John Gove: Rapid Reactions: Crash and Burn

Atleast we have hedman

How can you lose to the Coyotes on your home ice in a must win situation with their backup goalie starting. NO LEADERSHIP that is how. What a bunch of losers. Hey Stevie Y wake the hell up.

Very disappointing effort and outcome by Lightning. Playoffs are still possible but unlikely as John points out.

I believe the outcome will be very clear by this time next week.

The Bruins are also in a bit of tailspin so they along with the Leafs are our possible targets. 4 or 5 points in a lot to make up with only 10 games left.

I would love to be proved wrong but the playoffs are not in the cards for this year.

That was the worst loss of the season, to finally take a 3-2 lead going into the third on home ice to losing against a bottom three team. No excuses anywhere they simply played bad, coached bad, etc.

Will be interesting to see the final 10 play out and then the offseason moves are going to be interesting.

I would love to be proved wrong but the playoffs are not in the cards for this year.

That was the worst loss of the season, to finally take a 3-2 lead going into the third on home ice to losing against a bottom three team. No excuses anywhere they simply played bad, coached bad, etc.

Will be interesting to see the final 10 play out and then the offseason moves are going to be interesting.
- stammerman

I agree with your post. Change is definitely coming but we all knew that this team was going to lose Bishop and other skilled but highly paid players this year. SY made some cap room at the TDL which usually signals no playoff run but the team over performed until the last 3 games.

Yeah I think we can start shining our wedges and get ready for golf season. I have had hope all year but now I cant see it happening.

So frustrating that injurys plagued the team, then when healthy we played like poop. When we finally get a streak going we loose frkin 3 centers in the same game and that became the last straw that ended this season as a fiasco.

#IsItOctoberYet

Where we once thought our depth was a strength we're now seeing it is either not as strong as once thought or Cooper isn't using it correctly. Palat played about 20 minutes last night, 26! minutes against Washington, 20 minutes against Toronto. The Toronto game was 5-0 after the 2nd, I get don't fold but maybe don't play Palat/Kucherov as much as you would if it was a close game. Injuries this season have obviously not helped and in the past month they have shown they can be a very dangerous team. One or two moves in the offseason to strengthen the D and next year we have another great chance to go far.

Somebody must have put something in the water all over Florida. The Panthers can't beat anyone at home either.

Losing to a team that is barely above AHL level twice and last night on a back to back is ridiculous. Turn out the light the party's over. Shut down Stammer for the year and let the boys start healing

Yeah I think we can start shining our wedges and get ready for golf season. I have had hope all year but now I cant see it happening.

So frustrating that injurys plagued the team, then when healthy we played like poop. When we finally get a streak going we loose frkin 3 centers in the same game and that became the last straw that ended this season as a fiasco.

#IsItOctoberYet
- Cloud

It's Florida it's always golf season.

They need a puck moving right handed dman and more secondary scoring then they are getting right now.

Its going to be so hard for them in free agency unless the clear more cap to make moves so I played around with cap friendly and made a team that might be reasonable and fits under the 73M cap. Give Drouin 6yrs at 5M into his free agency instead of bridge. Trade with Anaheim both Killorn and Sustr for Vermette and Vatanen which I think its a even trade both cap hit wise and player wise. Vermette would be good secondary scoring. If this happened it keeps our center depth pretty strong by keeping Johnson and having Namestnikov able to fill in at C for injury. Also give up a 3rd or even a 2nd round pick to Vegas for them to take Garrison off our hands. There is no way Callahan gets bought out so I have him on this team. If the cap goes up 3M then they bring in a depth forward or a depth d man as well.

Lines:

Drouin($5M)-Stamkos($8.5)-Callahan($5.8)
Palat($5M)-Johnson($5.25M)-Kucherov($4.766)
Namestnikov($1.937)-Point($.687)-Erne($.874)
Paquette($.8125)-Vermette($1.75)-Brown($1.25)

Depth:
Dumont($.65)-Peca($.65)

Hedman($7.85)-Vatanen($4.875)
Koekkoek($.9)-Stralman($4.5)
Coburn($3.7)-Dotchin($.9)

(Depth)
Witkowski or Masin, Blujus or Taoromina.

Vasy ($3.5)
Backup Goalie ($1)

EDIT: I have resigned myself to the offseason already unless they go on a tear and win 4 of 5 this week to renew my faith for the post season.

They need a puck moving right handed dman and more secondary scoring then they are getting right now.

Its going to be so hard for them in free agency unless the clear more cap to make moves so I played around with cap friendly and made a team that might be reasonable and fits under the 73M cap. Give Drouin 6yrs at 5M into his free agency instead of bridge. Trade with Anaheim both Killorn and Sustr for Vermette and Vatanen which I think its a even trade both cap hit wise and player wise. Vermette would be good secondary scoring. If this happened it keeps our center depth pretty strong by keeping Johnson and having Namestnikov able to fill in at C for injury. Also give up a 3rd or even a 2nd round pick to Vegas for them to take Garrison off our hands. There is no way Callahan gets bought out so I have him on this team. If the cap goes up 3M then they bring in a depth forward or a depth d man as well.

Lines:

Drouin($5M)-Stamkos($8.5)-Callahan($5.8)
Palat($5M)-Johnson($5.25M)-Kucherov($4.766)
Namestnikov($1.937)-Point($.687)-Erne($.874)
Paquette($.8125)-Vermette($1.75)-Brown($1.25)

Depth:
Dumont($.65)-Peca($.65)

Hedman($7.85)-Vatanen($4.875)
Koekkoek($.9)-Stralman($4.5)
Coburn($3.7)-Dotchin($.9)

(Depth)
Witkowski or Masin, Blujus or Taoromina.

Vasy ($3.5)
Backup Goalie ($1)

EDIT: I have resigned myself to the offseason already unless they go on a tear and win 4 of 5 this week to renew my faith for the post season.
- stammerman

I like this but I think they move on from Johnson with how well Point is playing with Kucherov and Palat. I think they sign Palat and then put all of their focus and energy into getting a top 4 D man. With Vegas coming there is probably going to be a lot of creative moves coming

Give you a 3rd for yzerman.

They need a puck moving right handed dman and more secondary scoring then they are getting right now.

Its going to be so hard for them in free agency unless the clear more cap to make moves so I played around with cap friendly and made a team that might be reasonable and fits under the 73M cap. Give Drouin 6yrs at 5M into his free agency instead of bridge. Trade with Anaheim both Killorn and Sustr for Vermette and Vatanen which I think its a even trade both cap hit wise and player wise. Vermette would be good secondary scoring. If this happened it keeps our center depth pretty strong by keeping Johnson and having Namestnikov able to fill in at C for injury. Also give up a 3rd or even a 2nd round pick to Vegas for them to take Garrison off our hands. There is no way Callahan gets bought out so I have him on this team. If the cap goes up 3M then they bring in a depth forward or a depth d man as well.

Lines:

Drouin($5M)-Stamkos($8.5)-Callahan($5.8)
Palat($5M)-Johnson($5.25M)-Kucherov($4.766)
Namestnikov($1.937)-Point($.687)-Erne($.874)
Paquette($.8125)-Vermette($1.75)-Brown($1.25)

Depth:
Dumont($.65)-Peca($.65)

Hedman($7.85)-Vatanen($4.875)
Koekkoek($.9)-Stralman($4.5)
Coburn($3.7)-Dotchin($.9)

(Depth)
Witkowski or Masin, Blujus or Taoromina.

Vasy ($3.5)
Backup Goalie ($1)

EDIT: I have resigned myself to the offseason already unless they go on a tear and win 4 of 5 this week to renew my faith for the post season.
- stammerman

You don't honestly want Callahan on the top line do you???

I'm really hoping you guys hang in there! I'm going to Amalie to watch Bolts Habs on April 1st and would love it if the game had meaning and playoff implications! You guys aren't done yet. You have a resilient squad! Good luck the rest of the way!!

You don't honestly want Callahan on the top line do you???
- j.boyd919

No thats just how I typed it. These things are for fun, its probably not feasible but its fun to try and speculate. Callahan hurting the cap for three more years is the worst move Yzerman has made so far. Everyone wants to trade Johnson but not sure they can now it would weaken the C depth maybe too much if they moved him, the team shows how bad it needs centers right now. Going to be fun offseason they can easily bounce back next year and if they stay healthy next year they should be contending for a playoff spot.

No thats just how I typed it. These things are for fun, its probably not feasible but its fun to try and speculate. Callahan hurting the cap for three more years is the worst move Yzerman has made so far. Everyone wants to trade Johnson but not sure they can now it would weaken the C depth maybe too much if they moved him, the team shows how bad it needs centers right now. Going to be fun offseason they can easily bounce back next year and if they stay healthy next year they should be contending for a playoff spot.
- stammerman

Oh I agree they are fun, usually when I type those things out, I try to envision how the lines would be too.. I wouldn't want Cally anywhere near the 1st line tho.

Oh I agree they are fun, usually when I type those things out, I try to envision how the lines would be too.. I wouldn't want Cally anywhere near the 1st line tho.
- j.boyd919

I agree he needs to be on the third or 4th line. I should have typed it like this with the players I have:

Drouin-Stamkos-Namestnikov
Palat-Johnson-Kucherov
Erne-Point-Callahan
Paquette-Vermette-Brown

I think they need to separate Stamkos and Kucherov and Point is better at C then W so keep him the 3C so that moves Namestnikov onto Stamkos's wing. Or maybe they could put Erne up there if he impresses in the offseason.

Where we once thought our depth was a strength we're now seeing it is either not as strong as once thought or Cooper isn't using it correctly. Palat played about 20 minutes last night, 26! minutes against Washington, 20 minutes against Toronto. The Toronto game was 5-0 after the 2nd, I get don't fold but maybe don't play Palat/Kucherov as much as you would if it was a close game. Injuries this season have obviously not helped and in the past month they have shown they can be a very dangerous team. One or two moves in the offseason to strengthen the D and next year we have another great chance to go far.
- Kucherovski

No team in the NHL can lose 4 centers to injury (3 in one game and one for 4-5 months) plus trade 2 others away at the deadline and still have the "depth" you speak of.

No team in the NHL can lose 4 centers to injury (3 in one game and one for 4-5 months) plus trade 2 others away at the deadline and still have the "depth" you speak of.
- uf1910

Vlad got hurt recently and sat out 4 games. Vlad was playing a lot of wing before the deadline. The Lightning played very well after they made the trades also. Point has played very well for Johnson actually. When I mean our depth I meant 3rd and 4th line. Stamkos injury can't be replaced but all season Cooper hasn't had confidence in our depth which has resulted in a lot of ice time for the top guys. Vlad sat out like 4 games, hardly a big deal.

We lose a lot to teams we should beat. That is a sign of something very wrong.

The Coyotes are not as bad as their record makes it look, but even with a depleted lineup, this game was winnable to say the least.

I didn't watch this game because I knew what was going to happen. I would love to be proven wrong, but that tirefire on ice last night proved we are not a playoff team this year.

I agree with what someone else said above - even if Stammer comes back, sit him. Time to hit the beach and focus on next season.

I just hope that Washington stomps the crap out of the flightless birds and Charmin bears. I can't stomach watching that wussy Crosby raise the cup again or watch that little ratfaced punk Marchand raise the cup.

Vlad got hurt recently and sat out 4 games. Vlad was playing a lot of wing before the deadline. The Lightning played very well after they made the trades also. Point has played very well for Johnson actually. When I mean our depth I meant 3rd and 4th line. Stamkos injury can't be replaced but all season Cooper hasn't had confidence in our depth which has resulted in a lot of ice time for the top guys. Vlad sat out like 4 games, hardly a big deal.
- Kucherovski

Its weird that you where willing to trade Johnson for Chris Wideman 3 months ago and has ripped on him all year, but now we cant trade him?

But you have a point actually but not the one you are making. We have some depth at 3-4 C and thats a position that we can add to by trading some late picks or signing FA.

If we trade Johnson then Point is our 2nd C. I believe Point can be better then Johnson but not next year. I would not like to enter the season with him as 2nd C and no real skilled depth behind them. What if Stammer or Point gets hurt again? Vladdy cant handle regular top6 time. Are we gonna trust a rookie in that role? I dont know..

So with Filp gone I believe we cant trade Johnson. I would be great to get one of Ducks good young D, but center is such an important position that I dont know if we can.

I gotta give you credit Kuch, 6 months into the season and one of your well thought posts actually contributed


Edit: oops, read you wrong the first time. You still want to trade Johnson.

Vlad got hurt recently and sat out 4 games. Vlad was playing a lot of wing before the deadline. The Lightning played very well after they made the trades also. Point has played very well for Johnson actually. When I mean our depth I meant 3rd and 4th line. Stamkos injury can't be replaced but all season Cooper hasn't had confidence in our depth which has resulted in a lot of ice time for the top guys. Vlad sat out like 4 games, hardly a big deal.
- Kucherovski

Coop only started leaning heavy on our top line b/c the injuries and trades left him with no choice. Again, our depth is now non-existent b/c at times we have been down 6 centers from what we had at the beginning of the season. I understand what you mean with our 3rd and 4th lines, but again between injuries and trades we have had up to 6 players out or traded which have led the 3rd and 4th line to be AHLers and rookies. Our players have been slotted all over the place this year b/c of injuries. For instance Point started the year at wing b/c of our depth at center. Bottom line is injuries (and in this case trades) in the top 6 affect the slotting of the bottom 6 and having 6 regulars out of your lineup means the bottom 6 are going to be weakened.

Coop only started leaning heavy on our top line b/c the injuries and trades left him with no choice. Again, our depth is now non-existent b/c at times we have been down 6 centers from what we had at the beginning of the season. I understand what you mean with our 3rd and 4th lines, but again between injuries and trades we have had up to 6 players out or traded which have led the 3rd and 4th line to be AHLers and rookies. Our players have been slotted all over the place this year b/c of injuries. For instance Point started the year at wing b/c of our depth at center. Bottom line is injuries (and in this case trades) in the top 6 affect the slotting of the bottom 6 and having 6 regulars out of your lineup means the bottom 6 are going to be weakened.
- uf1910

You talked about injuries at Center, Johnson was one who was replaced well by Point, Vlad was another who only missed 4 games and Paquette was the third who should easily be replaced if we had great depth. Palat played about 19 minutes per game in January with a few over 20 minutes. Granted 20 minutes a night isn't awful for a forward but with all the hockey the team has played lately I think we counted on the big guys a bit too much.

We obviously need help at 3rd and 4th line, not a total rebuild there but we can see Filp was a great 3rd line guy, far too expensive which was the problem but great 3rd line.

I think next year looks like:

Drouin/Stammer/Killorn (don't think Vegas takes that contract)
Palat/Point/Kucherov
Callahan (maybe but could see career over)/FA Center/Erne
Brown/Paquette/Another Guy

I think we lose Vlad to Vegas