GDT: Dallas Stars @ Ottawa Senators 7:30PM ET - Wednesday Nov. 24th

cash wrote:
I don't agree with all the various rants going on in this thread, but Imo this is a very accurate post. The dump and no change issue is ridiculous and kind of an embarassment. It ties in with the too-many-men problem and speaks to bench mismanagement.

Not only that, but it's very obvious that the Sens aren't rushing the puck up ice. Knife it through the neutral zone and gain entrance with speed, enough is enough, make the opposing teams D back up and create some chances.

But then, even when we have chances these days, someone misses.

I guess we'll see how Clouston and Murray respond. To me, neither is safe at all, not at all. Melnyk must be grinding his teeth watching ~60 million of his money look like a bunch of pee wees on the ice. I'd be really pissed if I were hit - I'm pissed now and I'm not paying these guys.

Clouston has a limited time to get things back on track IMO. It starts tomorrow and I'm sure Melnyk and co. will be watching until the end of the month assessing whether or not Clouston is the guy - and more importantly, whether or not Murray is still the guy.

It's finally come to this for sure, this team is slow, boring and being beaten by everyone in the league. And it's been happening a lot - save for some parts of last year. Something's gotta give, either the personnel or the coach or the GM - or a combination.

I'm so Cussing disgusted with this team today, it's incredible. I'm starting to consider giving up on the season, not because of the last couple of days but because of the overwhelming evidence that this team just isn't good enough to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.

Look at the goal differential. It's absolutely disgusting. We're in the bottom third of the league for goals for with 52 and tied for fourth last in the league in goals against with 69. That's a goal differential of -17. For a team that's supposed to be defensively responsible. Outrageous.

Look at the team stats. Regin - 1 goal. Foligno - 0 goals. Fisher - 8 points. Phillips - 3 assists and a -12. Phillips is so bad lately I'm starting to think he's wearing a #6 jersey. Neil and Ruutu have a combined 2 goals when they finished with more than 10 each last season.

Look at the special teams. We're damn near last in the league in power play opportunities. And our PP% is a very average 18%. And the amount of times we've been shorthanded is staggering. So undisciplined I'm starting to think Clouston isn't the man for the job either. Not to mention our PK% which was top 10 last year is now close to bottom 10 this year.

But the worst part is, how Cussing boring this team is to watch. There's no inspired play. Just the same stupid stagnant offensive schemes that include those awesome staples of Mike Fisher skating down the half wall at full speed and shooting the puck either way over the net or straight at the goalie's chest, also include a 5 on 3 setup (for the extremely rare occasion when we do get one) that includes passing the puck for 80% of the time and then taking a shot from the worst possible angle, also includes a dump and chase game that doesn't work because our chase is borderline useless after the line has spent 45 seconds in its' own zone trying to get the puck, also includes a third line that keeps cycling the puck in the offensive zone without anyone actually getting into a spot where they can shoot the puck, also includes probably the worst break out scheme I've ever seen in my life.

The coaching on this team is starting to baffle me. It's the same crappy, uninspired play that leads to no results over and over again. The only time our team ends up in a highlight reel lately is when one guy does it all himself. Which is astounding for a team that has guys like Alfredsson, Kovalev, Spezza, Gonchar, Karlsson, etc. Guys who have great vision and great shots.

And don't even get me started on the shooting the puck thing. I don't know if a site exists that's akin to hoopdata.com where you can track offensive chances per 60 minutes, but I'm damn near sure that we'd rank last in that category. Every game people say, the other goalie played great. Well we didn't make it especially hard for him. I love those stupid, useless fly by net drives we do well after the goalie has covered the puck. Instead of actually, you know, crashing the net with the puck, we just wait until he's covered it so we can go in and pretend we're playing hard after the whistle. Cuss that Dung. You're not fooling anybody with your outdoor rink hockey.

Quite frankly, I'd sit Foligno and Phillips for at least a game each. Neither is contributing anything to the team right now and their uninspired play has become an impediment to this team.

Get Michalek back on the top line in place of Regin and have him park his Donkey within 10 feet of the net.

Put Gonchar and Kuba on the top pairing. Karlsson and Carkner on the second. And Hale and Campoli on the third.

Put Shannon on the second PP unit on the left half wall with Neil in front of the net and Regin on the other side.

And for the love of God, either put Fisher on a rehab stint or send him down to the third line. His 30-point pace this year doesn't belong in the top 6.

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\

Although I disagree with the overall reason for this post being made, when it is thought out and layed out like this, all I can really say is "great post".

I wouldn't change a thing. One of the best.

PKC with the post of the year!

Big Ev wrote:PKC with the post of the year!

Edit: That joke wasn't my style, so I deleted it.

SDH89 wrote:

PKC wrote:This team is way undisciplined and there are so many problems with breaking out of our zone that by the team the forwards can get the puck anywhere near the offensive zone they just dump it and head off on a line change. Things need to change with this team, there's far too much talent on the roster to be middling in mediocrity in the Eastern conference...I shudder to think how bad our record would be if we were in the West.

And can someone please tell me what this team's issue with shooting the puck is? Do they have some sort of aversion or clauses in their contract that prevent them from shooting the puck on net. We're damn near last in the league in shots for per game.

I'm starting to get sick of seeing this team with this many skill players resort to the ridiculous rim the puck around the boards and hope it ends up on someone's stick. That gameplan works for teams like the Boston Bruins who have a ton of hard nosed players on the roster. It doesn't work for a team with skill guys like Spezza, Regin, Alfredsson, Kovalev, Gonchar, Karlsson, Campoli, Shannon, etc....enough is enough of this Cussing garbage.

I agree with most of your points, but what I've realized lately is that we have far too many muckers and grinders and we don't really have many of these "skilled" players you mentioned above.

I am definitely starting to think the way you are in respect to the "Skilled" players on our team. Where are they and what have they been doing lately? It's very frustrating indeed.

SpezDispenser wrote:I guess we'll see how Clouston and Murray respond. To me, neither is safe at all, not at all. Melnyk must be grinding his teeth watching ~60 million of his money look like a bunch of pee wees on the ice. I'd be really pissed if I were hit - I'm pissed now and I'm not paying these guys.

Clouston has a limited time to get things back on track IMO. It starts tomorrow and I'm sure Melnyk and co. will be watching until the end of the month assessing whether or not Clouston is the guy - and more importantly, whether or not Murray is still the guy.

It's finally come to this for sure, this team is slow, boring and being beaten by everyone in the league. And it's been happening a lot - save for some parts of last year. Something's gotta give, either the personnel or the coach or the GM - or a combination.

I have a feeling neither one of these guys are our guys anymore. It's just not working...It's very hard to watch, but I can't help but continue to do so, I love this team and I anxiously await the day they get good again.

SpezDispenser wrote:I guess we'll see how Clouston and Murray respond. To me, neither is safe at all, not at all. Melnyk must be grinding his teeth watching ~60 million of his money look like a bunch of pee wees on the ice. I'd be really pissed if I were hit - I'm pissed now and I'm not paying these guys.

Clouston has a limited time to get things back on track IMO. It starts tomorrow and I'm sure Melnyk and co. will be watching until the end of the month assessing whether or not Clouston is the guy - and more importantly, whether or not Murray is still the guy.

It's finally come to this for sure, this team is slow, boring and being beaten by everyone in the league. And it's been happening a lot - save for some parts of last year. Something's gotta give, either the personnel or the coach or the GM - or a combination.

Ourside of the 1-4-1 start and that 3 game, post-tragedy losing streak they're 9-4 on the season...Last nights game was boring, but let's get a little perspective.

PKC wrote:I'm so Cussing disgusted with this team today, it's incredible. I'm starting to consider giving up on the season, not because of the last couple of days but because of the overwhelming evidence that this team just isn't good enough to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.

yep sure is overwhelming...they only beat a two top 5 teams in the past week and a half...pitiful. They only just dealt with real life tragedy...disgusting effort.

Some of you guys have the uber-fan lack of perspective that makes it unbearable to be on internet forums. (yeah yeah.. "if you don't like it don't come here." Cuss. "the most intellligent hockey discussion on the web"? It's just a regular forum. Get over yourselves).

Try acknowledging that these people (including players, trainers, coaches and GMs) do things that you can't. And then acknowledge that your envy clouds your perspective to the point that you feel the right to criticize every move, without giving any relevance to the multitude of variables that each of them has to consider before taking action.

Ah Cuss it. Rant over. I already know the Dung response this will yield... adios

cash wrote:

PKC wrote:I'm so Cussing disgusted with this team today, it's incredible. I'm starting to consider giving up on the season, not because of the last couple of days but because of the overwhelming evidence that this team just isn't good enough to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.

yep sure is overwhelming...they only beat a two top 5 teams in the past week and a half...pitiful. They only just dealt with real life tragedy...disgusting effort.

Some of you guys have the uber-fan lack of perspective that makes it unbearable to be on internet forums. (yeah yeah.. "if you don't like it don't come here." Cuss. "the most intellligent hockey discussion on the web"? It's just a regular forum. Get over yourselves).

Try acknowledging that these people (including players, trainers, coaches and GMs) do things that you can't. And then acknowledge that your envy clouds your perspective to the point that you feel the right to criticize every move, without giving any relevance to the multitude of variables that each of them has to consider before taking action.

Ah Cuss it. Rant over. I already know the Dung response this will yield... adios

The team is good enough to challenge for a playoff spot, but I think it's apparent they aren't good enough to go on a good playoff run.

My concern is not for this season, it's the fact that I don't see this team getting any better staying the course, keeping fan favorites around, and trying to build solely through the draft and minor tweaks. Gonchar was a nice move but hardly enough to change my opinion. It's time to take a new course and start a re-tool. I don't think tanking the season and next is the way to go, I believe that a few big moves sets us on the right path. We need a bridge in goal this summer, like a Bryzgalov or even a Vokun and we need to move on from players like Neil, Fisher and maybe even Phillips. The D should develop nicely over the next couple years and we have some decent forward prospects but it's time to get a STAR up front. Not a one dimensional Heatley type but an honest to goodness STAR player. I've been on record as wanting to go after Richards and Parise, but there are others to be had if the organization is willing to make a gutsy move.

Oglethorpe wrote:The team is good enough to challenge for a playoff spot, but I think it's apparent they aren't good enough to go on a good playoff run.

My concern is not for this season, it's the fact that I don't see this team getting any better staying the course, keeping fan favorites around, and trying to build solely through the draft and minor tweaks. Gonchar was a nice move but hardly enough to change my opinion. It's time to take a new course and start a re-tool. I don't think tanking the season and next is the way to go, I believe that a few big moves sets us on the right path. We need a bridge in goal this summer, like a Bryzgalov or even a Vokun and we need to move on from players like Neil, Fisher and maybe even Phillips. The D should develop nicely over the next couple years and we have some decent forward prospects but it's time to get a STAR up front. Not a one dimensional Heatley type but an honest to goodness STAR player. I've been on record as wanting to go after Richards and Parise, but there are others to be had if the organization is willing to make a gutsy move.

willing to be had? i imagine you mean via trade? care to speculate?

cash wrote:
Ourside of the 1-4-1 start and that 3 game, post-tragedy losing streak they're 9-4 on the season...Last nights game was boring, but let's get a little perspective.

It would be one thing if we were playing well and were losing, but we're seeing a team that needs to wake the Cuss up now. That's the perspective IMO.

Yes, they can do it, but there likely won't be a miracle 11 game winning streak to ride in like a white knight this year. Better start competing for these games a little better, it's been Cussing pathetic recently.

I seem to remember to hear management say that the kids would challenge for a spot and be given opportunities if some vets underachieve. Still waiting.

Vokoun and Bryzgalov are sporting .920 SV% while Elliott, even with the last couple of games, is at .910. The Sens are giving up 30+ shots per game so an extra .10 SV% will give you one less goal every 3 games. Is that really going to change things much? How about taking fewer penalties, giving up fewer shots and actually scoring a few more? Gonchar's influence on Karlsson (and possibly Rundblad) will be felt for years to come. Sure he was a little expensive, but we're the Edmonton of Ontario.

I hate how we played last game, but I remember the hey-days of when we were always in the hunt for the Presidents' Trophy, but whenever the Devils came to town we'd find a way to lose 2-1 and in such a boring fashion that it made you want to stick toothpicks in your eyes.

Whoever is running the PP *has* to be let go or re-assigned. The talent level for a 5-on-4 is just too high for it to be floundering. And the one time that it actually started to click, someone sure found the "Off" switch quickly enough.

Play a more disciplined brand of hockey. Clear some cap space (Lee, Shannon, Hale, Foligno -- he's still on a two-way?) to make room in the doghouse. Take a stupid, selfish penalty? Be prepared to sit at the end of the bench the rest of the period. Do it again in the same game and you're not playing for a couple of days. I want us to play hard, take elbowing or boarding calls but leaving out the hooks, trips, holds and (shudder) too-many-men.

Work on the PP with someone who has a pulse. It should be top-5 in the league.

Give out rewards for taking shots on goal. Something, Anything.

wprager wrote:Vokoun and Bryzgalov are sporting .920 SV% while Elliott, even with the last couple of games, is at .910. The Sens are giving up 30+ shots per game so an extra .10 SV% will give you one less goal every 3 games. Is that really going to change things much? How about taking fewer penalties, giving up fewer shots and actually scoring a few more? Gonchar's influence on Karlsson (and possibly Rundblad) will be felt for years to come. Sure he was a little expensive, but we're the Edmonton of Ontario.

I hate how we played last game, but I remember the hey-days of when we were always in the hunt for the Presidents' Trophy, but whenever the Devils came to town we'd find a way to lose 2-1 and in such a boring fashion that it made you want to stick toothpicks in your eyes.

Whoever is running the PP *has* to be let go or re-assigned. The talent level for a 5-on-4 is just too high for it to be floundering. And the one time that it actually started to click, someone sure found the "Off" switch quickly enough.

Play a more disciplined brand of hockey. Clear some cap space (Lee, Shannon, Hale, Foligno -- he's still on a two-way?) to make room in the doghouse. Take a stupid, selfish penalty? Be prepared to sit at the end of the bench the rest of the period. Do it again in the same game and you're not playing for a couple of days. I want us to play hard, take elbowing or boarding calls but leaving out the hooks, trips, holds and (shudder) too-many-men.

Work on the PP with someone who has a pulse. It should be top-5 in the league.

Give out rewards for taking shots on goal. Something, Anything.

Yes, it would make a difference. Enough of these fringe goalie, this summer is a great opportunity to land an all-star goaltender. A guy like that gives a franchise immediately respectability.

cash wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:I guess we'll see how Clouston and Murray respond. To me, neither is safe at all, not at all. Melnyk must be grinding his teeth watching ~60 million of his money look like a bunch of pee wees on the ice. I'd be really pissed if I were hit - I'm pissed now and I'm not paying these guys.

Clouston has a limited time to get things back on track IMO. It starts tomorrow and I'm sure Melnyk and co. will be watching until the end of the month assessing whether or not Clouston is the guy - and more importantly, whether or not Murray is still the guy.

It's finally come to this for sure, this team is slow, boring and being beaten by everyone in the league. And it's been happening a lot - save for some parts of last year. Something's gotta give, either the personnel or the coach or the GM - or a combination.

Ourside of the 1-4-1 start and that 3 game, post-tragedy losing streak they're 9-4 on the season...Last nights game was boring, but let's get a little perspective.

Thank you, cash, for this and your other post. Mine was actually posted before yours but my connection must have gone down and I only noticed a short while ago and had to hit re-send. Now I'm catching up a bit.

I still have to agree with some of the points PKC was making, though. The team is taking way too many penalties, and this has been going on for quite a while -- since CLouston mentioned refereeing in his first go around. Phillips *is* playing very poorly. Fisher *should* sit for the benefit of the team. And out PP has been stinking it up for 2+ years.

But at least we're showing signs (last game, excepted).