It's not nothing, that's a stupid statement, he tried to accelerate the process and it didn't work. For a guy who would rather draft I wish he wouldn't have done that. But to defend it by saying drafting is nothing is ridiculous.
- LeftCoaster

Its ridiculous stating any 2nd or 5th will be a guanteed NHLer.
Besides the past is over the presnt & future r all that count.

Well we will disagree on this, Willie had success in other leagues, and he will adapt and have success in the NHL or he will be let go.

And I'm not so sure about your statement that it's not learnable, so you saying you have to be born with tactical abilities? You constantly criticize Willie's abilities, were you born with that ability?
- Makita

its a fact throughout history. Some are front line warriors, some supporting, and then some are generals. The generals have it and thats why theyre generals.

Ya I tend to see tactical play and strategies. It kind of leaps out at me. Back in the 90's it helped me get an unbeaten MMA record. It works using this against more skilled competitors.
We can look to the tyson / holyfield fights to see how a strategy wins fights. Or in MMA Severn / shamrock....submitted in 2.5 min letting severn do this game and come to the trap

or gracie in any fight he had

He reminds me of Willie long stick Mitchell
- VANTEL

thats prob fair comparison

They aren't nothing, every pick has a value otherwise the number of picks would be unlimited.
- 1970vintage

Leafs fan?

Value is a commodity. Hindsight is in the rear view mirror.

thats prob fair comparison
- SMBDragon

I love Willie ( in a non sexual way)

If it is a weak draft they might give it up
- VANTEL

Supposedly no highend guys but good depth at all positions in the first three rounds is what Im reading

History shows you need a strong team to win, yes there's the odd occasion but in order to win you must have a really strong team! That's my point! So build one....please.

http://www.puckreport.com...and-stanley-cup-wins.html
- LeftCoaster

You do, but the difference between some of these teams and being several spots below is minimal. For example Chicago being the 4 seed (great find btw on the link), finished with 48 wins and 102 points. Vancouver had 48 wins, 101 points, Minnesota 100 points and Winnipeg 99. Even last year the difference between Pittsburgh being 2nd in the conference or 5th was 4 points, and SJ was 6th in the west, 2 points up on 7th.

My point was just that since the salary cap was implemented, and then the last lockout where they fixed the cap circumvention contracts, parity has increased. The games are much closer (as we are seeing this year with all the 1 goal victories) and there isnt much separating many of the teams. I am all for going for the playoffs and seeing what happens, even if it just gets the youth 4 extra games of experience on the year in a sweep

its a fact throughout history. Some are front line warriors, some supporting, and then some are generals. The generals have it and thats why theyre generals.

Ya I tend to see tactical play and strategies. It kind of leaps out at me. Back in the 90's it helped me get an unbeaten MMA record. It works using this against more skilled competitors.
We can look to the tyson / holyfield fights to see how a strategy wins fights. Or in MMA Severn / shamrock....submitted in 2.5 min letting severn do this game and come to the trap

or gracie in any fight he had
- SMBDragon

I think Makita's point was that things can be learned. I think there are leadership qualities that can be learned, and to some people strategy/tactics come easier but all have to be learned from somewhere.

A more appropriate example would be chess. Its a game entirely of strategy, but no one is born able to play chess. You learn the game and moves and strategies, and the more you learn different variations of strategies the better you get at recognizing which one your opponent is implementing and how to counter it. That is why I think (and agree with) Makita, that WD and his team should be better prepared the next time they are in the playoffs as they should have learned a few things

This winning streak is going to prove how fickle our fan base is.
We (I) know it's a mirage, but some people might actually think this team is really good .
- Scooby_Doo

Montreal started 9-0 last year and missed the playoffs

Its ridiculous stating any 2nd or 5th will be a guanteed NHLer.
Besides the past is over the presnt & future r all that count.
- Nighthawk

Let's say 25% of 2nd round picks become NHL regulars. If you get 4 picks over 2 years instead of zero you gain one NHL regular.

I think Makita's point was that things can be learned. I think there are leadership qualities that can be learned, and to some people strategy/tactics come easier but all have to be learned from somewhere.

A more appropriate example would be chess. Its a game entirely of strategy, but no one is born able to play chess. You learn the game and moves and strategies, and the more you learn different variations of strategies the better you get at recognizing which one your opponent is implementing and how to counter it. That is why I think (and agree with) Makita, that WD and his team should be better prepared the next time they are in the playoffs as they should have learned a few things
- WhiteLie

I like your analogy and its a valid point. perhaps there is some amount that is learnable.
Some will always be better or worse. I doubt championship level is learnable. Do we want beginner to intermediate level? I'd rather have a cup. Those coaches are rare.
If we have that in Jarvis, malhotra or green then so be it

Again...I said if all goes their way, no injuries, they might be a bubble team, best case scenario. If things don't go well, they're a bottom team because they don't have any highend talent.

I understand it's a feel good storey for you right now, I'm happy they're winning, but I'm looking at a bigger picture. This team is not too dissimilar to the team that got their asses handed to them by Calgary a few years ago, they're not a championship caliber team.

I want a Cup....not 8th place.
- LeftCoaster

Then don't watch them for a few years? I'll enjoy watching them win along the way even if they get stomped in the first round of the playoffs

I like your analogy and its a valid point. perhaps there is some amount that is learnable.
Some will always be better or worse. I doubt championship level is learnable. Do we want beginner to intermediate level? I'd rather have a cup. Those coaches are rare.
If we have that in Jarvis, malhotra or green then so be it
- SMBDragon

Say that to any coach who has won a cup for the first time.

I criticize management for falsely reaching for the playoffs when they have zero chance to win, so what's the point?
- LeftCoaster

Sorry Lefty, but this is a stupid comment. You are old and probably witnessed the Stanley cup run in 82 and 94....make the playoffs and anything can happen. Pittsburg won last year with a horrific defense and a rookie goaltender

He comes across as one, my opinion. But I like his drafting
- LeftCoaster

He is a poor public speaker....who the frank cares

Sorry Lefty, but this is a stupid comment. You are old and probably witnessed the Stanley cup run in 82 and 94....make the playoffs and anything can happen. Pittsburg won last year with a horrific defense and a rookie goaltender
- CanuckDon

Plan the parade riot!

Say that to any coach who has won a cup for the first time.
- Codes1087

Im talking of the vision required to see the changes unfold. I think what is learnable is how to counter.

Granlund is looking good now, I was wrong

Same with Sbisa, I was wrong again


Jim is a lot smarter than anyone in here
- VANTEL

Shocking that he knows more than the genius armchair GM's in Carol's blog

Sorry Lefty, but this is a stupid comment. You are old and probably witnessed the Stanley cup run in 82 and 94....make the playoffs and anything can happen. Pittsburg won last year with a horrific defense and a rookie goaltender
- CanuckDon

This has largely been proven to be false. But carry on...

Lefty has become head cheerleader for the drama queens.
- Marwood

I like your analogy and its a valid point. perhaps there is some amount that is learnable.
Some will always be better or worse. I doubt championship level is learnable. Do we want beginner to intermediate level? I'd rather have a cup. Those coaches are rare.
If we have that in Jarvis, malhotra or green then so be it
- SMBDragon

Well he has won multiple championships at other levels, so I think he is capable of learning to that extent. He has only been in the league for 2 years and 4 games (and really only 2 training camps due to his surgury last year)

I would also say, lesser coaches have won cups because of the players or circumstance, and some excellent coaches havent won for the same reasons. I also havent seen anything that would give me the slightest indication the three names you mentioned are capable of being the head coach of a Stanley Cup champion. Jarvis has been an assistant his entire career, successful but still only an assistant (if he was capable, surely someone would offer him HC role in the past 20 years?), Malholtra hasnt shown anything more than a faceoff/development coach, and Green has been passed up on several openings so far despite his AHL success

VAN 10GF 6GA 4 GAMES

EDM 20GF 16GA 5 GAMES

Holy crap!
- VanHockeyGuy

Benning has said from the beginning, he wants to build the team from the net out. Goaltending, D, Centers and then wingers. Our team defense is a lot stronger this year.

I really dislike this stance. NHL parity exists in the salary cap era, you dont need to be division winners or top 3 in the conference to challenge for the cup. Get in the tournament and anything can happen

2012 LA (8th seed) vs NJ (6th seed)
2013 CHI (1st overall) vs BOS (4th seed) - lockout shortened season
2014 LA (PAC 3rd seed) vs NYR (Metro 2nd seed)
2015 CHI (CEN 3rd seed) vs TB (Atlantic 2nd seed)
2016 SJ (PAC 3rd seed) vs PIT (Metro 2nd seed)

"falsely reaching the playoffs" is about as pessimistic as you can get, discrediting the accomplishment of making the playoffs and the integrity of playing to win. I usually appreciate your reserved and cautious approach, not getting caught up in the hype, but you can draft and develop while learning to play better defensively and win games
- WhiteLie

great post

This winning streak is going to prove how fickle our fan base is.
We (I) know it's a mirage, but some people might actually think this team is really good .
- Scooby_Doo

We will win the President's trophy...either get on the bandwagon or cheer for the Flyers

I was a little worried about the Gudbranson trade as I have heard his numbers were not overly impressive in Florida. Apart from his give-a-way up the middle last night, I thought he has played exceptionally well.
- Codes1087

Florida fans (yes all 5) were extremely upset about the trade...EG brings things that can't be measured by stats