I'd have to really consider moving Barzal and/or Ho-Sang if this guy really is available. I feel though he's not going anywhere.
- bgainesDM

Probably not but he just threw the coach and team right under the bus. For the record I'm not saying the isles would even get him but he really drilled the team

Probably not but he just threw the coach and team right under the bus. For the record I'm not saying the isles would even get him but he really drilled the team
- Upstate_isles

Well to be fair, he's not wrong. Management and coaching really screwed up this year and to be honest, I'm not sure this will be corrected right away.

I'd have to really consider moving Barzal and/or Ho-Sang if this guy really is available. I feel though he's not going anywhere.
- bgainesDM

I'd bet a lot that he won't be moved, despite the public criticism, but man would a top line of Lee-Tavares-Kucherov look nice

I'd bet a lot that he won't be moved, despite the public criticism, but man would a top line of Lee-Tavares-Kucherov look nice
- eichiefs9

Kuch would go on the 2nd imo. Creates a coach's nightmare throughout the entire game and even worse on the PP. Kinda like a Toews-Kane or Crosby-Malkin situation.

Kuch would go on the 2nd imo. Creates a coach's nightmare throughout the entire game and even worse on the PP. Kinda like a Toews-Kane or Crosby-Malkin situation.
- bgainesDM

It's certainly possible.

I don't even want to talk about it because I'm only going to get my hopes up. I know in the back of my mind there will be some white-bread statement from Yzerman, Kucherov will apologize and say he was just frustrated with missing the playoffs and he wants to remain with Tampa for the duration of his career, and so-on.

Well to be fair, he's not wrong. Management and coaching really screwed up this year and to be honest, I'm not sure this will be corrected right away.
- bgainesDM

I wish the Isles management and coaching screwed up like Tampa's. They only missed the playoffs because big time injuries.

I'd bet a lot that he won't be moved, despite the public criticism, but man would a top line of Lee-Tavares-Kucherov look nice
- eichiefs9

I don't think he's be moved either but you never know they are in a tight spot and if he's a cancer there's always a chance.

It's certainly possible.

I don't even want to talk about it because I'm only going to get my hopes up. I know in the back of my mind there will be some white-bread statement from Yzerman, Kucherov will apologize and say he was just frustrated with missing the playoffs and he wants to remain with Tampa for the duration of his career, and so-on.
- eichiefs9

He should be frustrated though. Yzerman and Cooper screwed up bigtime.

I wish the Isles management and coaching screwed up like Tampa's. They only missed the playoffs because big time injuries.
- ses111

No excuses. Without Stamkos and Bishop they still took a redhot Pens team to 7 in the ECF. Everybody gets hurt throughout the season. Cooper didn't do them any favors by shuffling the lines so many damn times.

He should be frustrated though. Yzerman and Cooper screwed up bigtime.
- bgainesDM

Meh, I dunno about "big time". Their marquis player was out all season, that certainly didn't help their case. I have to imagine if Stamkos played a full year (or even a mostly-full year) they would have made the playoffs. It was a tumultuous year for them with Bishop departing, Stamkos' injury, Kucherov's contract, etc....

They just need to re-tool the defense a little and they'll be right back in contention.

Meh, I dunno about "big time". Their marquis player was out all season, that certainly didn't help their case. I have to imagine if Stamkos played a full year (or even a mostly-full year) they would have made the playoffs. It was a tumultuous year for them with Bishop departing, Stamkos' injury, Kucherov's contract, etc....

They just need to re-tool the defense a little and they'll be right back in contention.
- eichiefs9

I agree. We should wish to have Cooper and Stevie Y running our team.

Meh, I dunno about "big time". Their marquis player was out all season, that certainly didn't help their case. I have to imagine if Stamkos played a full year (or even a mostly-full year) they would have made the playoffs. It was a tumultuous year for them with Bishop departing, Stamkos' injury, Kucherov's contract, etc....

They just need to re-tool the defense a little and they'll be right back in contention.
- eichiefs9

Kinda like what the Isles have to do, right?

This is also the 2nd time under Yzerman that the team has regressed. Real teams play through injuries no matter what.

Meh, I dunno about "big time". Their marquis player was out all season, that certainly didn't help their case. I have to imagine if Stamkos played a full year (or even a mostly-full year) they would have made the playoffs. It was a tumultuous year for them with Bishop departing, Stamkos' injury, Kucherov's contract, etc....

They just need to re-tool the defense a little and they'll be right back in contention.
- eichiefs9

Sex picnic, eh? You change your location more than TB changes the line combos.

This is also the 2nd time under Yzerman that the team has regressed. Real teams play through injuries no matter what.
- bgainesDM

Teams rarely trend up in a linear fashion, some things are just beyond control. I actually think this season was a partial-success for them. They locked up Kucherov for a few years at a good price. They made room for their excellent young goaltender. They (further) proved that they are excellent on draft day with the success of Brayden Point. They had some good things that happened this year, despite missing out on the obvious end-goal.

If they can get their cap under control without losing too much talent and, likely in the process, patch up their defense...I think they might end up being better than before.

No excuses. Without Stamkos and Bishop they still took a redhot Pens team to 7 in the ECF. Everybody gets hurt throughout the season. Cooper didn't do them any favors by shuffling the lines so many damn times.
- bgainesDM

Stamkos was out all year among other players down the stretch. it takes it's toll.

Sex picnic, eh? You change your location more than TB changes the line combos.
- Isleshockeyman

Stamkos was out all year among other players down the stretch. it takes it's toll.
- ses111

Wanna give me the injury count for Pittsburgh during the month of march?

Wanna give me the injury count for Pittsburgh during the month of march?
- bgainesDM

Please feel free to call the Tampa owners and tell them to fire Cooper and Stevie Y.

- eichiefs9

I can arrange that for you.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...on-from-missing-playoffs/

Oh look, I'm already right.

Instead, Milstein told the Tampa Bay Times they came out of frustration after Kucherov and the Bolts failed to make the playoffs.

If there is a bright side to any of this, it’s that Milstein told the Times Kucherov wants to remain in Tampa Bay long term.

Teams rarely trend up in a linear fashion, some things are just beyond control. I actually think this season was a partial-success for them. They locked up Kucherov for a few years at a good price. They made room for their excellent young goaltender. They (further) proved that they are excellent on draft day with the success of Brayden Point. They had some good things that happened this year, despite missing out on the obvious end-goal.

If they can get their cap under control without losing too much talent and, likely in the process, patch up their defense...I think they might end up being better than before.
- eichiefs9

This is why I didn't support Yzerman re-signing Stamkos. He could've used that money to snatch more scoring depth that can be healthy. Metal rod in his leg, blood clots, and now another leg issue. This imo, should be highly alarming for Yzerman.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/04/26/agent-kucherov-blasted-bolts-out-of-frustration-from-missing-playoffs/

Oh look, I'm already right.

Instead, Milstein told the Tampa Bay Times they came out of frustration after Kucherov and the Bolts failed to make the playoffs.

If there is a bright side to any of this, it’s that Milstein told the Times Kucherov wants to remain in Tampa Bay long term.


- eichiefs9

Don't be a glory hog

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/04/26/agent-kucherov-blasted-bolts-out-of-frustration-from-missing-playoffs/

Oh look, I'm already right.

Instead, Milstein told the Tampa Bay Times they came out of frustration after Kucherov and the Bolts failed to make the playoffs.

If there is a bright side to any of this, it’s that Milstein told the Times Kucherov wants to remain in Tampa Bay long term.


- eichiefs9

Would be nuts for Tampa to trade Kucherov.

Please feel free to call the Tampa owners and tell them to fire Cooper and Stevie Y.
- ses111

Didn't say that. But it's ok to criticize them. Ownership is giving them an opportunity to correct their mistakes. It won't be easy though.

Teams rarely trend up in a linear fashion, some things are just beyond control. I actually think this season was a partial-success for them. They locked up Kucherov for a few years at a good price. They made room for their excellent young goaltender. They (further) proved that they are excellent on draft day with the success of Brayden Point. They had some good things that happened this year, despite missing out on the obvious end-goal.

If they can get their cap under control without losing too much talent and, likely in the process, patch up their defense...I think they might end up being better than before.
- eichiefs9

No they don't. Every team will have peaks and valleys. As long as they continue positively forward, they'll be fine. Look at Chicago this year. First round ouster. Is anyone clamoring for them to blow it up and start over? No. They'll keep doing what they do and make some adjustments.