Its much easier to change one man and a system than it is to change 21 guys. I dont blame Homer. Last year when they were decimated by injuries and changed the way the played, they went on a streak with a ahl defense. Im sorry for Lavy, but to try and force something that isnt working is maddening to the fans and must be intolerable to the players. Stuborness and ego go hand in hand. I fully expect the meltdown to happen by november. The earlier the better.
- PhillaBully

No question about it. If Laviolette is fired, I believe Holmgren will go too.

A lot of talk about coaching in here. Who do you guys want to replace Lavy ? is there even much out there right now in terms of available coaches ? A guy like Boucher or maybe a softer guy like Kruger ?
- blizzzard

The pickings are slim now. They should have gone after Tippet or Eakins in the offseason.

A lot of talk about coaching in here. Who do you guys want to replace Lavy ? is there even much out there right now in terms of available coaches ? A guy like Boucher or maybe a softer guy like Kruger ?
- blizzzard

For the interim, I'd promote Terry Murray.

Hasnt he tried to do just that? We have a completely different roster (save 4 players) since Lava took over, we have gone out and attempted to get top end D-men... The GM sure as hell looks like he is trying to get players... but how does he know which players will be ok in this system?

Im sure the coach and he have talks about the types of players that work best. But then again, maybe the system is what needs some adjusting. Lava is a bit too bull headed. He is a very proud man, but that is eventually going to be his undoing...
- jak521

Laviolette has seen his system win a Stanley Cup, and get to withing two games of winning another Stanley Cup. I understand why he is reluctant to change.

I think Raffle has absolutely earned a roster spot. For a player who is an NHL rookie, and is playing in the small rink of the NA game for the first time, he's shown a lot of promise. He's a player that is going to need some adjustment time.
- MJL

He is going to need time, especially because he's going from Allsvenskan (not even the SHL) direct to the NHL. That's a huge step up, and even Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- albeit younger and a defenseman -- ended up benefitting from some AHL time as an intermediate step in the transition to North American hockey after bypassing what was formerly Elitserien. I mention OEL because he's a player with All-Star caliber upside at a tougher position who made the same big jump in level of competition. Raffl isn't a prodigy but could be a useful role player if given enough time to adjust.

A lot of talk about coaching in here. Who do you guys want to replace Lavy ? is there even much out there right now in terms of available coaches ? A guy like Boucher or maybe a softer guy like Kruger ?
- blizzzard

Steve Spott was a popular name, if you can pry him away mid-season during his first year with the Marlies.

Or just give Scotty Bowman a blank check.

I really don't understand why they have tried to use the same breakout against the Devils for the last three years with next to zero success. I watched the game with a Devils fan and it was so easy to predict exactly what was going to happen. Extremely frustrating.

No question about it. If Laviolette is fired, I believe Holmgren will go too.
- PLindbergh31

I think Holmgren's jub is pretty secure.

A lot of talk about coaching in here. Who do you guys want to replace Lavy ? is there even much out there right now in terms of available coaches ? A guy like Boucher or maybe a softer guy like Kruger ?
- blizzzard

That's a good question. I wouldn't be opposed to Boucher. I would certainly prefer him over a retread like Murray.

A lot of talk about coaching in here. Who do you guys want to replace Lavy ? is there even much out there right now in terms of available coaches ? A guy like Boucher or maybe a softer guy like Kruger ?
- blizzzard

This is pretty much the reason why a mid-season coaching change is usually not the best idea... your pool of candidates is pretty much confined to in-house options or guys without a current job -- all the best NHL guys, AHL guys and CHL guys are spoken for.

Honestly, I think the biggest preseason positive (up to this point) has been that there haven't been any injuries that would keep someone out long term. Most of the veterans look to ready to go. Couturier added muscle in the offseason and has been pretty consistently good in his preseason games. Emery played solidly overall in his starts to date.

The biggest negative: there have been no signs of improvement yet in the primary trouble areas that plagued the team last season.

As for Lecavalier, he has always been the type of player who goes stretches where you hardly notice him and then suddenly strikes. He had a strong first appearance in the preseason and then mostly just put in his time getting familiarized with the system and various teammates. In the game on Tuesday, he did have a pair of pretty good scoring chances, but just didn't finish them against Schneider (who played very well). Vinny is among the least of my concerns.
- bmeltzer

Very fair and I also love you're willingness to answer questions in the comments section even from fans of other teams and that is something I hold high. I am really hoping Schneider plays the majority of the games he could get us in the play offs I believe. Also is Voracek expected to play tonight ? I apologize if it's in the blog I haven't read it yet

He is going to need time, especially because he's going from Allsvenskan (not even the SHL) direct to the NHL. That's a huge step up, and even Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- albeit younger and a defenseman -- ended up benefitting from some AHL time as an intermediate step in the transition to North American hockey after bypassing what was formerly Elitserien. I mention OEL because he's a player with All-Star caliber upside at a tougher position who made the same big jump in level of competition. Raffl isn't a prodigy but could be a useful role player if given enough time to adjust.
- bmeltzer

The problem is that there doesn't seem to really be a surefire 3rd line winger. I really wish they'd let Talbot play there and would have started McGinn on the 4th line wing. But that's not gonna happen, at least not from the start.

Any word on whether or not Akeson's earned that 1st line wing spot?

I really don't understand why they have tried to use the same breakout against the Devils for the last three years with next to zero success. I watched the game with a Devils fan and it was so easy to predict exactly what was going to happen. Extremely frustrating.
- phatpat44

Dead on! Not really that complicated is it? The Devils know exactly where the puck is going.

Laviolette has seen his system win a Stanley Cup, and get to withing two games of winning another Stanley Cup. I understand why he is reluctant to change.
- PLindbergh31

Other teams in the division have been watching his teams play for years now and have devised ways to shut them down. Laviolette has no answer.

A lot of talk about coaching in here. Who do you guys want to replace Lavy ? is there even much out there right now in terms of available coaches ? A guy like Boucher or maybe a softer guy like Kruger ?
- blizzzard

If (and when) it happens I would love to see Terry Murray come in and force this team to play two way hockey. THEN I wouldnt mind seeing a guy like Willie Desjardins... Guy did a number in the WHL and has just continued to do well since, (first as an Assistant with Dallas) and now their AHL head coach. I believe he also won coach of the year in the AHL this past year. I wanna see fresh air, and I believe Desjardins could provide that..

Other guys I MIGHT be interested in.. Paul Maurice or Scott Arniel

Very fair and I also love you're willingness to answer questions in the comments section even from fans of other teams and that is something I hold high. I am really hoping Schneider plays the majority of the games he could get us in the play offs I believe. Also is Voracek expected to play tonight ? I apologize if it's in the blog I haven't read it yet
- blizzzard

Yes, Voracek's expected back tonight. He wasn't slated to play last night even before his injury.

No question about it. If Laviolette is fired, I believe Holmgren will go too.
- PLindbergh31

I love carousel rides... weeeee!

Other teams in the division have been watching his teams play for years now and have devised ways to shut them down. Laviolette has no answer.
- Feanor

Well if he has no answers, he will be gone fairly quickly.

This is pretty much the reason why a mid-season coaching change is usually not the best idea... your pool of candidates is pretty much confined to in-house options or guys without a current job -- all the best NHL guys, AHL guys and CHL guys are spoken for.
- Tomahawk

It's a better idea then to continue letting the team flounder under the current Coach. An interim Coach can come in a right the ship. If he's not a permanent fit, then the search can begin in the off season.

I love carousel rides... weeeee!
- Tomahawk

What GM's survive a contract like Bryzgalov's? I understand that decision was heavily made by the owner, but there lies the huge issue. You have an 80+ year old man making personnel decisions.

This is pretty much the reason why a mid-season coaching change is usually not the best idea... your pool of candidates is pretty much confined to in-house options or guys without a current job -- all the best NHL guys, AHL guys and CHL guys are spoken for.
- Tomahawk

Everything I read about Kruger seemed to be positive I think he just didn't get a real shot as soon as Eakins became available I always liked Boucher as well and Mueller or Muller In Carolina right now I believe? lol A guy I really liked in Jersey was Sutter but he left to be with his brother in Calgary and that never worked out for him.

It's a better idea then to continue letting the team flounder under the current Coach. An interim Coach can come in a right the ship. If he's not a permanent fit, then the search can begin in the off season.
- MJL

There was a window this past summer where Tippett was available...

If (and when) it happens I would love to see Terry Murray come in and force this team to play two way hockey. THEN I wouldnt mind seeing a guy like Willie Desjardins... Guy did a number in the WHL and has just continued to do well since, (first as an Assistant with Dallas) and now their AHL head coach. I believe he also won coach of the year in the AHL this past year. I wanna see fresh air, and I believe Desjardins could provide that..

Other guys I MIGHT be interested in.. Paul Maurice or Scott Arniel
- jak521

If youu're going to hire Maurice, might as well keep Laviolette. Very similar in style of play.

You just outlined a pretty compelling case for why he should start in ADK.
- Tomahawk

Bill thinks he looks like pyorala and while he's had his moments, i'd tend to agree. no one to get overly excited about.

Bill thinks he looks like pyorala and while he's had his moments, i'd tend to agree. no one to get overly excited about.
- isaiah520

I'm not saying in time these guys won't be NHL players. My point was none of them have done anything to make an NHL roster. They all can use more time getting acclimated. That time shouldn't be spent at the NHL level.