The meatheads showed a lot of heart fighting back. Too bad this teams heart doesn't match their skill level or they'd be a pretty dangerous team.

..why are we so bad.
- MartysBetter88

Bad D. Severson and Smith are the only ones playing good solid hockey right now on the back end. Our D are passively backing up when they could be more challenging. Plus our wingers are doing a fairly weak job applying back pressure when the other teams are entering our zone. If you allow them to enter the zone so easily, you really don't have a chance. You have to cause chaos when they are crossing the blue line, and we simply are not doing anything to make their lives difficult.

But eh, if you told me that Smith and Hughes looked great, and we were in the running for a lottery pick, I would have called this season a success.

Is it possible the team is suffering any long standing effects from Covid? They looked like a different team entirely before the February outbreak.

I can't believe severson scored on us
- dmarsden2988

He was on the ice for almost 4 min at that point.

Is it possible the team is suffering any long standing effects from Covid? They looked like a different team entirely before the February outbreak.
- OneArmedJuan

If it was a handful of players off their game, it could be some lingering Covid issues. But most people fully recover so most of the team should seem the same. The fact everyone is struggling makes it look more likely a systemic problem.

Not to mention they've had periods where they have looked great. The fact they've taken the first two periods off the last couple of games and then pour it on late makes me think its effort.

If it was a handful of players off their game, it could be some lingering Covid issues. But most people fully recover so most of the team should seem the same. The fact everyone is struggling makes it look more likely a systemic problem.

Not to mention they've had periods where they have looked great. The fact they've taken the first two periods off the last couple of games and then pour it on late makes me think its effort.
- Queenie_5_hole

I think it's a lot of things adding up. We had a new coach so players are learning a new system. A lot of new players are on the roster too. No real preseason, not a lot of time to practice when things go wrong. Condensed schedule so a game every other day and a lot of three in four days. Then we also have a bunch of junk players too and young guys who are learning on the job.

Was anybody really expecting us to be good this year? I just try to watch to see how the young guys are progressing and just be glad some of the older vets will be gone.

Owen Power anyone?

Owen Powers anyone?
- Leniwm1

Wouldn't hate it. Still prefer Clarke or Hughes over him though

Wouldn't hate it. Still prefer Clarke or Hughes over him though
- vlongo4419

Also, I've realized after last game, dont resign Palms, as much as I hate to say it. We'll get more value from a trade then his new deal as he regresses.

Is it possible the team is suffering any long standing effects from Covid? They looked like a different team entirely before the February outbreak.
- OneArmedJuan

I'd say no, but you can never be sure. Many teams have dealt with it to some extent. The solid start sure made this contrast look worse, but I never had us contending with the top 4 teams in the division.

Wouldn't hate it. Still prefer Clarke or Hughes over him though
- vlongo4419

With such inadequate scouting, could be a year to consider trading down for more picks. A shotgun spread across the draft board may serve us better.

With such inadequate scouting, could be a year to consider trading down for more picks. A shotgun spread across the draft board may serve us better.
- bikeguy99

No way im trading down if we're in the top 5-10 and can get one of those top D, or even one of the forwards

Also, I've realized after last game, dont resign Palms, as much as I hate to say it. We'll get more value from a trade then his new deal as he regresses.
- Leniwm1

Yeah i mean if Fitz can land a solid prospect or young player ready to make the pro jump, I'm all for moving him. But it's pretty widely known for a bit now that Fitz prefers to re-sign him and not move him, so we'll see what happens in the next month. Seems like Fitz would need a solid offer to consider moving him

With such inadequate scouting, could be a year to consider trading down for more picks. A shotgun spread across the draft board may serve us better.
- bikeguy99

Hey Lou Lammoriello

With such inadequate scouting, could be a year to consider trading down for more picks. A shotgun spread across the draft board may serve us better.
- bikeguy99

nope. I don't think we can miss if we're top 5 (knock on miles wood). If we're looking at 6.. well we know what happened last time. But we have different scouts now compared to then right?

He was on the ice for almost 4 min at that point.
- Chippah

and if you look closely, its actually Vatanens' skate that turns Seversons' stick and knocks in the puck, Sevs was trying to clear it

so who you rooting for to win the Cup? I'd like Vegas to win one before their window closes, but how can you not pull for Jumbo Joe? If only he didn't play for the Leafs. Maybe Florida is my #3 team.. because they're the Panthers and are.. the Panthers lol. Vegas winning may be perfect to kick off ESPN/NHL in the states.

so who you rooting for to win the Cup? I'd like Vegas to win one before their window closes, but how can you not pull for Jumbo Joe? If only he didn't play for the Leafs. Maybe Florida is my #3 team.. because they're the Panthers and are.. the Panthers lol. Vegas winning may be perfect to kick off ESPN/NHL in the states.
- MartysBetter88

Isles.... Save a tree, Go GREENe.

Isles.... Save a tree, Go GREENe.
- Leniwm1

I guess they can be #4 for me. For Greene.. for Lou.

Isles.... Save a tree, Go GREENe.
- Leniwm1

No way I will pull for anyone from the Metropolitan division except Devils.

so who you rooting for to win the Cup? I'd like Vegas to win one before their window closes, but how can you not pull for Jumbo Joe? If only he didn't play for the Leafs. Maybe Florida is my #3 team.. because they're the Panthers and are.. the Panthers lol. Vegas winning may be perfect to kick off ESPN/NHL in the states.
- MartysBetter88

Honestly i'd like to see the Wild make a deep run this year. They've been really fun to watch

Honestly i'd like to see the Wild make a deep run this year. They've been really fun to watch
- vlongo4419

Go Wild! Go Parise!

I guess they can be #4 for me. For Greene.. for Lou.
- MartysBetter88

This is probably a good time to ask what you think we would have to give up for Palmeri?

This is probably a good time to ask what you think we would have to give up for Palmeri?
- Cptmjl

He's having a crap season in a contract year. He's a proven 30 goal scorer but if you don't have players around him he isn't necessarily going to drive play consistently. Depends what the market turns into in this weird season since players have the quarantine before joining their new team. I could see it being all over the place.

Go Wild! Go Parise!
- MartysBetter88

Nope (frank) that guy