Sam Hitchcock: Lightning Strike for Three in Third

I really like Cernak's game, solid on the backend and can be a factor in the offensive zone, he had 7 shots in the second period, that's impressive.

What is the biggest weakness TB has?

Cause honestly, I don't think they have any.

Probably the best roster created in the past 10-12 years (based off the top of my head).

Since the 2006 Oilers.

What is the biggest weakness TB has?

Cause honestly, I don't think they have any.

Probably the best roster created in the past 10-12 years (based off the top of my head).
- EdmHockeyMan

Jon Cooper.

Since the 2006 Oilers.
- RafiDRW

I was thinking about the 2005 Red Wings, but then I remembered the 2002 Red Wings a few moments after writing that post.

Pretty much any Red Wings team from the 2000's, especially the 2002 team.

I thought you would know this Rafi.

Methinks TB can imitate what the Wings did during that time span.

Jon Cooper.
- Feds91Stammer

Jon Cooper.
- Feds91Stammer

True... Wonder if this is his last chance. JBB may want to make an impact on this team if they cant get it done this year

True... Wonder if this is his last chance. JBB may want to make an impact on this team if they cant get it done this year
- Cloud

Constant line shuffling and usage of Girardi is ridiculous imo.

- EdmHockeyMan

You don't agree?

Constant line shuffling and usage of Girardi is ridiculous imo.
- Feds91Stammer

True.

You don't agree?
- Feds91Stammer

Not completely.

While I think he does have some shortcomings, albeit a few, he has done well with what he has and more.

Sure he may line shuffle more than on one occasion, but it works. I also don't like the negative light line shuffling is often stigmatized with. A good coach can utilize that and make things unpredictable for the other team.

When you have so much skill up front and your players can adapt as deemed necessary, use that to your advantage. Doing so makes match ups a (frank)ing nightmare for the other team.

Not completely.

While I think he does have some shortcomings, albeit a few, he has done well with what he has and more.

Sure he may line shuffle more than on one occasion, but it works. I also don't like the negative light line shuffling is often stigmatized with. A good coach can utilize that and make things unpredictable for the other team.

When you have so much skill up front and your players can adapt as deemed necessary, use that to your advantage. Doing so makes match ups a (frank)ing nightmare for the other team.
- EdmHockeyMan

I don't like his usage of Girardi though, I'll give you that.

Not completely.

While I think he does have some shortcomings, albeit a few, he has done well with what he has and more.

Sure he may line shuffle more than on one occasion, but it works. I also don't like the negative light line shuffling is often stigmatized with. A good coach can utilize that and make things unpredictable for the other team.

When you have so much skill up front and your players can adapt as deemed necessary, use that to your advantage. Doing so makes match ups a (frank)ing nightmare for the other team.
- EdmHockeyMan

Has he though?

True... Wonder if this is his last chance. JBB may want to make an impact on this team if they cant get it done this year
- Cloud

Honestly, once you're in the playoffs, there is just so much luck involved even if you have the best team. Look at how many times history has proven this, where the best team loses out early or gets beat by a team on a hot streak. A lot of things need to go your way.

In the last four years, they have made it to the conference finals or higher (one Stanley cup finals appearance) 3 times. Of the two that were conference finals, they were close series losses (3-4 each time) to the team that would go on to win the Stanley cup (2016 - Pittsburgh; 2018 - Capitals).

Hard to pin that on the coach, methinks.

Has he though?
- Feds91Stammer

Kucherov's usage has been optimized quite nicely. He has been quietly shifted into a dominant playmaking role and it has taken his game to the next level. Currently on pace for 130+ points. Last time such a total was reached was back in 2005-2006 with Big Joe getting 125. Even if Kucherov cools down, 120+ points is highly likely, which is insane in this era.

The same thing can be said, in terms of optimization, with Stamkos, Point, Hedman, Cernak, and the list goes on.

I redirect the question back to you though, what do you see that he can do better? I understand the Girardi take, but anything else? Perhaps I'm missing something you may be seeing.

I really like Cernak's game, solid on the backend and can be a factor in the offensive zone, he had 7 shots in the second period, that's impressive.
- Sityak

This.

Has he though?
- Feds91Stammer

Cooper's line shuffling and gum chewing can be aggravating. His line shifting is where he really excels, making sure we have the matchups we want when we are on the road with last change.

Kucherov's usage has been optimized quite nicely. He has been quietly shifted into a dominant playmaking role and it has taken his game to the next level. Currently on pace for 130+ points. Last time such a total was reached was back in 2005-2006 with Big Joe getting 125. Even if Kucherov cools down, 120+ points is highly likely, which is insane in this era.

The same thing can be said, in terms of optimization, with Stamkos, Point, Hedman, Cernak, and the list goes on.

I redirect the question back to you though, what do you see that he can do better? I understand the Girardi take, but anything else? Perhaps I'm missing something you may be seeing.
- EdmHockeyMan

They haven't won anything even with the plethora of talent they have though.

Honestly, once you're in the playoffs, there is just so much luck involved even if you have the best team. Look at how many times history has proven this, where the best team loses out early or gets beat by a team on a hot streak. A lot of things need to go your way.

In the last four years, they have made it to the conference finals or higher (one Stanley cup finals appearance) 3 times. Of the two that were conference finals, they were close series losses (3-4 each time) to the team that would go on to win the Stanley cup (2016 - Pittsburgh; 2018 - Capitals).

Hard to pin that on the coach, methinks.
- EdmHockeyMan

This is true, he has had good results tjat any club should be happy with. But this team has been stacked for four years and i think alot of coaches would have taken TB that far and maybe even further. Against Pitt and Wash, Cooper got out coached big time. If he adapted better, it would probably hang another banner in the ceiling of Amalie Arena.

Dont get me wrong, i think Coop is an above average coach and i love his personality. But the question was about this teams weakest link and this roster top to bottom ranks higher then the guy behind the bench.

This is true, he has had good results tjat any club should be happy with. But this team has been stacked for four years and i think alot of coaches would have taken TB that far and maybe even further. Against Pitt and Wash, Cooper got out coached big time. If he adapted better, it would probably hang another banner in the ceiling of Amalie Arena.

Dont get me wrong, i think Coop is an above average coach and i love his personality. But the question was about this teams weakest link and this roster top to bottom ranks higher then the guy behind the bench.
- Cloud

x2

This is true, he has had good results tjat any club should be happy with. But this team has been stacked for four years and i think alot of coaches would have taken TB that far and maybe even further. Against Pitt and Wash, Cooper got out coached big time. If he adapted better, it would probably hang another banner in the ceiling of Amalie Arena.

Dont get me wrong, i think Coop is an above average coach and i love his personality. But the question was about this teams weakest link and this roster top to bottom ranks higher then the guy behind the bench.
- Cloud

What are the examples of that? Against Washington, the best player on the team, Kucherov, did not show up and it was a close series.

What are the examples of that? Against Washington, the best player on the team, Kucherov, did not show up and it was a close series.
- Kucherovski

What are the examples of that? Against Washington, the best player on the team, Kucherov, did not show up and it was a close series.
- Kucherovski

- Cloud

How is that an example of being out coached or not adjusting? They lost a series, even the best coaches ever lose series. You make a statement that he was out coached so was looking for how....putting up game scores is not an example of how someone was out coached.