dudacek

I think this has vanished pretty much since Lindy Ruff was handed his walking papers. Teddy demanded effort but he didn't have the horses to demand results. Murray was sloppy, Bylsma ignored, Botterill wilfully blind, and Housley soft as pillows. Jeff Skinner scored three goals in 60 games and people were stunned and outraged he got sat. That's wrong. How can you be surprised at the lack of accountability when you don't demand it? Adams doesn't need to be a hardass, but he needs to set a standard: Do your job or we will give someone else a chance to do it. It starts with Krueger, but it needs to include people like Staal, and Eakin, and Okposo and anyone else who is not carrying their load.

I was with you, but that was based on Skinner rebounding, Staal being good, Hall being Hall and Jack being Jack. I'm not convinced that any of those things were going to happen this year any more, no matter the coach. I hope the rest of the season gives each an opportunity to prove me wrong

For Eichel, as things stand now? Absolutely. Mix and match depending on the trade partner, but generally speaking the ask would have to be one of two things: * a package including a lesser but proven forward asset to plug into Jack's slot and eat cap, a high-level skill prospect, and a pick or prospect to sweeten (Think Kopitar and Byfield, Zibanejad and Lafreniere, or Kane and Dach, sweeten as needed) * a hockey trade involving similar value players maybe in need of a change (Think Barkov and Spencer Knight for Eichel and Ristolainen, or Petersson and Virtanen for Eichel and Montour, sweeten as needed) I'm not advocating the above or saying they are good valie, just throwing them out there as the types of packages needed to make this a conversation. If the best things on the table are HFBoards offers like Kakko, Strome and a pick, Jack needs to get used to the blue and gold.

I'm pretty sure that Montour's game will improve if he is put in a position that maximizes his strengths: IMO, that is paired with a reliable 2LD, encouraged to attack, and given some PP time. When he was acquired, I always kinda envisioned he and McCabe would do that here, but we've rarely seen it.

I think what has become pretty obvious is that the most common initial fears about Krueger became true: his strengths as a leader were not enough to overcome his weaknesses as a tactician. I think the way all three of his head coaching seasons have played out reflect that: when other coaches have adjusted, he has been unable to adjust back. It's probably pertinent that a large chunk of his career was focused on preparing for quick-burst tournament play.

@Thorny and I debated this a lot in the fall. In practice I was wrong that the odds of Hutton playing enough to make a difference didn't warrant the cost, and he was wrong that the team would be good enough for it to matter.

I think the King would be absolutely nuts not to trade all of Turcotte, Kaliyev and Byfield for Eichel (along with something to balance cap). Straight up bonkers. None of those three have done a thing to indicate they will be anywhere near Eichel's level. Turcotte and Kaliyev today equate to Mittelstadt and Thompson two years ago. Byfield to Nolan Patrick. Sure they might turn into Suzuki, Yamamoto and Ryan Johansson before he got paid, but that's kinda worst-case scenario and you still got Jack Eichel. Bird in the hand.

I think Adams is a smart guy who knows how to manage people. I thought the same things about Ralph. I was on board with the thought process behind most of the moves Adams has made so far. I don't expect instant results. But only the results matter.

This makes a lot of sense. Don't see it happening because of first bold below Second bold is the crux for me and should be for Adams. Adams also needs to show he is in charge and send a message that he means what he says about accountability and what he deems acceptable.

Always a good idea to lean into what the fans are saying. 😂

Sorry, that wasn't meant to be a shot. There were direct reports when Krueger was hired that Krueger's name was one Rutherford had saved, and he recommended Botterill take a look. I don't have time to go hunting right now, but there might be links in the Krueger hiring thread that just got resurrected.

Not arguing your points at all, however it should be pointed out he did have one off-season success: the special teams. PK has moved from among the all-time worst to top-10. The PP is top 3. Faceoff win percentage has moved into top 10 as well. Generally speaking, Sheahan and Reider and Lazar were good value signings that filled a need. Small consolation, I know.

In Botterill's defence, it was on the recommendation of your boy Rutherford

Are you thinking of the 86 squad, that was the first one to completely break my young heart. I mean looking back it had Foligno and Ramsey, but the realization that Tucker, Cyr, Creighton, Barasso or even Housley and Andreychuk weren’t going to save us was a slap in the face. And Perreault retiring and leaving us with the likes of fossils like Gillies and Fogolin and Paiement and Napier and Phil ***** Russel, and slugs like Dykstra and Hospodar and Jim Korn and Jacques Cloutier. 🤮

Are we sure this isn’t just a pen artistic rendering of Colin Miller’s mission statement?

How these two paragraphs are connected escapes me. The evidence is pretty strong. As for @john wawrow declining to scoop his own employer on this board it is as silly to consider that as it is to think your local pizza delivery man is going to feed you before his paying clients. No harm in asking (John of all people should get that) but being upset over his response is wasted energy.

This things aren't mutually exclusive. Adams basically handles the leadership role while evaluating what he has, Ellis handles the grunt work — practices and systems — so Adams can continue with GM work.

Not sure what the charts say, but my eyes say Skinner/Mitts/Lazar deserves another look.

Kind of a testimonial to Ralph’s commitment to never changing the plan, eh? Like they say about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result?

Skinner and Mitts looking like we’ve always dreamed.

Never, ever said anything different. Only that linemates and usage should never prevent the real Jeff Skinner from scoring goals. Slow, sure. Stop, never.

That was a vintage Skinner goal. He doesn’t need to be fed the puck by great players, he needs to use his hands, his feet and his courage within 10 feet from the net.

One period away from a 0-6 run where we have been outscored so far 22-6 and outclassed virtually every period of every game. Coaches of real NHL teams don’t survive this.

For sure. The emphasis was on how much higher the expectations should be for the second set of players. Even a month ago, can you imagine thinking “Jack Eichel can’t score”

it’s like the tank-era teams when you knew there was no way guys like Konopka and Flynn and Leino and Hodgson and Mitchell were going to score. Except now those names are Skinner, Staal, Eakin, Eichel, Okposo and Hall. And vintage Dahlin net protection there.