Weave

Hitchcock definitely had them playing to win, but other than 1 season, they haven't gotten as far as they were expected to. The team has a SJ Sharks sort of noose around its neck regarding the playoffs. Are they underacheivers, or was the roster flawed? You could successfully argue both ways.

Talent isn't the coaches responsibility. Use of talent is. If the team plays well excepting the goalie, and House adapts his system but the team still can't overcome the goalie, I don't see that as Housley's fault. He'll need to show that he can get this new roster to buy into whatever he is selling.

I think he is referring to the genesis of the Kessel-hot dog meme. I don't really know the story, but I'm assuming this is what he is referring to.

That #2 PP unit will be tough to watch, but they usually are. Don't discount ROR's faceoff proficiency and its role in our past PP success.

Faceoffs is a legit concern. Hopefully Jack has been busy working on it.

My only concern regarding your culture change point is, other than Sheary and Hunwick (who may never see the ice), we haven't exactly picked the pockets of winning organizations to create that depth. I criticized GMTM for it, so it is only fair to bring up the same with JBotts acquistions.

I have no opinion on whether they have the personnel to overcome it, but if it happens (substandard goaltending, that is), I need to see Phil be able to adapt.

I think we'll miss Kane's game (pre- lead up to the deadline). I'd rather have that game. The physicality. The relentless forecheck. The potential violence. But I'm not gonna quibble about Skinner.

Ok, Ryan's mom. ? Just kidding in case this lame small emoji can't make that obvious.

My definition is different than yours. Kane was a rental. Sometimes players are rented and a putchase is decided after. IMO Skinner still falls just outside it. He still has a full season to go.

Abso-freaking-lutley. Jack needs to show that he can adjust too. If he can't adjust, I'm not sure he deserves the elite label we've given him.

You are assuming that if we don't make the playoffs the trade is a failure. I don't see it as nearly as clear cut as that. This team needs to have an expectation of winning placed on it NOW. The excuses for losing are being stripped away one by one. If Pu and a 25% chance at a roster player is what it takes to jump start the expectation of winning, that is a price I am willing to pay. Pu was a 2nd tier prospect for us at best, and the 2nd round pick is a low odds asset. Not at all a high price to pay for the expectation to win.

I think I may be out. My son is looking for someone to give my ticket to. If he can't move it, I'll make a last minute decision. My sutures are still bleeding and I am still icing my face once an hour.

Unless the goaltending is a nightmare again, I think Phil has to win now. And if goaltending is an issue, I think Phil has to show that he can coach a gameplan that sheilds it.

I wonder if Girgs, Larsson, Wilson have any value? Could we get back close to what we gave up for Skinner? Pu, Girgs, Larsson, Wilson, for Skinner in total?

There is a reboot every decade or so. Or 3 years. Maybe both.

I feel bad for Carolina fans. It's a {insert obscenity for poopy here} situation for them. HEY NS! You'll be glad to know that the hashtags blocking bad words has been replaced by a filter that just deletes them.

Oh, and I might add, this (Top 6 winger for a bag of pucks) is what happens when you wait until a player has rental value before choosing to move him. This is why I hate trading away rental players. Carolina should have evaluated the Skinner situation and made a move last season.

Wasn't directed at you. I assumed there was an element of sarcasm in your post.

From Bill Hoppe's article regarding the Skinner trade: Sounds like the talk of Sam at Center is likely done unless they are forced to move Casey to wing should he show that he's not ready for center.

I don't get the angst. Pu is a middling prospect that will struggle to make an impact at the NHL level (MO obviously), and the picks are chump change.

I find nothing sad about that. The names penciled in for the 13 forwards right now actually look and sound like an NHL roster. Smith, Bailey, Olofsson, and O'reagan would be facing this level of difficulty to crack the roster in any other organization but this one. I say bravo. Well done, JBotts. And thank you.

See my reply added as yours was being typed. There is some Hasek involved in this deal from a Carolina perspective.

I saw on twitter that a hockey writer out of Calgary said that Skinner vetoed a bunch of trades in the lead up to the draft. I don't think it was a matter of teams not willing to give up much> I think Waddell needed to find a team that Skinner was willing to go to. Fortunately, toronto nearby worked in our favor, it seems.

Glad it's not me.....