“I’m not getting off the plan that I set out in the summer time,” Hextall said. “We’re heading in the same direction. We’re off track right now a little bit for this season, but I am not going to do something that’s gonna hurt our future to try to get a few points or make the playoffs now.

“I believe we still have a good enough team to make the playoffs, but I’m not sacrificing anybody or our future to try to make this team better right now. If the right deal comes alone, then I will look at it.”

Hextall today

I don't blame Berube, benching VL shows that he's holding players accountable. But every coach has his favorites.
He can only play the cards he's dealt.
- puckhead17

Except he isn't. Grossmann has dressed for every game. Coburn has dressed every game he's been healthy for. He's yet to scratch Umberger. He's still burying Couturier with D-zone starts and criticizing his offense.

Berube is not the only issue facing this team. He isn't even the biggest. But to hold him blameless....I disagree.

“I’m not getting off the plan that I set out in the summer time,” Hextall said. “We’re heading in the same direction. We’re off track right now a little bit for this season, but I am not going to do something that’s gonna hurt our future to try to get a few points or make the playoffs now.

“I believe we still have a good enough team to make the playoffs, but I’m not sacrificing anybody or our future to try to make this team better right now. If the right deal comes alone, then I will look at it.”

Hextall today

- Just5

So far he's been true to his word. Hope it lasts.

So far he's been true to his word. Hope it lasts.
- Jsaquella

I think he sticks to his guns. Hexy never struck me as the guy to second guess himself.

I still don't like the Rinaldo deal but Im pretty convinced it was his plan all along to buyout RJ next July, in which case I can't get all that upset with that trade.

I think we're all getting a little ahead of ourselves with the whole tanking thing though. As bad as this team has played they are still miles ahead of the Sabres and Oilers and I see them climbing out of this hole sooner or later. Maybe not a playoff team, but in a 82 game season I just can't see them picking top 5( unless they win the lotto, suffer some big injuries or start trading vets)

I think he sticks to his guns. Hexy never struck me as the guy to second guess himself.

I still don't like the Rinaldo deal but Im pretty convinced it was his plan all along to buyout RJ next July, in which case I can't get all that upset with that trade.

I think we're all getting a little ahead of ourselves with the whole tanking thing though. As bad as this team has played they are still miles ahead of the Sabres and Oilers and I see them climbing out of this hole sooner or later. Maybe not a playoff team, but in a 82 game season I just can't see them picking top 5( unless they win the lotto, suffer some big injuries or start trading vets)
- hereticpride

Regardless of where they are in the standings, I'm all for dealing vets at or around the TDL. They need to get picks for this draft and should be able to get something for some of their defensemen.

Except he isn't. Grossmann has dressed for every game. Coburn has dressed every game he's been healthy for. He's yet to scratch Umberger. He's still burying Couturier with D-zone starts and criticizing his offense.

Berube is not the only issue facing this team. He isn't even the biggest. But to hold him blameless....I disagree.
- Jsaquella

No, He does have his issues, when you examine more closely.

Coburn seems immune to criticism when it comes to his turnovers, coverage.

Grossmann hasn't played as poorly as some of the others, (sorry, I know you dislike the guy), but he does utilize the strengths he possesses.

He may feel Umberger can still turn things around, benching he, and VL together?
Then there's the Akeson issue, seems the kid never received a chance.

Tough to find a coach where everyone is agreeable to all the moves they make.

So far he's been true to his word. Hope it lasts.
- Jsaquella

I sure hope it does.

No, He does have his issues, when you examine more closely.

Coburn seems immune to criticism when it comes to his turnovers, coverage.

Grossmann hasn't played as poorly as some of the others, (sorry, I know you dislike the guy), but he does utilize the strengths he possesses.

He may feel Umberger can still turn things around, benching he, and VL together?
Then there's the Akeson issue, seems the kid never received a chance.

Tough to find a coach where everyone is agreeable to all the moves they make.
- puckhead17

Grossmann has been every bit as bad as Schenn or MacDonald or Del Zotto over the last ten games or so. I like Del Zotto and freely admit his game has dropped, along with everybody else. That's the issue-it's a bunch of guys playing poorly, but some are immune to being benched. Sends a bad message.

I'm not asking for him to be agreeable on every move, and honestly I like some of what he did. The Laughton-Simmonds line with Raffl & Then Brayden Schenn. I do like that he was willing to bench Lecavalier and MacDonald.

Also, I'm not calling for him to be fired, at least not right now. Maybe in a month or two, or at the end of the year. Who knows, maybe he turns it around and earns more time.

“I’m not getting off the plan that I set out in the summer time,” Hextall said. “We’re heading in the same direction. We’re off track right now a little bit for this season, but I am not going to do something that’s gonna hurt our future to try to get a few points or make the playoffs now.

“I believe we still have a good enough team to make the playoffs, but I’m not sacrificing anybody or our future to try to make this team better right now. If the right deal comes alone, then I will look at it.”

Hextall today

- Just5

Making a reactionary trade due to the current situation is the worst thing that he could do.

Grossmann has been every bit as bad as Schenn or MacDonald or Del Zotto over the last ten games or so. I like Del Zotto and freely admit his game has dropped, along with everybody else. That's the issue-it's a bunch of guys playing poorly, but some are immune to being benched. Sends a bad message.

I'm not asking for him to be agreeable on every move, and honestly I like some of what he did. The Laughton-Simmonds line with Raffl & Then Brayden Schenn. I do like that he was willing to bench Lecavalier and MacDonald.

Also, I'm not calling for him to be fired, at least not right now. Maybe in a month or two, or at the end of the year. Who knows, maybe he turns it around and earns more time.
- Jsaquella

I don't agree that it sends a bad message. I'm quite sure that Berube is communicating to the players why they are scratched, and also sure that the players talk among themselves. I don't think anyone is immune to being benched. Berube made a statement when asked why a player was scratched, and he stated that it's an individual player thing. I think except in the case of Lecavalier, he has scratched Del Zotto and MacDonald for a purpose. And it's not to punish the players because they made individual mistakes. Benching a player like Grossmann doesn't serve any purpose. Grossmann gives everything he's got, on every shift. Benching or scratching Grossmann isn't going to make him a better passer or skater. So much of the criticism of Berube is made without much thought behind it. Del Zotto wasn't scratched because he played so poorly. He was scratched because he can be so much better then he's playing, and he needed a reminder of that. This is a player that the last two seasons, lost his game. He started slow and then for a period was really good this season. Berube isn't punishing him, he's pushing him. Same with MacDonald. With Grossmann, what you see is what you get.

“I’m not getting off the plan that I set out in the summer time,” Hextall said. “We’re heading in the same direction. We’re off track right now a little bit for this season, but I am not going to do something that’s gonna hurt our future to try to get a few points or make the playoffs now.

“I believe we still have a good enough team to make the playoffs, but I’m not sacrificing anybody or our future to try to make this team better right now. If the right deal comes alone, then I will look at it.”

Hextall today

- Just5

that's exactly what he should be doing. perfect.

So far he's been true to his word. Hope it lasts.
- Jsaquella

he will. i imagine hextall having chelios pinatas in his office slashing the poop out of them on a daily basis. it's how he keeps it together.

he will. i imagine hextall having chelios pinatas in his office slashing the poop out of the on a daily basis. it' how he keeps it together.
- hammarby31

He learned during his early years in LA that you need to be patient. I just wish Holmgren held onto more picks during his last year or so.

Grossmann has been every bit as bad as Schenn or MacDonald or Del Zotto over the last ten games or so. I like Del Zotto and freely admit his game has dropped, along with everybody else. That's the issue-it's a bunch of guys playing poorly, but some are immune to being benched. Sends a bad message.

I'm not asking for him to be agreeable on every move, and honestly I like some of what he did. The Laughton-Simmonds line with Raffl & Then Brayden Schenn. I do like that he was willing to bench Lecavalier and MacDonald.

Also, I'm not calling for him to be fired, at least not right now. Maybe in a month or two, or at the end of the year. Who knows, maybe he turns it around and earns more time.
- Jsaquella

I agree with the Simmonds, Laughton, Schenn line as well, I think Simmonds struggles were partly attributed to finding a center to gel with, (albeit on the right side, not the left).
I'm not sure, (if they were to let Berube go), who they would replace him with?

Not going to debate Grossmann. I don't think he's been that bad. Although, with 7 defensemen available, (not counting Carlo, as he's here as an insurance policy only), I don't know if he should be scratching a different guy every 2 games or so?
Maybe the guy with the most unforced turnovers gets the hook, (not counting Coburn, of course).

I don't agree that it sends a bad message. I'm quite sure that Berube is communicating to the players why they are scratched, and also sure that the players talk among themselves. I don't think anyone is immune to being benched. Berube made a statement when asked why a player was scratched, and he stated that it's an individual player thing. I think except in the case of Lecavalier, he has scratched Del Zotto and MacDonald for a purpose. And it's not to punish the players because they made individual mistakes. Benching a player like Grossmann doesn't serve any purpose. Grossmann gives everything he's got, on every shift. Benching or scratching Grossmann isn't going to make him a better passer or skater. So much of the criticism of Berube is made without much thought behind it. Del Zotto wasn't scratched because he played so poorly. He was scratched because he can be so much better then he's playing, and he needed a reminder of that. This is a player that the last two seasons, lost his game. He started slow and then for a period was really good this season. Berube isn't punishing him, he's pushing him. Same with MacDonald. With Grossmann, what you see is what you get.
- MJL

Agreed!
The guy is a warrior on every shift, expecting him to do more would be like asking Erik Karrlson to be a "stay at home" guy.

I agree with the Simmonds, Laughton, Schenn line as well, I think Simmonds struggles were partly attributed to finding a center to gel with, (albeit on the right side, not the left).
I'm not sure, (if they were to let Berube go), who they would replace him with?

Not going to debate Grossmann, I don't think he's been that bad. Although, with 7 defensemen available, (not counting Carlo, as he's here as an insurance policy only), I don't know if he should be scratching a different guy every 2 games or so?
Maybe the guy with the most unforced turnovers gets the hook, (not counting Coburn, of course).
- puckhead17

Lecavalier is scratched simply because he isn't scoring, and when he's not scoring, he doesn't bring any value to the team.

Schenn being scratched is a numbers game, and he hasn't played well.
Del Zotto and MacDonald were scratched for a specific purpose.

This team is not confident, and they are pressing. If Berube just starts scratching everybody and taking turns who he scratches, that is what will really send a bad message, and in turn he will lose the team. That's not the right way to coach this team right now.

As Berube said, each player is an individual situation.

He learned during his early years in LA that you need to be patient. I just wish Holmgren held onto more picks during his last year or so.
- Jsaquella

absolutely. homer quickly built a good, competitive team. bet the farm, and fell short. then i think he started grasping a bit trying to replace pronger etc and the team has regressed a lot.

there are some good pieces here, some promising ones developing in various places, and i hope a huge gem in the draft this year. even if they miraculously made the playoffs, there is an infinitesimal chance they'd win the cup. if there's a time to miss the playoffs, it's now. i gain zero satisfaction out of being middle of the road, missing, and getting a lesser prospect. get the goods.

Agreed!
The guy is a warrior on every shift, expecting him to do more would be like asking Erik Karrlson to be a "stay at home" guy.
- puckhead17

Scratching Grossmann would serve absolutely zero purpose.

absolutely. homer quickly built a good, competitive team. bet the farm, and fell short. then i think he started grasping a bit trying to replace pronger etc and the team has regressed a lot.

there are some good pieces here, some promising ones developing in various places, and i hope a huge gem in the draft this year. even if they miraculously made the playoffs, there is an infinitesimal chance they'd win the cup. if there's a time to miss the playoffs, it's now. i gain zero satisfaction out of being middle of the road, missing, and getting a lesser prospect. get the goods.
- hammarby31

We all have fun with the idea of tanking and how great it is. The truth is. If this team remains bottom 5 ( I dont think they finish bottom 10) without sustaining critical injuries, then there is something seriously wrong with the core of young players that they invested in, and everybody by years end should be on the table tradewise

I agree with the Simmonds, Laughton, Schenn line as well, I think Simmonds struggles were partly attributed to finding a center to gel with, (albeit on the right side, not the left).
I'm not sure, (if they were to let Berube go), who they would replace him with?

Not going to debate Grossmann, I don't think he's been that bad. Although, with 7 defensemen available, (not counting Carlo, as he's here as an insurance policy only), I don't know if he should be scratching a different guy every 2 games or so?
Maybe the guy with the most unforced turnovers gets the hook, (not counting Coburn, of course).
- puckhead17

I think that with 8 defensemen-Colaiacovo has been solid when he's played-You have the luxury of being able to bench guys who underperform.

I just think when you have two or three guys that get benched, and other guys who are making the same mistakes and playing just as poorly as the guys getting scratched, it's counter productive.

I get the concept of using a scratch to motivate a player. I also understand the concept of icing the best team possible. The effort rationale can be used, for sure, but if the guy is responsible for goals against it hurts the team-whether he's working hard or not.

The idea shouldn't have to be to punish or light a fire. It can also be an idea to get the best possible line up on the ice. It's tiresome to keep seeing guys who make mistakes and cost the team goals and needless penalties keep getting opportunity after opportunity because they "work hard"

As far as a replacement, that's one of the main reasons I am willing to wait and see if he can turn it around. The only options are a guy like Terry Murray or an unemployed retread like John Tortorella.

absolutely. homer quickly built a good, competitive team. bet the farm, and fell short. then i think he started grasping a bit trying to replace pronger etc and the team has regressed a lot.

there are some good pieces here, some promising ones developing in various places, and i hope a huge gem in the draft this year. even if they miraculously made the playoffs, there is an infinitesimal chance they'd win the cup. if there's a time to miss the playoffs, it's now. i gain zero satisfaction out of being middle of the road, missing, and getting a lesser prospect. get the goods.
- hammarby31

There are good pieces here. There's probably more to build on here than a lot of places. There's also ownership that is more than willing to help financially, which gives Hextall more freedom than Lombardi had in LA.

Agreed!
The guy is a warrior on every shift, expecting him to do more would be like asking Erik Karrlson to be a "stay at home" guy.
- puckhead17

I'm not asking him to do more. I'm asking him not to get beat down low. I'm asking him not to make stupid pinches that lead to odd man rushes against. I'm asking him not to blow coverages. I'm asking him to not commit bad turnovers in his own end of the ice. He's been doing all these things, quite often of late.

I'm not asking him to quarterback a powerplay, I'm asking him to be a smart, physical stay at home guy, who doesn't make mistakes on routine plays. Unfortunately, he hasn't been that guy very often this season.

I think that with 8 defensemen-Colaiacovo has been solid when he's played-You have the luxury of being able to bench guys who underperform.

I just think when you have two or three guys that get benched, and other guys who are making the same mistakes and playing just as poorly as the guys getting scratched, it's counter productive.

I get the concept of using a scratch to motivate a player. I also understand the concept of icing the best team possible. The effort rationale can be used, for sure, but if the guy is responsible for goals against it hurts the team-whether he's working hard or not.

The idea shouldn't have to be to punish or light a fire. It can also be an idea to get the best possible line up on the ice. It's tiresome to keep seeing guys who make mistakes and cost the team goals and needless penalties keep getting opportunity after opportunity because they "work hard"

As far as a replacement, that's one of the main reasons I am willing to wait and see if he can turn it around. The only options are a guy like Terry Murray or an unemployed retread like John Tortorella.
- Jsaquella

The entire team with the exception of Giroux, Voracek, and Mason has underperformed. I'll give Emery a pass also.
Berube has not scratched players for making individual mistakes. I don't see any reason why Colaiacovo should play. He was signed as an emergency defenseman, was probably told what the situation was, and he is in the same boat at Hal Gill was last year.

We all have fun with the idea of tanking and how great it is. The truth is. If this team remains bottom 5 ( I dont think they finish bottom 10) without sustaining critical injuries, then there is something seriously wrong with the core of young players that they invested in, and everybody by years end should be on the table tradewise
- Just5

i disagree with "seriously wrong". it's possible for it all to go wrong and then snowball. there are good pieces here. also bad pieces. the bad pieces need to be moved. the forwards SHOULD be better than they've been. the mix on d is terrible. individually, i don't think any of them are bad players, even schenn, but as a group, poop show.

if we could move 3 d and 3 forwards, this could be a significantly improved team in short order. 6 players is a lot of turnover in 1 season. not likely.

I think that with 8 defensemen-Colaiacovo has been solid when he's played-You have the luxury of being able to bench guys who underperform.

I just think when you have two or three guys that get benched, and other guys who are making the same mistakes and playing just as poorly as the guys getting scratched, it's counter productive.

I get the concept of using a scratch to motivate a player. I also understand the concept of icing the best team possible. The effort rationale can be used, for sure, but if the guy is responsible for goals against it hurts the team-whether he's working hard or not.

The idea shouldn't have to be to punish or light a fire. It can also be an idea to get the best possible line up on the ice. It's tiresome to keep seeing guys who make mistakes and cost the team goals and needless penalties keep getting opportunity after opportunity because they "work hard"

As far as a replacement, that's one of the main reasons I am willing to wait and see if he can turn it around. The only options are a guy like Terry Murray or an unemployed retread like John Tortorella.
- Jsaquella

Carlo has played well, but I think he's pretty much slotted #8 barring a trade.

I guess if scratching a player because of turnovers/mistakes was the main criteria we'd see Braden Schenn out, (he's had a few bad ones on the road trip that were costly).

In bold, just his name as an example, but not seriously?

I wonder if VL gets another shot?
I would hate to see Laughton