If I started drinking Mezcal, the cure would be worse than the cold....I've had nights where I woke up in new and exciting places and had zero idea how I arrived at said place.

We ended up at Drexel one night, sleeping in the lounge at a dorm. The night started in Bell Mawr at the old Pennant East. To this day we have no clue how we ended up at Drexel.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, I have my own Mezcal story. It'll have to wait until I see you again; it's not family forum friendly.

In the meantime, while everyone is whipping on Couturier, fellow 2nd year player Brayden Schenn is back to scuffling again offensively, too. Pointless in his last seven games, two points (assists) in the last 10 games, hasn't scored a goal since Feb 23. He's minus-10 over that span, and also took that awful penalty in the New Jersey game.
- bmeltzer

The wheels are completely off. Hard to judge the kids with this mess. He is also skating with Briere so he basically has one winger

In the meantime, while everyone is whipping on Couturier, fellow 2nd year player Brayden Schenn is back to scuffling again offensively, too. Pointless in his last seven games, two points (assists) in the last 10 games, hasn't scored a goal since Feb 23. He's minus-10 over that span, and also took that awful penalty in the New Jersey game.
- bmeltzer

does that coincide with putting briere on their line? seemed to put the kibosh on both simmonds and schenn ...

Sophomore slumps happen. I'm not too concerned. If this continues into next year+, then I'll worry.
- NickTheKid87

Coburn's regression is more of a concern. What was doing on that penalty last night where he just tackled the guy along the boards?

In the meantime, while everyone is whipping on Couturier, fellow 2nd year player Brayden Schenn is back to scuffling again offensively, too. Pointless in his last seven games, two points (assists) in the last 10 games, hasn't scored a goal since Feb 23. He's minus-10 over that span, and also took that awful penalty in the New Jersey game.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, and it seems Matt Read has been unable to find his groove again, despite hitting the crossbar last night on that rush.

Too much dumb to blame the coach. Time and time again we have seen this team take the most undisciplined of penalties, constant shooting and missing the net. Sure Laviolette is culpable to some degree of blame. But this is a classic case of a team underachieving and playing stupid hockey. Players are the most accountable for this current mess.
- PLindbergh31

The dumb stems from the lack of discipline instilled and the lack of accountability. The coach benched Hartnell last night, but Briere had the 4th highest ice time among forwards. Coburn continues to lead the team in ice time. The younger players aren't learning to be disciplined two way players because there's no repercussion for bad play.

Hell, if Hartnell hadn't had that penalty, he would have stayed on the top line, despite his poor play.

In the meantime, while everyone is whipping on Couturier, fellow 2nd year player Brayden Schenn is back to scuffling again offensively, too. Pointless in his last seven games, two points (assists) in the last 10 games, hasn't scored a goal since Feb 23. He's minus-10 over that span, and also took that awful penalty in the New Jersey game.
- bmeltzer

i'm not whipping coots. he's been lousy, but when everything is taken into consideration, not the least of which, his age and he's only in his 2nd year, i have very little issue with him. he'll turn out.

schenn has been pretty lousy recently, no question.

neither player is going anywhere, nor should they, unless an insane return was on the table, which won't happen.

Too much dumb to blame the coach. Time and time again we have seen this team take the most undisciplined of penalties, constant shooting and missing the net. Sure Laviolette is culpable to some degree of blame. But this is a classic case of a team underachieving and playing stupid hockey. Players are the most accountable for this current mess.
- PLindbergh31

Don't you think the coach should be able to coach, some of the dumb out of them? Also how many too many men on the ice do I have to see before its the coach's fault?

One of grossman, schenn, coburn needs to go. For the first time ever I think coburn could get moved. He would bring back far more than the other two. It's just not a good mix right now. Coburn will bring back a mid to late #1 at the very least.
- Just5

I would move Coburn and I would be shocked if they got a 1st for him. Hope you're right.

I'm not so sure Couturier would have cracked the Bruins roster yet.
- PLindbergh31

With his defensive ability, I think he would have a good chance.

We didnt tank we just plain out sucked, trust me i remember when Richard Tarnstrom lead our team in points, and Rico Fata was on our 1st line.
- nbartley9

What about that season where you had Crosby getting 100 points, Recchi, Gonchar, Orpik, Talbot, Malone, Scuderi, and Fleury in net?

Coburn's regression is more of a concern. What was doing on that penalty last night where he just tackled the guy along the boards?
- Feanor

I think Coburn's struggles have to do with them putting him into the role of being the #1 or #2 dman when he's just a good #3 or #4. A lot of minutes plus some added offensive responsibility aren't what Coburn is cut out for.

Yeah, I have my own Mezcal story. It'll have to wait until I see you again; it's not family forum friendly.
- tangent_man

I'm trying to get up a Lebowski night. You can regale us then.

The dumb stems from the lack of discipline instilled and the lack of accountability. The coach benched Hartnell last night, but Briere had the 4th highest ice time among forwards. Coburn continues to lead the team in ice time. The younger players aren't learning to be disciplined two way players because there's no repercussion for bad play.

Hell, if Hartnell hadn't had that penalty, he would have stayed on the top line, despite his poor play.
- Jsaquella

Who is currently playing well on this team? If Laviolette is going to start reducing ice time for players who aren't performing, he's going to have about 6 players to use.

Couturier's regression this year is just one of the nut punches in a season that has been full of them.
- PLindbergh31

At this point, my hope for this season is to see young players, specifically Couts, overcome their personal troubles. Exorcise this poop season and its effects.

I think it is a true combination of a coach utilizing high risk/high reward system (see that as total lack of team defense), our vets underachieving, and our young guys going through some growing pains.
- jak521

a-yup!

It's all a microcosm of a dead team. They are so frustrated and unable to come out of it. The confidence of the team has been destroyed. They play with effort and play hard, but lack that extra gear. Because the more they try, the more that goes wrong. And it all starts with the structure of the team and how they've played all year. They are so poor defensively as a team. That's where it all starts.
- MJL

Holmgren blaming their effort last week was a poor coverup. They don't lack effort but direction and cohesion. When a plan is set and players believe in it. Board battles start getting won

What about that season where you had Crosby getting 100 points, Recchi, Gonchar, Orpik, Talbot, Malone, Scuderi, and Fleury in net?
- jmatchett

I think Crosby's rookie year in 2005-06 was the last time they sucked.

In the meantime, while everyone is whipping on Couturier, fellow 2nd year player Brayden Schenn is back to scuffling again offensively, too. Pointless in his last seven games, two points (assists) in the last 10 games, hasn't scored a goal since Feb 23. He's minus-10 over that span, and also took that awful penalty in the New Jersey game.
- bmeltzer

I'm not sure why Schenn escapes criticism as much as he does.

Not for nothing but this poll speaks volumes to the inform level of the people who took it, generally speaking
- JoeRussomanno

Yeah. I was surprised. I figured injuries/Lavi would be at the top with Bryz making a strong run for the second "issue".

I would move Coburn and I would be shocked if they got a 1st for him. Hope you're right.
- BOSS_TWEED

Everyone except Vorachek is having a poor year. The three players coming back from significant injury are having trouble getting into mid season form. It is a complete team slump.
Part of the problem is lack of defensive depth. I'm not sure I follow the logic of solving this by trading defensemen

In the meantime, while everyone is whipping on Couturier, fellow 2nd year player Brayden Schenn is back to scuffling again offensively, too. Pointless in his last seven games, two points (assists) in the last 10 games, hasn't scored a goal since Feb 23. He's minus-10 over that span, and also took that awful penalty in the New Jersey game.
- bmeltzer

I think the dip in Schenn's play coincided with Briere landing on his line with Simmonds. The last ten games vs the rest of the season, Schenn has had almost double the time on a line with Briere.

It's like Danny's a black hole.

I'm not sure why Schenn escapes criticism as much as he does.
- shekkie

You try and skate with Danny. It's a lot of weight on his shoulders. Simmonds and Briere are practically useless on 2/3 of the ice

Don't you think the coach should be able to coach, some of the dumb out of them? Also how many too many men on the ice do I have to see before its the coach's fault?
- JoeRussomanno

7 too many men penalties so far this season. That leads the NHL. To be honest I do not know if bad line changes are on the coaching staff or players. I would say a little of both.

Who is currently playing well on this team? If Laviolette is going to start reducing ice time for players who aren't performing, he's going to have about 6 players to use.
- PLindbergh31

Nobody, really. But he can start rewarding guys like Talbot with PP time, rather than running Briere out there. He could play Couturier in a more offensive role and try to get him going, rather than burying him after every mistake.

Last night was the first time we've seen Rinaldo get a bump up in ice time, despite being a very effective player all season long.