If our top line is matched up against the Blues, forget about it, no way 55&26 win that matchup. Pomo should have TLC or little/Lowry/Perreault together to play against O’Reily/Schenn/tarasenko.
- Ross77

True, Oreilly would win 100% of face offs against Scheifele.

Pretty sure Maurice spent the whole year also switching linemates for wheeler and shief to get their horrific 200’ game going ( by the way, the finished the year as a bottom 5 line in the entire NHL. As a guy who played I’d be more upset about how 55&26’s wishes are clearly out above everyone else.
- Ross77

A lot of the top line shuffling was a result of not being able to create a line for Laine.

A lot of the top line shuffling was a result of not being able to create a line for Laine.
- bennythehat

Disagree, a lot of the shuffling was due to EVERY line getting out shot, and out chanced every single game. This whole argument putting it on Laine is ridiculous to me. How is one man responsible for every line being out shot, chanced and played game in and game out? Answer, he’s not.

A lot of the top line shuffling was a result of not being able to create a line for Laine.
- bennythehat

Funny how Laine talked wheels and Myers into causing those two goals against last night. It amazes me how he constantly talks all our guys into playing poopty.

Did Laine play last night ?
Didn’t notice him.

Disagree, a lot of the shuffling was due to EVERY line getting out shot, and out chanced every single game. This whole argument putting it on Laine is ridiculous to me. How is one man responsible for every line being out shot, chanced and played game in and game out? Answer, he’s not.
- Ross77

👍......

Funny, what you said about Laine is also 100% true for 55
- Ross77

Agree on both, but who on the team can really create their on shot other than 27 and 81?......

Cheap shot at McIntyre and Morrissey regarding jomo’s leadership and potential leadership. Pete if you know something current then say it. What went on - or maybe didn’t go on- in 2015 when jomo was an 18 yo kid is almost irrelevant. Behavior and attitudes needing teaching are the normal for that age. We expect maturity to come with age and experience, there is no public reason to indicate that morrisey lacks leadership potential. We go where the puck is going and not where it has been.
- 2.0

That was not a cheap shot. People are doomed to repeat history if they do not learn from it.

Maybe he has, maybe he hasn't but serving Morrissey as the next Luke Skywalker is a bit much.

That was not a cheap shot. People are doomed to repeat history if they do not learn from it.

Maybe he has, maybe he hasn't but serving Morrissey as the next Luke Skywalker is a bit much.
- Peter.Tessier

Well, check out Cordell on HB about Morrisey. He is gushing as well.

Plus Pete, you seem to take a run at other writers sometimes like the "fake politically connected journalist" last fall in your artcle about True North Square and Chipman. Just saying..............

I see no chance Pomo being let go even if we are swept in round one ( even if he should be!! ) but I hope they at least axe both assistant coaches to at the very least bring in some fresh eyes, ideas and opinions.

That was not a cheap shot. People are doomed to repeat history if they do not learn from it.

Maybe he has, maybe he hasn't but serving Morrissey as the next Luke Skywalker is a bit much.
- Peter.Tessier

The lesson from history of humankind is that young people mature in their responses to adversity and manage it better with experience and mentoring. The one who is doomed is the one who is not able to reform their first impression when confronted with new information.

In the interest of fairness I should be calling out McIntyre for his unsupported smear of Byfuglien's leadership. The crux of his criticism was that Byfuglien rarely speaks publically and that is usually part of the role when wearing the 'A'. That is a narrow view of leadership and undervalues the other areas of leadership Buff brings. Intensity, loyalty, security, humour and the occasional laundering of track suits.

Did Laine play last night ?
Didn’t notice him.
- bennythehat

Speaking of invisible. How about Little? He finished with less points (41) than he had last season (43). That stretch of 16 points in 16 games was the only thing that saved his season from being a complete disaster.

The good news is that we can witness his decline for the next 5 years in a Jets uniform.

The lesson from history of humankind is that young people mature in their responses to adversity and manage it better with experience and mentoring. The one who is doomed is the one who is not able to reform their first impression when confronted with new information.

In the interest of fairness I should be calling out McIntyre for his unsupported smear of Byfuglien's leadership. The crux of his criticism was that Byfuglien rarely speaks publically and that is usually part of the role when wearing the 'A'. That is a narrow view of leadership and undervalues the other areas of leadership Buff brings. Intensity, loyalty, security, humour and the occasional laundering of track suits.
- 2.0

Everyone had a laugh because that happened to Kane, but how do you know he doesn't pull stunts like that with other players. That is the definition of bullying nowadays

Disagree, a lot of the shuffling was due to EVERY line getting out shot, and out chanced every single game. This whole argument putting it on Laine is ridiculous to me. How is one man responsible for every line being out shot, chanced and played game in and game out? Answer, he’s not.
- Ross77

Of course Laine is not responsible for the gaffs of others. The criticism is that while most players are working their tails off to improve the vibe Laine gives is that he is content with his game and treats the team with a sense of entitlement. The argument is that it is hard on the team chemistry because those below him in the lineup see what is going on and there is no accountability for his poor play (sometimes effort, sometimes courage) regardless of where he is in the lineup. Until now we have seen Laine being coddled by teammates, fans and coaches but so far the visible results have not been there - it's not working.

He will likely mature out of it but is a hole in the lineup because matchups don't need to be fast, energetic or physical to play successfully against him. Other teams simply play the gaps to take away the one timer - and Laine doesn't adjust to create new gaps. This lets other teams match up better against other lines and makes us more like a one scoring line team rather than a 1 &2 with a checking line and versatile reliable #4 line. I am hoping for a reduced role in the playoffs for him and a bridge deal. If he sits half the season, or even a full season it's not a big loss.

Everyone had a laugh because that happened to Kane, but how do you know he doesn't pull stunts like that with other players. That is the definition of bullying nowadays
- BWJumper

Point taken that it may still be happening behind closed doors, but its not necessarily bullying, it could be that it was a necessary stand against bullpoop that was going on and happened after other ways of addressing the problem failed.

Of course Laine is not responsible for the gaffs of others. The criticism is that while most players are working their tails off to improve the vibe Laine gives is that he is content with his game and treats the team with a sense of entitlement. The argument is that it is hard on the team chemistry because those below him in the lineup see what is going on and there is no accountability for his poor play (sometimes effort, sometimes courage) regardless of where he is in the lineup. Until now we have seen Laine being coddled by teammates, fans and coaches but so far the visible results have not been there - it's not working.

He will likely mature out of it but is a hole in the lineup because matchups don't need to be fast, energetic or physical to play successfully against him. Other teams simply play the gaps to take away the one timer - and Laine doesn't adjust to create new gaps. This lets other teams match up better against other lines and makes us more like a one scoring line team rather than a 1 &2 with a checking line and versatile reliable #4 line. I am hoping for a reduced role in the playoffs for him and a bridge deal. If he sits half the season, or even a full season it's not a big loss.
- 2.0

It’s not just Laine. I watch 55 refuse to back check most nights for example. Everyone is accountable and everyone seems to have the same sense of entitlement. Singling out Laine just means you are not judging everyone the same

Everyone had a laugh because that happened to Kane, but how do you know he doesn't pull stunts like that with other players. That is the definition of bullying nowadays
- BWJumper

Good point. That little tiff that Byfuglien got into at the game last night was a joke. The man he was manhandling was only 5"9. Surprisingly Big Buff didn't have the same response for Oleksiak. He only picks on players smaller than him. That is the true definition of a bully.

Good point. That little tiff that Byfuglien got into at the game last night was a joke. The man he was manhandling was only 5"9. Surprisingly Big Buff didn't have the same response for Oleksiak. He only picks on players smaller than him. That is the true definition of a bully.
- TheUltimateJet

Big deal the guy was 5 9. He gave a whole hearted slash across the mid section of Buf because he didn't like the compete level of Buff. Waaa.....I see this as Buff's game trending up at the exact right time.

Btw, the collision with Olexiuk resulted in Buff's concussion from Olexiuk's errant stick to the head. It was also a clean hit by both and two freight trains colliding compared to this flyweight last night.

Big deal the guy was 5 9. He gave a whole hearted slash across the mid section of Buf because he didn't like the compete level of Buff. Waaa.....I see this as Buff's game trending up at the exact right time.

Btw, the collision with Olexiuk resulted in Buff's concussion from Olexiuk's errant stick to the head. It was also a clean hit by both and two freight trains colliding compared to this flyweight last night.
- CharlieDog

Buff would not have gotten whacked if he didn’t punch that guy in the back of the head.

Buff would not have gotten whacked if he didn’t punch that guy in the back of the head.
- TheUltimateJet

You mean the guy who took out Morrissey?

Buff would not have gotten whacked if he didn’t punch that guy in the back of the head.
- TheUltimateJet

Washington didn't win the cup last year with a team of lady bing candidates. They are a nasty team. We are needin some nasty.

Well, check out Cordell on HB about Morrisey. He is gushing as well.

Plus Pete, you seem to take a run at other writers sometimes like the "fake politically connected journalist" last fall in your artcle about True North Square and Chipman. Just saying..............
- CharlieDog

I don’t recall that... I will go look.

I might point something out but if it’s a shot it will be obvious. However I admit i am not always subtle.

Washington didn't win the cup last year with a team of lady bing candidates. They are a nasty team. We are needin some nasty.
- CharlieDog

Buff should have fought Reeves last year to show us how nasty he is.

Washington didn't win the cup last year with a team of lady bing candidates. They are a nasty team. We are needin some nasty.
- CharlieDog

I believe the 3rd line of Smith-Pelly, Eller, Connolly scoring 20 goals throughout the playoffs played a bigger part.

Of course Laine is not responsible for the gaffs of others. The criticism is that while most players are working their tails off to improve the vibe Laine gives is that he is content with his game and treats the team with a sense of entitlement. The argument is that it is hard on the team chemistry because those below him in the lineup see what is going on and there is no accountability for his poor play (sometimes effort, sometimes courage) regardless of where he is in the lineup. Until now we have seen Laine being coddled by teammates, fans and coaches but so far the visible results have not been there - it's not working.

He will likely mature out of it but is a hole in the lineup because matchups don't need to be fast, energetic or physical to play successfully against him. Other teams simply play the gaps to take away the one timer - and Laine doesn't adjust to create new gaps. This lets other teams match up better against other lines and makes us more like a one scoring line team rather than a 1 &2 with a checking line and versatile reliable #4 line. I am hoping for a reduced role in the playoffs for him and a bridge deal. If he sits half the season, or even a full season it's not a big loss.
- 2.0

Amen !