Fire this bum Hextall and get a real GM already

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...expires-this-month?ref=jo

That's a matter of opinion because you think they have to hit rock bottom to get higher picks to have the best chance of winning a championship. I don't think that has to be a part of it.
- MJL

It is, statistically, the best way to build a championship level team. I would be in favor of abolishing the draft, but until they do, the best young players will go to the worst teams.

The offseason can't come soon enough. I hope they go after a true point producing center like Matt Duchene if Sakic is still serious about moving him.

https://bostonpucks.com/2015/07/21/new-nhl-draft-rules-for-2016/
- Bonerfide69

New draft rules have no bearing on whether a team needs to tank to get higher picks in order to win a championship.

They each score more apart than with each other. Couturier-Voracek scores a whopping 1 more goal per 60 minutes together than with Giroux. That's the pair that should be reunited IMO. Schenn is looking like normal Schenn again. Why not just go 10-14-93? That's what I would try.
- Mononoke

Not again the idea.

Fire this bum Hextall and get a real GM already

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...expires-this-month?ref=jo
- SimmerDown17

3 years one first round playoff exit, and now 2 dnq's. It's a results based business. Some significant improvements are going to have to be made sooner than later.

I think they'll languish between seasons like this and seasons like last year. I just don't think picking around 14 gives them enough of a competitive advantage over teams picking in the 20-25 range. It's not like other teams aren't drafting and developing too. You're basically just betting on your scouts, development staff and luck being better than your opponents.
- PhillySportsGuy

I just think Provorov changes everything to be honest. They already have an advantage

I think they'll languish between seasons like this and seasons like last year. I just don't think picking around 14 gives them enough of a competitive advantage over teams picking in the 20-25 range. It's not like other teams aren't drafting and developing too. You're basically just betting on your scouts, development staff and luck being better than your opponents.
- PhillySportsGuy

You're being pessimistic, I think. And you know I agree with you at heart.

The defense is already on its way to being great. Our goalie prospects are great. We still have a lot of core young players on the roster who will be in their prime in 3-5 years. There's so much good. Even Giroux and Jake will be 2 key veterans. What I see in the talent pool is a question mark as it pertains to who takes over G and Jake's mantle. We still need a future 1C prospect (no, that doesn't mean a #1 overall pick, people) and probably a future second best forward on the team, presumably at wing. Not that Jake and G won't be around doing good things, but they won't get younger. Their ability to impact the game will not be what it was in their prime. Those were Cup caliber top forwards we wasted.

We have a lot of depth prospect and some top 6 guys, we have the defense, the goalie prospects, but we really do need that game changer (especially at center) or two. Maybe they'll get one this year drafting top 10 hopefully. The other? We know the writing has always been on the wall with 10/17. That's an avenue for another. But I just am skeptical Hextall takes it because it's a bold, risky decision, and he's....not that. I don't think this team has to keep tanking theoretically to acquire what we need in terms of players (forget coaches and whatnot). Next year I actually do think they still have a legit shot to make the playoffs and even win a round. Even if they trade someone like Schenn/Simmer, the talent coming in is too great to not replace it.

It is, statistically, the best way to build a championship level team. I would be in favor of abolishing the draft, but until they do, the best young players will go to the worst teams.
- PhillySportsGuy

It is statistically not the only way. If it was then every team who doesn't feel it's close to championship level, would adopt the tank philosophy. Measure it by any statistic you want, top players are found throughout the draft.

I just think Provorov changes everything to be honest. They already have an advantage
- YuenglingJagr

I agree, if he turns out how we think he will.

Can someone make a gif of the Hall move that killed Mason? But put MJ's face on Mase and Iverson's on Hall.

I just think Provorov changes everything to be honest. They already have an advantage
- YuenglingJagr

I just don't have confidence in Hexy going out and making a deal for the guy we need. I hope he proves me wrong. He just doesn't seem very proactive.

No it's not a stupid comparison, maybe you just don't get the point. Which is there is no guarantee regardless of what approach you take. No matter how high the picks you have are. Someone might think one way versus another is the way to go, and better odds, and they may be right. Don't tell me you can't get good players unless you have top 5 picks because that is simply not true.
- MJL

I didn't say that. Also Edmonton got some damn good players they just didn't know how to build a team.

My stance is that in a year where they clearly aren't good enough for whatever reason you want to blame, it helps them to get a better pick. There's really nothing that suggests otherwise that makes sense, even though you will try to go on an hour long diatribe saying it does.

I just don't have confidence in Hexy going out and making a deal for the guy we need. I hope he proves me wrong. He just doesn't seem very proactive.
- PhillySportsGuy

He doesn't. And neither were the Kings. Hell, they never would've even landed Carter if it weren't for him sulking in Ohio.

I just don't have confidence in Hexy going out and making a deal for the guy we need. I hope he proves me wrong. He just doesn't seem very proactive.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think now is the time to do it. I don't have confidence he will, but I also don't think it screws the pooch.

He doesn't. And neither were the Kings. Hell, they never would've even landed Carter if it weren't for him sulking in Ohio.
- hereticpride

Quick was the key to their success not Hex

I just don't have confidence in Hexy going out and making a deal for the guy we need. I hope he proves me wrong. He just doesn't seem very proactive.
- PhillySportsGuy

Your discounting the availability factor of the guy we need. He's also the guy other team's need, and when they possess that guy, they will be reluctant to trade that player, unless of course you think they can get that player for Schenn or Simmonds. That's doubtful. Look at the trade market.

You're being pessimistic, I think. And you know I agree with you at heart.

The defense is already on its way to being great. Our goalie prospects are great. We still have a lot of core young players on the roster who will be in their prime in 3-5 years. There's so much good. Even Giroux and Jake will be 2 key veterans. What I see in the talent pool is a question mark as it pertains to who takes over G and Jake's mantle. We still need a future 1C prospect (no, that doesn't mean a #1 overall pick, people) and probably a future second best forward on the team, presumably at wing. Not that Jake and G won't be around doing good things, but they won't get younger. Their ability to impact the game will not be what it was in their prime. Those were Cup caliber top forwards we wasted.

We have a lot of depth prospect and some top 6 guys, we have the defense, the goalie prospects, but we really do need that game changer (especially at center) or two. Maybe they'll get one this year drafting top 10 hopefully. The other? We know the writing has always been on the wall with 10/17. That's an avenue for another. But I just am skeptical Hextall takes it because it's a bold, risky decision, and he's....not that. I don't think this team has to keep tanking theoretically to acquire what we need in terms of players (forget coaches and whatnot). Next year I actually do think they still have a legit shot to make the playoffs and even win a round. Even if they trade someone like Schenn/Simmer, the talent coming in is too great to not replace it.
- Mononoke

My alt

I didn't say that. Also Edmonton got some damn good players they just didn't know how to build a team.

My stance is that in a year where they clearly aren't good enough for whatever reason you want to blame, it helps them to get a better pick. There's really nothing that suggests otherwise that makes sense, even though you will try to go on an hour long diatribe saying it does.
- YuenglingJagr

I think that for centers it's most important to try to acquire one near the top. The numbers are just too much in the favor of top ~10 selected centers being the best way to acquire a 1C. Wingers, however, are easier to find throughout the 1st and beyond. It's really the center that is the major issue for me, though it's not like I wouldn't select a winger if he was BPA for sure. We have phenomenal drafting outside the top 10, especially under Hexy's regime. I think we can find a couple more top 6 wingers doing that. We may have some already. Center though.....

Frankly, if we could get a top 10 pick for a center and trade up into the late 1st using our haul of 3rds to select a dynamic talent like Yamamoto, that would be a dream for me. That would be an amazing start.

I didn't say that. Also Edmonton got some damn good players they just didn't know how to build a team.

My stance is that in a year where they clearly aren't good enough for whatever reason you want to blame, it helps them to get a better pick. There's really nothing that suggests otherwise that makes sense, even though you will try to go on an hour long diatribe saying it does.
- YuenglingJagr

Well you can get on your soapbox and complain that I will go on a hour long diatribe, but I suggest some self policing on your part. I don't force you to discuss anything with me. You do so of your own free will. Now getting to the actual topic, you're still not addressing the core of my point which is simply that there is no guarantee regardless of what method and philosophy of team building you adopt. Pretty simple, so bringing up the situation in Edmonton is not a poor comparison in that context.

You're being pessimistic, I think. And you know I agree with you at heart.

The defense is already on its way to being great. Our goalie prospects are great. We still have a lot of core young players on the roster who will be in their prime in 3-5 years. There's so much good. Even Giroux and Jake will be 2 key veterans. What I see in the talent pool is a question mark as it pertains to who takes over G and Jake's mantle. We still need a future 1C prospect (no, that doesn't mean a #1 overall pick, people) and probably a future second best forward on the team, presumably at wing. Not that Jake and G won't be around doing good things, but they won't get younger. Their ability to impact the game will not be what it was in their prime. Those were Cup caliber top forwards we wasted.

We have a lot of depth prospect and some top 6 guys, we have the defense, the goalie prospects, but we really do need that game changer (especially at center) or two. Maybe they'll get one this year drafting top 10 hopefully. The other? We know the writing has always been on the wall with 10/17. That's an avenue for another. But I just am skeptical Hextall takes it because it's a bold, risky decision, and he's....not that. I don't think this team has to keep tanking theoretically to acquire what we need in terms of players (forget coaches and whatnot). Next year I actually do think they still have a legit shot to make the playoffs and even win a round. Even if they trade someone like Schenn/Simmer, the talent coming in is too great to not replace it.
- Mononoke

I feel like people are having trouble distinguishing between tanking and simply rebuilding. Before the Sixers, the normal standard operating procedure for rebuilding was to trade your top veterans for youth/picks and play that youth along with some veterans dispersed throughout the lineup. That's all I'm asking. I'm not saying the team should trade Schenn, Simmonds, Giroux and Voracek all at once for the highest and best offer. I just want this team to go into next season knowing they won't be good and knowing that the development of young players like Morin, Sanheim, Hagg, Ghost, Provorov, Lindblom and others is most important. They can even just keep Neuvy and tag team him with one of the young goalies. If they both finish with a .880 save percentage then so what.

What Hexy is doing right now is GUARANTEEING we'll pick between 10-20 EVERY year for 5-7 straight seasons. Does he really think 2-3 more seasons like this and last year are going to keep the fans happy? I feel like they'd be happier if a traditional rebuild began. I feel like people would understand.

He doesn't. And neither were the Kings. Hell, they never would've even landed Carter if it weren't for him sulking in Ohio.
- hereticpride

Fans were calling for Lombardi's head for a number of years before he was able to make the moves he did. It's uncanny how we're starting to see the beginning of doubt here.

Frankly, if we could get a top 10 pick for a center and trade up into the late 1st using our haul of 3rds to select a dynamic talent like Yamamoto, that would be a dream for me. That would be an amazing start.
- Mononoke

How is his defense?

How is his defense?
- YuenglingJagr

You ask in jest, but surprisingly not bad for a dynamic small winger. He reads plays in his own zone well and defends well getting in lanes and skating. Dangerous PKer too.

You ask in jest, but surprisingly not bad for a dynamic small winger. He reads plays in his own zone well and defends well getting in lanes and skating. Dangerous PKer too.
- Mononoke

Not really in jest. I'm just thinking there's no way hexy picks a guy that doesn't play a "200 ft game"