No in that case, Hakstol just didn't trust Medvedev, which I totally agree with. Each player is an individual, and each situation has it's own variables.
- MJL

But if he turns out to be a great two way dependable defenseman next year....it makes it true, right?

How? He had better gaa and save % 2014-15 than last year....

But if he turns out to be a great two way dependable defenseman next year....it makes it true, right?
- YuenglingJagr

That's a hypothetical, and no, not in my view. Berube scratched Del Zotto for one reason, and Hakstol kept Medvedev out of the lineup for another. I don't think the reason why Hakstol scratched Medvedev was to try and make him a better player.

But if he turns out to be a great two way dependable defenseman next year....it makes it true, right?
- YuenglingJagr

I think the time spent as a healthy scratch may make Medvedev a good enough player to become a top-4 defender for Russia's national team on day.

I remember one, only one, time that Stevens blew up in game behind the bench. It was alarming, I assumed he was going to go onto the ice and beat the piss out of the ref.
- jmatchett383

Despise that man in regards to his coaching. Directly place blame on him for allowing the immaturity of the core at the time to fester.

How? He had better gaa and save % 2014-15 than last year....
- Daveo27

Berube making Mason a constant healthy scratch made him a better player.

Despise that man in regards to his coaching. Directly place blame on him got allowing the immaturity of the core at the time to fester.
- flyer_nutter

I get what you're implying with that second sentence, but I think some letters/words are missing.

That's a hypothetical, and no, not in my view. Berube scratched Del Zotto for one reason, and Hakstol kept Medvedev out of the lineup for another. I don't think the reason why Hakstol scratched Medvedev was to try and make him a better player.
- MJL

I jsut dont understand how one guy was scratched in order to make him a better player and the other was just scratched because of trust...maybe you could explain that

I get what you're implying with that second sentence, but I think some letters/words are missing.
- jmatchett383

lol

I jsut dont understand how one guy was scratched in order to make him a better player and the other was just scratched because of trust...maybe you could explain that
- YuenglingJagr

I don't understand how you can not understand that. There are many reasons why a coach scratches a player. It's not one cut and dried reason, every time. I already did explain it. Were the Flyers scratching Umberger to make him a better player?

I don't understand how you can not understand that. There are many reasons why a coach scratches a player. It's not one cut and dried reason, every time. I already did explain it. Were the Flyers scratching Umberger to make him a better player?
- MJL

I think they scratched MDZ for a collection of reasons, the prime one being that he wasn't playing up to Berube's expectations. It might end up making the player better, but I think that was more of an effect than a cause.

Chum is in the water...

I think they scratched MDZ for a collection of reasons, the prime one being that he wasn't playing up to Berube's expectations. It might end up making the player better, but I think that was more of an effect than a cause.
- jmatchett383

I don't think there is any question that it helped make Del Zotto a better player.

I get what you're implying with that second sentence, but I think some letters/words are missing.
- jmatchett383

That's millennial talk. We so lazy.

I don't understand how you can not understand that. There are many reasons why a coach scratches a player. It's not one cut and dried reason, every time. I already did explain it. Were the Flyers scratching Umberger to make him a better player?
- MJL

Technically almost every time a player is healthy scratched it is to make them better...they have to be better than the guys in the lineup in order to replace them

in the case of MDZ/Medvedev...
they are both capable puck movers and clearly some of the most skilled flyers defensemen. NHL level skills. They both produced points and showed ability to generate offense...and they both made risky plays that helped generate defense. really doesnt make sense that one was scratched to make him a better hockey player and the other was scratched seemingly for the hell of it

I jsut dont understand how one guy was scratched in order to make him a better player and the other was just scratched because of trust...maybe you could explain that
- YuenglingJagr

One reason is that Medvedev is 33 and pretty much is what he is at this point. MDZ was 25(?) and needed to work on certain aspects of his game still.

I don't think there is any question that it helped make Del Zotto a better player.
- MJL

Yes, it made him better. But I don't think Berube would have scratched him try to make him better if he had been playing adequately (to Berube). Again, more of an effect that the cause of the scratching.

That's millennial talk. We so lazy.
- flyer_nutter

I like with the it do they the when and it is.

I like with the it do they the when and it is.
- jmatchett383

i completely

i completely
- YuenglingJagr

And I is yes.

Technically almost every time a player is healthy scratched it is to make them better...they have to be better than the guys in the lineup in order to replace them

in the case of MDZ/Medvedev...
they are both capable puck movers and clearly some of the most skilled flyers defensemen. NHL level skills. They both produced points and showed ability to generate offense...and they both made risky plays that helped generate defense. really doesnt make sense that one was scratched to make him a better hockey player and the other was scratched seemingly for the hell of it
- YuenglingJagr

Technically no it doesn't. In the case of Umberger, can he really be better, by being scratched? Could Lecavalier get better by scratching him? No, they can't!

Del Zotto was scratched because he was not playing within the team structure, was leading the rush too much, instead of filling in within the flow of the play offensively, and was caught on the wrong side of the puck too much. Berube was trying to get Del Zotto to remove those elements of his game, to become a better all around defenseman. He was also 25 years old, and had almost played his way out of the league, due to losing his way so to speak. Del Zotto wasn't scratched during that time period, because Berube felt the other players were better.

Medvedev, while highly skilled, and capable at times of playing good hockey, was frankly, not a very good defenseman. He was weak in coverage, and weak on the puck, and very inconsistent. Therefore, he was not trusted by the coach. The coach felt that the other players, were better choices in the lineup. At 33 years old, Hakstol was not using the scratch to make Medvedev a better player, he was just favoring other players over Medvedev. Which I agree with.

They will look like clowns today
- YuenglingJagr

I have to go back and look at the blog the day Berube was fired, and find all the posters who were up in arms about it.

One reason is that Medvedev is 33 and pretty much is what he is at this point. MDZ was 25(?) and needed to work on certain aspects of his game still.
- MBFlyerfan

except medvedev was an nhl rookie and del zotto was a 5 year veteran

Yes, it made him better. But I don't think Berube would have scratched him try to make him better if he had been playing adequately (to Berube). Again, more of an effect that the cause of the scratching.
- jmatchett383

I think we're saying the same thing. Yes, if Del Zotto was playing the way Berube wanted him to play, he would of never been scratched.

I have to go back and look at the blog the day Berube was fired, and find all the posters who were up in arms about it.
- PLindbergh31

oh hey! nice avatar