7+6=13

We're not just a normal bad team because we have plausible upside.

I get that you're being cautious but not everyone that plays in the NHL came from a singular source. We're being active to fix the defense - what's not to be interested in with this young man?

I can't understand how anyone can think the rebuild should be done already. I get the we should be further along but I don't think 10 more points this year would make me feel better. I see where we are in terms of personnel. I'm satisfied with having a reasonable optimistic view of our future. I see no difference in where we are now vs having 10 more points and staying there for another year with Bylsma. He has to go - it's a matter of time but with this defense we're not ready to win playoff series anyway. We've got so much to look forward to. I'm just going to enjoy the journey.

I don't see anyway Tampa Bay could sign Jack with their cap situation.

We stayed an extra year in tank mode to land Eich or McD. How can anyone rationalize being totally done with the team 2 seasons after? Pegula's warts? He buys a team almost completely void of any proven high end talent. FF to now and the opposite is true. Now it's about figuring out how to put everything together so it works and fans are done waiting. I don't get it.

I'm not bashing him at all but I thought Jack showed his age in the interview. I'll say the questions were small minded - which I know doesn't surprise anyone. If you want to get to know the kid ask questions that make sense for him to answer. I don't think he came off as arrogant or an a-hole but he seemed irritated as if we got knocked out of the playoffs last night - so there should have been ample time to not be that uncomfortable. The only other thing I can think of is his frustration is lingering because he would like to A see some players gone or B players and the coach. Jack strikes me as someone that wants all his communication to be in his preparation, on the ice and between his teammates. He might grow into the captains role but I think he'd prefer to let someone else take that role and he'd be an A. I'm also just about sick of Lehner. The guy rarely talks about his deficiencies but loves to spout off about how his teammates played. He consistently takes questions and turns it into how the team plays. I translate that into blaming the players in front of him. Let's hear about how you've identified the need to work on your lack of anticipation and lateral movement and how many odd goals go in because you don't know where the puck is and how your glove side is attacked by the opposing team. I think Brad May eluded to it last night. There's goalies teammates don't enjoy playing for. I think Robin may be one of those goalies.

I don't understand Girgensons. He's very skilled with the puck, big, skates well with good speed and seems like an excellent teammate. Yet he just doesn't do much. I don't get it. He has so many tools to be a very good player but doesn't produce.

As bad as we were I don't think you fire a GM 3 off seasons in. You have to give the draft picks time to develop. I think he gets that time (at least 2 more off seasons) and the opportunity to pick one more coach. Then it all has to come together to keep his job.

Murray has had 3 drafts and we all know the numbers on draft picks making it in the NHL. Round 3 and beyond is a miracle to even play a game - so we're talking about 1st and 2nd rounders primarily having a chance. Sam is playing, Karabacek and Cornel are 20 and Lemieux was traded from the 2014 draft. Eichel is playing and Guhle is coming from 2015. You mentioned Nylander and Asplund and the apparent 6th round gift of Estephan. Carrier a 2nd rounder from the 2013 draft also has a chance to be a good NHL player. Murray obviously added very good offensive talent in free agency and the draft. He has not accomplished that defensively but we have this years draft and will have to lean on building it through free agency. We're in good shape and shouldn't be so down trodden. When Sam and Jack are 24 and 23 respectively we're going to be a force and some of the bad contracts we have now will be far in the rear view mirror. To me this season and next are just about getting our young stars on the ice and developing their game - they are doing that.

^^^ What would be the point of giving the team one second of your time then?

I don't like Lehner's style personally. He's a net clogger and I prefer quick and agile - but this defense is fantastically terrible.

I'd agree except Risto. The guy just does so many things to contribute.

Yes. A normal person would have needed two good ankles.

Amazing how even playing one of the worst teams in the NHL - time off from playing is hard to overcome. Actually makes it all the more amazing how Eichel came back like he was shot out of a cannon. Good reminder for us fans that underestimate how injured players not named Eichel need time to build back up.

I follow them game to game but it's not always a likeable thing. The main reason it's not likeable is that I am constantly changing my mind on what I think about many things. For a while I was blaming myself but I've come to shift that blame anywhere but me. Heck I was close to not only conceding but being ok with not making the playoffs and seeing the value in another top 10 pick. Now I'm all about just squeaking into the playoffs because I just want to be in the post season. Well darnit, that's not my fault.

No man, just kidding around. Then amazingly they do that. Good lord this team is tough to understand.

Bylsma just tweeted live during the game that the players need to trust the game plan.

I certainly agree with the grind portion of your post but I'd argue that there's much better shots available in the NCAA because the defense is much much less intense. Therefore specifically for goaltenders I think it's a different kind of evaluation. The closeness the offense gets to the goal and the passing around the goal is much harder to work for in the NHL. But as you say, the speed of how things happen in the NHL is a major consideration. So are the opportunities that come much more rarely in the NHL vs the speed of the NHL is what makes it difficult to know how a goaltenders game will translate.

I'm not saying you're wrong or that I totally disagree with you. However I think it's possible Lehner with a better defense and puck possession could see his save percentage get worse - solely because of the type of goals he lets in. I think because of how many shots he takes, his numbers are somewhat better than on ice performance.

I still wish Ruff was here. He'd have this team playing and he deserved to have that in Buffalo.

That's right. We do it because of the lack of speed/skill. Huge difference. The strange thing is we have lines/players with plenty enough speed to not dump in as much as we do - Bylsma, it appears, refuses to abandon his scheme regardless of which line is out there. I see absolutely nothing wrong with allowing 2 top lines to play different than 2 puck control lines.

Auston Matthews is the real deal. 22 goals is just simply amazing. We just don't have that kind of luck.

Carrier is a young player to get excited about. He's huge, crazy quick and a fast skater. If he continues to work on puck handling he's going to be very nice. IMO he was sorely missed in the Chicago game. He's one of our players that can hang with their skill. Needed him badly in that game.

This has to be right and is evidenced by the reporting of Rob Ray after the 1st period. The assistant coach said Bylsma went off on the team because they weren't sticking to the game plan. I think it's an indication that this team isn't rebelling - because I think there's too much character - but rather they're struggling to play Bylsma's way. I think it's possible that the team is teetering on believing in it.

Exactly right. We're 2-9 after regulation. It's not good enough to get 1 point that many times - I believe that's where Jack is coming from.