So you have inside sources that know everything about the organization?

I also assume that you're a head coach for a hockey team?

Impressive.

Just listened to Laz and Powers "The Athletic" podcast and I think it was Laz who said he heard from multiple sources that it was not fully JC's decision to change up the system and that there was strongarming from upper management. (If that's what you are looking for an explanation for).

They also spoke about how the locker room was "Like a mourge a couple weeks ago"... I don't know who else that falls on but the coach.

The locker room was bad because they were losing so much; that probably happens with any coach.

He promised wins in exchange for good play, they played good and lost. Yeah losing isnt fun, but JC deserves part of the blame.

Stan...I could suggest a coaching trade with the Leafs......please, pretty please.

I know I’m gonna be the minority when I say this ahead of time.

I say either dach stays on the fourth line or he at least stays with Ryan carpenter. I don’t mind if they’re on the third line together, but that needs to happen. I went back and watched some of the Vegas game, and as good as dach was, carpenter and even smith were even better. Dach should remain with players that work really hard for him. Shaw CAN do that, but even he’s getting on my nerves lately with his play. Nylander, though, I feel like he needs more fourth line time. Nylander and dach still don’t show nearly enough effort on the team. I think dach is perfect playing with guys who can carry the puck 180 feet for Dach and then have dach do the easy work.

As for JC, I agree he is not looking good. I’m not a fan at present and I hate the idea that when I’m praising the team going back to a run and gun offense, it’s because of the management team and not the coach. Something has to change on that front very quickly.

Too Funny!

copy paste #11 for reasons 12-100

I agree with most of what was said in the description. Most of those bullet points are just different illustrations of line combinations being the problem. I agree with you about Kualbik. He would be GREAT with Saad/Toews. I want to see that next game for sure.

I would tend to agree with @HatterTParty about Nylander and Dach with respect to no shame being on the 3rd and 4th line. Our reasons as to why we agree with Nylander/Dach being on the lower lines are different...I'm not seeing Smith being better than Dach… BUT, Dach and Nylander and finding more success in the bottom 6. They're scoring points and heck come playoff time 3rd and 4th lines are huge difference makers if they can contribute. If those guys can succeed as rookies down there...I do believe that's a good thing both this year AND the long run. They're both skill guys and can be in the top 6 at some point, but lets not force it. Keep the opposing team's Shutdown lines...FAR FAR away from the rookies. Kane/Debrincat/Strome can handle shutdown players.

I don’t like Dach only playing 10 minutes a night. I think he would benefit from seeing a bit more.

At a high level, I do agree with this 100%. He was having games in which he only played 7 minutes which is a joke. That's when I was calling for him to be sent to the WHL. I'm ok with ~12 min a game though...IF...he's got a coach in his ear after every single josh darn shift (or everyone other shift...it doesn't have to be literal) teaching him new things. He's got soo much to learn.

Just for the record, I’m not saying Smith is better than dach. That’s definitely not the case. However, I would argue that smith works much harder than dach. That mostly can be attributed to his experience and dach’s youth. That being said, it stands as the reason I believe dach is starting to get better results.

Also, the minutes issue. This is an issue on Dach I will absolutely agree with everyone on. I do believe dach needs more minutes, regardless of his performance or how the coach feels. Simply put, at 18, he should be playing every second he can get. This is by far the most vital component in his development. I’m not saying he’s gonna be harmed in his development by this, but I am saying I am gonna be concerned going forward if this trend continues. As far as I’m concerned, if this was always the plan (7-10 minutes per night), then why did keep him up at all??? I really fear part of the answer is Stan fearing for his job and needing the pick to matter now, but this isn’t the way.

The combo of these two topics brings me to another tiny issue that is festering in my head. I know I show very little faith in dach. However, one thing i still haven’t been sold on with him is his ability to play in the top six. Not because his skill isn’t good enough, it really is. However, I still see him lacking the work rate it takes to dominate and control games. Smith and carpenter were PERFECT linemates for Dach because they handled so much of the work for him. Obviously, the 2nd is untouchable. I’m still hoping that top line is gonna be toews saad kuba. If one of them is injured, though, I really don’t think dach is good enough with his work ethic (YET) to replace them.

Admittingly, this is something I’ve feared for a while. Dach’s work ethic is something that been lacking since we drafted him. I still don’t think he’ll get any faster than he is now, but mix that with his work ethic, I don’t know how he can take over games the way they want him to. That’s what a top six player needs to do.

@HatterTParty I would have been ok with Dach going down, but he's here...so it is what it is at this point. I agree with you about the work ethic, but to me it's more once the "games slows down for him" that's when more purposeful strides and assertive plays get made. That's when his skill set with shine and he'll be more suited for a top six role. I don't mean a literal skate speed when I say slow down. I just mean when things start to become natural. He doesn't need to stop and think about what he's supposed to be doing...he just does things. make sense? (you don't have to agree, I'm just not sure I'm being clear is all) 7 minutes is way to low. 10's light. I'm just not sure he was EVER going to get 17 minutes a game considering Toews/Kane/Strome/Debrincat were always going to be in your top 6. Maybe all that means is more support for him being sent down, but again...that ship has sailed. Good thoughts! thanks for the clarification.