I have to think Lou has a lot of say.

I’ve always been a fan of teams having more young players. Just because some young players did not work out for whatever reason, I’m not giving up on the idea of young players. Lots of advantages like the Cap, less injuries, and more upside.
- ses111

Wally’s young and was injured last year.
Also will disagree on a young player having more upside. Some young players never touch NHL ice. Some have a cup of coffee and some as you say get their chance and stick.
If anyone had the answer on which draft choices ( other than the obvious ones ) make it then every team would want that person on their payroll. Probably the toughest process in the sport. When drafted most are immature kids and it’s tough to know which ones will grow into a true NhL pro.

I said it 2 weeks ago. This team for me has lost its Chemistry and identity.
It’s not because of Mayfield or any single player. Hell, I saw some remarks on twitter that sOrOkin needs to be better given up 4 plus goals, WHAT?!
This team doesn’t play team defense, doesn’t hit and isn’t a hard team to play against anymore. What changed. Again it isn’t one or two bad player or signing I think it’s the system they are playing which falls on the coach.
- nyisles7

If the coach is so bad, what is Lou waiting on? Better to act now than later.

Wally’s young and was injured last year.
Also will disagree on a young player having more upside. Some young players never touch NHL ice. Some have a cup of coffee and some as you say get their chance and stick.
If anyone had the answer on which draft choices ( other than the obvious ones ) make it then every team would want that person on their payroll. Probably the toughest process in the sport. When drafted most are mature kids and it’s tough to know which ones will grow into a true NhL pro.
- nyisles7

I agree 1000% on the draft and it’s why I do not give GM’s a lot of heat unless they pass on a sure fire pick. Drafting these 18 year kids is very difficult. I’ve gotten more on Lou on his UFA signings and roster decisions.

The flip side of that is they blow leads quicker then any other team in the NHL.
- Cptmjl

I read that quickly and had to go back and look at it again.

Oh lEads, right. Not the other thing I saw at first.

If the coach is so bad, what is Lou waiting on? Better to act now than later.
- ses111

100% I agree. I/We don’t know if Lou is looking as we speak. If it were me it would have been done already. I say this seeing the team making bad undisciplined plays over and over again that we just didn’t see under Trotz. I mean Brenden Burke is pointing out the other teams being wide open in the soft slot continually in broadcasts. Just ridiculous!
Also when Lane comes on and says this isn’t a trend? WHAT?
If Lou sticks with this coach it will be his demise imho. But then again WTF do I know.

I said it 2 weeks ago. This team for me has lost its Chemistry and identity.
It’s not because of Mayfield or any single player. Hell, I saw some remarks on twitter that sOrOkin needs to be better giving up 4 plus goals in games, WHAT?!
This team doesn’t play team defense, doesn’t hit and isn’t a hard team to play against anymore. What changed. Again it isn’t one or two bad player or signing I think it’s the system they are playing which falls on the coach.
- nyisles7

Unfortunately I think it's just a perfect storm of incompetence. As I said the other night, I think there are several players on the team who just don't have great hockey IQs. Players who complained about Barry's system argued that it was mindless and boring for them. So for a high IQ player, it may have been just that, but it was also sound in that it could mask the mental shortcomings of others. Ultimately what it did was it created cohesion between all the players, smart, dumb or in between.

Lane's system exposes all of those shortcomings. I think the majority of issues are indeed system-caused, but unfortunately there are also just fundamental brain farts happening regularly that should not occur regardless of the system. It was comical last night watching both Pulock and Romanov go down on one knee to prevent the pass from one Devils player to another on a routine 2 on 2. There's NO way that should happen in the NHL (I think Butchie pointed it out).

The terrible communication and lack of awareness is key. A strict system like Barry's can lessen the damage there, but it's still going to prevent success no matter who is coaching. That said, step one to improving it has to be axing Lane

Unfortunately I think it's just a perfect storm of incompetence. As I said the other night, I think there are several players on the team who just don't have great hockey IQs. Players who complained about Barry's system argued that it was mindless and boring for them. So for a high IQ player, it may have been just that, but it was also sound in that it could mask the mental shortcomings of others. Ultimately what it did was it created cohesion between all the players, smart, dumb or in between.

Lane's system exposes all of those shortcomings. I think the majority of issues are indeed system-caused, but unfortunately there are also just fundamental brain farts happening regularly that should not occur regardless of the system. It was comical last night watching both Pulock and Romanov go down on one knee to prevent the pass from one Devils player to another on a routine 2 on 2. There's NO way that should happen in the NHL (I think Butchie pointed it out).

The terrible communication and lack of awareness is key. A strict system like Barry's can lessen the damage there, but it's still going to prevent success no matter who is coaching. That said, step one to improving it has to be axing Lane
- keaner17

All good points Keaner. On the hockey IQ , if players lack this they typically don’t last long in the NHL honestly even if talented. Josh Ho Sang comes to mind.
On the coach. Simply put, successful coaches play systems geared towards the strength and deficiencies of their roster.

Unfortunately I think it's just a perfect storm of incompetence. As I said the other night, I think there are several players on the team who just don't have great hockey IQs. Players who complained about Barry's system argued that it was mindless and boring for them. So for a high IQ player, it may have been just that, but it was also sound in that it could mask the mental shortcomings of others. Ultimately what it did was it created cohesion between all the players, smart, dumb or in between.

Lane's system exposes all of those shortcomings. I think the majority of issues are indeed system-caused, but unfortunately there are also just fundamental brain farts happening regularly that should not occur regardless of the system. It was comical last night watching both Pulock and Romanov go down on one knee to prevent the pass from one Devils player to another on a routine 2 on 2. There's NO way that should happen in the NHL (I think Butchie pointed it out).

The terrible communication and lack of awareness is key. A strict system like Barry's can lessen the damage there, but it's still going to prevent success no matter who is coaching. That said, step one to improving it has to be axing Lane
- keaner17

No question the coaching seems to be an issue, but so are the players and roster overall. I believe 1000% you can have Barry, Al, and Scotty behind the bench and this team is not winning the Cup. They can be better with better coaching just not sure how much better.

The entire point of Barry’s system being implemented was due to then not having the talent to compete offensively. It’s a system that’s built on work not talent.
- Cptmjl

Ding Ding... give that man a cigar.

9 blown leads in the 3rd period and we’re only on game 20🤣🤣
- Vukota

Imagine if they won half of them.

Have to think Lou wants to make a move, but then all attention turns to Lou with a coaching change.
- ses111

Lou will make a Coaching change, however it really needs to be a new GM and then a new Coach. At this point I do not want Lou to be trading any assets (i.e. draft picks) that is not going to solve the problem.

Lou will make a Coaching change, however it really needs to be a new GM and then a new Coach. At this point I do not want Lou to be trading any assets (i.e. draft picks) that is not going to solve the problem.
- Nfdbulldawg

I'm fine with a coaching change and I agree no draft picks should be traded. I'd like to make the playoffs, but I'm fine if this year is about finding out about Holmstrom and Wally and maybe Bolduc this year along with Iskakov. Lou has to do right for the future of the team. Lou at 81 years old is simply not the future.

Lou at 81 years old is simply not the future.
- ses111

He's not even his own future at this age

He's not even his own future at this age
- eichiefs9

I'm trying to be nice chief. It is a fact of life though.

He's not even his own future at this age
- eichiefs9

Lou will make a Coaching change, however it really needs to be a new GM and then a new Coach. At this point I do not want Lou to be trading any assets (i.e. draft picks) that is not going to solve the problem.
- Nfdbulldawg

100% agree.

100% agree.
- Cptmjl

Cannot see a well-established coach taking the job if they think Lou will be out.

Lou will make a Coaching change, however it really needs to be a new GM and then a new Coach. At this point I do not want Lou to be trading any assets (i.e. draft picks) that is not going to solve the problem.
- Nfdbulldawg

What assets? 3/4 of the team can’t skate and every single players contract sucks. Don’t you read the posts?
We are doomed for decades!