Sam Hitchcock: Cooper's Three Goals

Cooper should concentrate on not getting out coached in the 1st round again

Cooper shart the bed prettttty hard vs. Torts.

Hopefully he's learned a little something.

Cooper shart the bed prettttty hard vs. Torts.

Hopefully he's learned a little something.
- OzBolts

He just seems very arrogant. His roster is so good, sometimes it seems as though he's just along for the ride. CLB was hungrier, more disciplined, and won the majority of the one-on-one battles. All three of those factors are directly related to the coach. If he can't improve playoff results this year, what happens to him?

He just seems very arrogant. His roster is so good, sometimes it seems as though he's just along for the ride. CLB was hungrier, more disciplined, and won the majority of the one-on-one battles. All three of those factors are directly related to the coach. If he can't improve playoff results this year, what happens to him?
- rrentz

Another first round exit would be insta-canned. No doubt there.

Ah, I don't know if arrogant is the word I'd use to describe Cooper. Certainly relaxed and, possibly, complacent at times. Stubborn, for sure. But the latter seems to be most coaches who have had some success.

Count me with the short-leash crowd re: Cooper's continued presence in TB. I don't loathe him or anything, but feel a...lets say... Quenneville... would have coached us to a cup or two in this era.

Cooper shart the bed prettttty hard vs. Torts.

Hopefully he's learned a little something.
- OzBolts

True. Those were good points to address for sure, but more importantly, the cap crunch.

I assume one or all of Johnson/Palat/Killorn (tho they all have ntc's) will be moved to accommodate Point and other raises.
You also can not spend 22M on your 3 LD, so a decision needs to be made. Hedman is untouchable, so do you put your faith in Serg to be that #2LD, or do you move him and keep McD who has been very good?

Personally, I would move Serg. You are a win now club, and McD has not shown any signs of aging despite being 30. Serg could land you a massive return, and Coburn would be the #3LD where he belongs with either Cernak or Shatts.

I would move Sergachev and try to package at least one of our 5 Backups, but who can we bring in that both helps us and keeps us salary cap compliant. I think Serg is still on his entry level deal and even if we moved Condon with him that's only 2.25 Mil and we're essentially pressed against the cap right now. Next summer I could see a variety of deals happening, but for now I only see deals involving our plethora of backups and prospects/picks being moved to make room for Erne and Point....given that we have 49/50 contracts already something HAS to happen.

If I’m a Tampa fan I’m pissed off when the day after they lost and they were on a team golfing outing. My bolts friends were moping around and the bolts team players were all happy go lucky. Changes need to be made. Way too complacent.
Cooper had no answers and after game 2 had no idea what to even say.

True. Those were good points to address for sure, but more importantly, the cap crunch.

I assume one or all of Johnson/Palat/Killorn (tho they all have ntc's) will be moved to accommodate Point and other raises.
You also can not spend 22M on your 3 LD, so a decision needs to be made. Hedman is untouchable, so do you put your faith in Serg to be that #2LD, or do you move him and keep McD who has been very good?

Personally, I would move Serg. You are a win now club, and McD has not shown any signs of aging despite being 30. Serg could land you a massive return, and Coburn would be the #3LD where he belongs with either Cernak or Shatts.
- bikeguy99

Mcdonagh has looked terrible in two playoff seasons in a row. 2018 he was supposedly coming off injury and new team. Last year vs Columbus players for Columbus flew by him constantly. He was lost in his own end.

If I’m a Tampa fan I’m pissed off when the day after they lost and they were on a team golfing outing. My bolts friends were moping around and the bolts team players were all happy go lucky. Changes need to be made. Way too complacent.
Cooper had no answers and after game 2 had no idea what to even say.
- leafluver27

Sounds legit.

Erne traded to the Red Wings for a 4th.

What do you guys think about Erne getting traded ? Just wanted to get your guys' input on what he brings to a crappy Detroit roster. How much upside does he have, and was he under-utilized because your team is stacked ?

Also wondering if he could ever be more than a bottom six forward. He's still young and probably better than most or all of Detroits' bottom six forwards. Hoping he can chip in some offense if given the opportunity.

What do you guys think about Erne getting traded ? Just wanted to get your guys' input on what he brings to a crappy Detroit roster. How much upside does he have, and was he under-utilized because your team is stacked ?

Also wondering if he could ever be more than a bottom six forward. He's still young and probably better than most or all of Detroits' bottom six forwards. Hoping he can chip in some offense if given the opportunity.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I think with the right guys he could chip in on a second line role, he was under utilized a bit. Give him some freedom and the return on your 4th should look nice. He's a checking line kind of guy though, don't expect more than 35 points.