Jack Lantern
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Stan doesn't have the early preseason smirk in this one and it also doesn't help his scapegoat headcoach Quennville is rocking in Florida.
He sort of looks depressed in this interview... lol
He couldn't wipe the smirk off his face from the draft lottery until about the 1/4 mark of the season.He always looks that way.
This weekends back to back is going to be tough with a depleted lineup. The Ducks, Habs and Sens all suck, the Leafs and Jets are well balanced teams that can put major pressure on the defence and score at will. The goalies will have to be superstars this weekend if the Hawks hope to gain some points.He couldn't wipe the smirk off his face from the draft lottery until about the 1/4 mark of the season.
If they go to Canada and get 3 of 4 wins it might even be back.
This weekends back to back is going to be tough with a depleted lineup. The Ducks, Habs and Sens all suck, the Leafs and Jets are well balanced teams that can put major pressure on the defence and score at will. The goalies will have to be superstars this weekend if the Hawks hope to gain some points.
Are you sure you want points? It's kind of a fine line this team is walking.....should they somehow squeeze their asses into the post season, the whole front office group will probably be back for more misadventures in team construction.
You are right it’s a fine line, Yes I want this team to be torn down and renovated, but at the same time I believe Kane, Toews, Keith, CC and others who have given there heart and soul to this franchise deserve a better fate.Are you sure you want points? It's kind of a fine line this team is walking.....should they somehow squeeze their asses into the post season, the whole front office group will probably be back for more misadventures in team construction.
I wouldn’t be a fan if I didn’t want this team to succeed.Are you sure you want points? It's kind of a fine line this team is walking.....should they somehow squeeze their asses into the post season, the whole front office group will probably be back for more misadventures in team construction.
Trying to be positive, and not Greg Luganis-level positive, That's what Keith was early on. We'll see how Boqvist goes but I'm not too worried about him--except of course if Stan trades him away in the offseason for a one-dimensional forward who slacks off most nights or a retread on their last legs...And just like that, they are in last in the Central Division again! 12th in the West! And StanBo sits with one thumb in his mouth and the other in his ass... playing "switch."
These players (especially the vets) and this coaching staff have worked hard to improve this season and they deserve a GM who is willing to try to help improve the weaknesses in the roster, that he has help create, and has not made any attempts to fix.
I don't want to hear the "We are not going to mortgage the future, blah, blah, blah." You don't have to!!
This defensive unit that he has assembled is, and has been, among the worst, if not the worst, in the league since he decided to tear it down and rebuild it after the "Nashville Sweep." Yes, there were off season changes but significant injuries to two of the top six (arguably, I get it) before mid-season have them trying to fill in with Gilbert, Cocoa Puffs, and Boqvist. That can't be a recipe for success, even in StanBo's mind.
Cocoa Puffs is bad defensively and Gustafsson is even worse. Gilbert is a marginal NHL'er and Boqvist is literally a boy trying to play among men and is physically over-matched on most nights.
Alright, so I've laid out the obvious problem. I have to get into a meeting so I will lay out solutions later. : )
I won't disagree with your premise, but I have doubts that the coaching staff will deploy them correctly or effectively.Back to trade possibilities that could bolster the D "Corpse" to make a push without overpaying for rentals.
There are very serviceable D men, that could improve this roster defensively (most anything would be an improvement) that could be acquired expensively.
Marco Scandella, Mark Pysyk, and Trevor van Riemsdyk come to mind. All three of these guys are being underutilized on their current teams and are on expiring contracts. Hell, Florida has Pysyk playing 4th line right wing. Send them an actual young right winger like Matt Highmore in exchange. Pysyk is a solid puck mover and respectable defensively that could be a big upgrade over Cocoa Puffs.
Scandella could be a top four guy on this team and is very solid defensively. Montreal only gave up a 4th round pick for him so I'm sure they would be happy to get something back. T.V.R. would also be a decent 3rd pairing addition.
Adding two defensively capable blue liners and improving by subtracting Gustafsson and Cocoa Puffs surely could improve this teams chances of success at making it to the Second Season.
While I am at it there is one other D man that I have been watching that is being underutilized that could be a solid top four upgrade for this team that might be acquired inexpensively. Colin Miller with the Buffalo Sabres hasn't been able to crack the top four or get any power play time there.
He was able to produce nice offensive numbers when given the ice time in Vegas without completely sacrificing his defensive responsibilities.
He is signed through 2022 at about a 3.9 mil. cap hit. He could be a nice replacement for Gus once he is, hopefully, traded at the dead line.