in the lineup over Kravtsov. Though I was fine with the decision at the time and still think Kravtsov was completely wrong. It can't feel good for anyone that gets bounced from the lineup by Hunt.
- JRR1285

Hunt was rested, he is fast, and gets in the corners and works...Sometimes inserting an energy guy in a lineup that seemed to lack energy can have a big time effect...In this case...it did not. When your team loses three in a row, something has to be changed.....Just be happy Gautier wasn't the guy put in the lineup

I'm pretty pissed too despite the fact that they would likely get obliterated in the finals. I went into this post season with no expectations and when they got to the Conference Finals I got way too invested again.
- JRR1285

I gotcha..Same here. You know dam well too that Point will slide right in a be ready for SCF...I hate how it always seems to work out for Tampa!

Hunt was rested, he is fast, and gets in the corners and works...Sometimes inserting an energy guy in a lineup that seemed to lack energy can have a big time effect...In this case...it did not. When your team loses three in a row, something has to be changed.....Just be happy Gautier wasn't the guy put in the lineup
- rrentz

I think I would have been more OK with that. I can't stand Hunt.

at this point I'd be pretty shocked if Kakko isn't traded

this whole thing is a weird thing to come back from
- jimbro83

Would definitely like to keep him. I believe caupano benched Anders lee in a game 7 years back

I think I would have been more OK with that. I can't stand Hunt.
- JRR1285

Well time to move on and get ready for a crazy off season and all the moves that will come.

Would definitely like to keep him. I believe caupano benched Anders lee in a game 7 years back
- nyrangers2

Have to agree. I really want Kakko to stick around.

Well time to move on and get ready for a crazy off season and all the moves that will come.
- rrentz

If they can get Nemeth off the payroll and somehow ice a forward group that does not include Hunt I will be ecstatic.

Have to agree. I really want Kakko to stick around.
- JRR1285

I am really getting the impression this is really only a story to outsiders.
I would be shocked if Kakko isn't still firmly in their long term plans.

Would definitely like to keep him. I believe caupano benched Anders lee in a game 7 years back
- nyrangers2

there's a lot of wingers here and on the way

it just feels to me like Kakko is gonna be moved and Kravtsov is going to get a chance to seize that spot

I feel like Lafreniere is gonna move to RW, Blais is gonna get 3rd line RW, the spots fill up fast

If they can get Nemeth off the payroll and somehow ice a forward group that does not include Hunt I will be ecstatic.
- JRR1285

Well, I think that is exactly what you'll see.
I suspect Hunt will still be a Ranger, but I hope we will see him in the line up much less frequently. Nemeth MUST be traded. Not just because he doesn't deserve a roster spot, but we NEED that cap space. Trade him and a 3rd for a 7th, I don't care. Just move him with no salary retained or returned.