Fire Lane now. Gives them time to see if it's the coach or the players. If it turns out it's the players, have a fire sale at deadline.

Problem is if he’s done we’re more or less setting the table for Chris who has been ordained the heir apparent. Chris may be a wonderful GM for what any of us know but I for one am not to happy about that. This guy shouldn’t be given the keys to anything because he’s this guys son. He has proven nothing and if we are using Bridgeport as a barometer then he shouldn’t be anywhere near the NHL team imo.
- Cptmjl

I agree with you 100% on not handing the keys to Chris. Not for it at all, especially if there's an opportunity to hire a proven GM.

Fire Lane now. Gives them time to see if it's the coach or the players. If it turns out it's the players, have a fire sale at deadline.
- chazpet

If they fire Lane they will probably respond but we’re masking another problem. I don’t think anyone realistically thinks this lineup is really competitive. If they respond and ramble off some wins if they fire the coach it’ll hide the real problem and just prolong mediocrity imo.

This lineup desperately needs an infusion of youth and speed. There’s only one way to do that.

I agree with you 100% on not handing the keys to Chris. Not for it at all, especially if there's an opportunity to hire a proven GM.
- streaks

Yeah I don’t know who would be available or be a great fit to replace Lou but I also don’t think for a second it’s even being looked into anyway.

Yeah I don’t know who would be available or be a great fit to replace Lou but I also don’t think for a second it’s even being looked into anyway.
- Cptmjl

I have to think ownership is aware of the teams performance this season, the early exist last, and missing the playoffs the year before that. Also, the new guy Collins, who I think is the brains behind the outdoor rinks, seems to be a go getter. I would think he wants as$es in the seats and is gearing up for an all-star game the near future. Trying to maximize profits. He doesn't seem the type of guy that likes mediocrity.

Yeah I don’t know who would be available or be a great fit to replace Lou but I also don’t think for a second it’s even being looked into anyway.
- Cptmjl

Totally agree. I think Lou is currently both the President of Hockey Operations AND the General Manager. When the time comes, I predict ownership will urge him to give up his GM title and hire his replacement as GM, allowing him to keep the POHO title.

I believe it was for Toronto as well. Like a lot of other NHL execs and coaches it seems the key to Lameriello is knowing when to pull the plug and move onto someone else once things are turned around. Toronto realized this(not that they are some well run team) and made the change after he locked up Marleau and other over the hill retreads.

They, like us, were stuck with some unmovable long term garbage pail contracts that they had to give up assets to dump. Literally the same situation minus Toronto actually having some great young players like Matthews and Marner. We’re in a much more crappy situation with mediocrity locked up long term. Horvat has been playing great but the guy is in his prime.

Does anyone think by the time we are truly competitive he’ll be playing at this level? Hence the TIMING of that trade sucked. It was the right move at the wrong time.
- Cptmjl

I'd argue that the 7 year deals to Mayfield and Engvall along with clutter and Martin deals before handicapped his ability to add around horvat and barzal. Same end result anyway you slice it but those 1st two deals are a killer for making moves

I'd argue that the 7 year deals to Mayfield and Engvall along with clutter and Martin deals before handicapped his ability to add around horvat and barzal. Same end result anyway you slice it but those 1st two deals are a killer for making moves
- Upstate_isles

Yeah I’d counter with it’s a culmination of everything he’s done. Some good some bad but in the end, like you said, he painted himself in a corner for the last three seasons. Been saying this for three years. Ultimately that Horvat trade doesn’t make any sense if he were able to see the team had holes that weren’t going to be filled by extending players he shouldn’t.

Totally agree. I think Lou is currently both the President of Hockey Operations AND the General Manager. When the time comes, I predict ownership will urge him to give up his GM title and hire his replacement as GM, allowing him to keep the POHO title.
- JohnScammo

Agreed

I have to think ownership is aware of the teams performance this season, the early exist last, and missing the playoffs the year before that. Also, the new guy Collins, who I think is the brains behind the outdoor rinks, seems to be a go getter. I would think he wants as$es in the seats and is gearing up for an all-star game the near future. Trying to maximize profits. He doesn't seem the type of guy that likes mediocrity.
- streaks

Yeah but you have to wonder if ownership like Lou will just continue to double down hoping for a different result. I think that’s insane but right now I see Ledecky and malkin as two owners reluctant to make any major changes. I hope I’m wrong about that.

Yeah I’d counter with it’s a culmination of everything he’s done. Some good some bad but in the end, like you said, he painted himself in a corner for the last three seasons. Been saying this for three years. Ultimately that Horvat trade doesn’t make any sense if he were able to see the team had holes that weren’t going to be filled by extending players he shouldn’t.
- Cptmjl

Apparently he thought those two were the answer long term so he gave them deals no one would take and leaving the team on the hook

Totally agree. I think Lou is currently both the President of Hockey Operations AND the General Manager. When the time comes, I predict ownership will urge him to give up his GM title and hire his replacement as GM, allowing him to keep the POHO title.
- JohnScammo

I'm going to remain optimistic. I think this is Lou's last season as GM. Maybe he'll stay on in some capacity, but I think this is it. I mean the guy is 81, if nothing else he doesn't have much time one way or another

I'd argue that the 7 year deals to Mayfield and Engvall along with clutter and Martin deals before handicapped his ability to add around horvat and barzal. Same end result anyway you slice it but those 1st two deals are a killer for making moves
- Upstate_isles

Clutterbuck and Martin deals are up after this season I believe. Mayfield may be tradable to a playoff bound team looking for a grit on the backend. His game seems to elevate in the playoffs. Which may allow a team to overlook his regular season suck Fuk I just looked up his contract, 7 yrs at $3.5M per. oof.

I'm going to remain optimistic. I think this is Lou's last season as GM. Maybe he'll stay on in some capacity, but I think this is it. I mean the guy is 81, if nothing else he doesn't have much time one way or another
- streaks

He will live to 110 as our GM. 😂

Clutterbuck and Martin deals are up after this season I believe. Mayfield may be tradable to a playoff bound team looking for a grit on the backend. His game seems to elevate in the playoffs. Which may allow a team to overlook his regular season suck Fuk I just looked up his contract, 7 yrs at $3.5M per. oof.
- streaks

Yeah there’s exactly a zero % chance of that happening. That albatross is unmovable.

Apparently he thought those two were the answer long term so he gave them deals no one would take and leaving the team on the hook
- Upstate_isles

And the fans…. Worst part about it is the guy gave himself a pat on the back for a job well done publicly after he signed those two. I was like wtf are you kidding me. 😆

I do think this is Lou’s last year. He’s gotta be hearing it from someone in ownership, or at least hints of something. The arena is still new and needs be filled. I do think it’s a pretty good indication if he doesn’t let Lane go. Why bring in a coach now only to bring in a new gm that will likely want his own coach that fits the style of play he’s aiming for?
- streaks

This team as poorly as they have played since Xmas are not out of contention to make the PO’s. This is a biz and the goal is to make the PO’s. Lou isn’t saying ok this is my last year I will just ride it out with Lane if he doesn’t believe he’s capable of righting the ship.
In the same breath if Ownership doesn’t believe Lou is doing a good job and has run his course, they aren’t going to just let it go and address it at the end of the season.
As you said they want/need to fill that new arena and want the big revenue PO games.
If they go on a run as they have done not very long ago they will be right back in the mix with how tight the Eastern Conference is.
Lou needs to do something because these guys clearly aren’t playing up to the level they are capable of and the coach needs to go.
My opinion of course however you can’t stand still and watch your investment crumble.

This team as poorly as they have played since Xmas are not out of contention to make the PO’s. This is a biz and the goal is to make the PO’s. Lou isn’t saying ok this is my last year I will just ride it out with Lane if he doesn’t believe he’s capable of righting the ship.
In the same breath if Ownership doesn’t believe Lou is doing a good job and has run his course, they aren’t going to just let it go and address it at the end of the season.
As you said they want/need to fill that new arena and want the big revenue PO games.
If they go on a run as they have done not very long ago they will be right back in the mix with how tight the Eastern Conference is.
Lou needs to do something because these guys clearly aren’t playing up to the level they are capable of and the coach unfortunately in my opinion has to go.
My opinion of course however you can’t stand still and watch your investment crumble.
- nyisles7

It's possible ownership has been engaged with Lou the past 12-18mos (after missing playoffs in 21/22 and early exit 22/23) and saying, okay we'll give you flexibility. But we need results. None of us know, and what you said is certainly plausable too. I just think he's closer to the end, and if he doesnt hire a new coach to try and shake things up, in my mind this is his swan song...

It's possible ownership has been engaged with Lou the past 12-18mos (after missing playoffs in 21/22 and early exit 22/23) and saying, okay we'll give you flexibility. But we need results. None of us know, and what you said is certainly plausable too. I just think he's closer to the end, and if he doesnt hire a new coach to try and shake things up, in my mind this is his swan song...
- streaks

I think he fires Lane. Completely out of character for him not to have done it already that’s the only thing that makes me think he may not but I think there’s a better chance lane is gone soon then not.

It's possible ownership has been engaged with Lou the past 12-18mos (after missing playoffs in 21/22 and early exit 22/23) and saying, okay we'll give you flexibility. But we need results. None of us know, and what you said is certainly plausable too. I just think he's closer to the end, and if he doesnt hire a new coach to try and shake things up, in my mind this is his swan song...
- streaks

Oh 💯 he’s closer to the end just because of his age and of course the teams results the last couple of years.
This is a huge year as far as season tix because a lot of the club season tix and higher end tix were 3,5 and 7 year contracts and the 3 year deals are up this year. The people who signed these 3 year deals ( me being one) are going to make decisions after this season if they want to renew.
For me I don’t think I will go for it if they don’t make the PO’s. You have to think I wouldn’t be the only one.

Fire Lane now. Gives them time to see if it's the coach or the players. If it turns out it's the players, have a fire sale at deadline.
- chazpet

its unreal that you could possibly wonder if its the players? this is one of the least talented teams in the league and has been for years. Trotz had them playing the only system that could possibly work at the time. They are older and slower. Keep dobson and listen to reasonable offers for everyone else.

Clutterbuck and Martin deals are up after this season I believe. Mayfield may be tradable to a playoff bound team looking for a grit on the backend. His game seems to elevate in the playoffs. Which may allow a team to overlook his regular season suck Fuk I just looked up his contract, 7 yrs at $3.5M per. oof.
- streaks

Yea 7 years is lime a ntc lol

Oh 💯 he’s closer to the end just because of his age and of course the teams results the last couple of years.
This is a huge year as far as season tix because a lot of the club season tix and higher end tix were 3,5 and 7 year contracts and the 3 year deals are up this year. The people who signed these 3 year deals ( me being one) are going to make decisions after this season if they want to renew.
For me I don’t think I will go for it if they don’t make the PO’s. You have to think I wouldn’t be the only one.
- nyisles7

You know nothing

WTF! I took a piss and the game is over.

This team isn't even a bubble team. Take any reasonable offers.
- JimmyP

If you lose to my hawks, who at best is a middle AHL team, you have major problems. Watch out forcthe hawks in 2-3 years.

I'd argue that the 7 year deals to Mayfield and Engvall along with clutter and Martin deals before handicapped his ability to add around horvat and barzal. Same end result anyway you slice it but those 1st two deals are a killer for making moves
- Upstate_isles

You just cannot give out these types of deals in a Cap world to non-impact players. Team was better off bringing more players on 1 year deal like Gauthier and buying time for younger players. It would be nice for this year to be able to move Palms and call up Ishakov play him and Holmstrom with Nelson and give Bolduc as many games as possible.