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Never said anyone was.I don't think anyone is expecting any sympathy either.
Never said anyone was.I don't think anyone is expecting any sympathy either.
We could never have kept him. If we lost Palat, Killorn, etc, we would have lost Verhaeghe regarldess.If only the Lightning had a guy like Verhaege
Just going from memory - it seems like when they lose in OT - the games don't go long, but that might be confirmation bias.It has to be a coaching issue. They seem hesitant when they come out for the extra session too.
Maybe nerves have gotten to them.
And depth is what helped them win those cups.
But now it's up to top players or else they lose.
The 2020 team was just stupid deep. It was about as easy as cup wins come in the modern era. And on top of that, Hedman was an absolute monster while Point/Kucherov lit it up.It has to be a coaching issue. They seem hesitant when they come out for the extra session too.
Maybe nerves have gotten to them.
And depth is what helped them win those cups.
But now it's up to top players or else they lose.
Guess the question is how much do the back to back cups buy Cooper? Meaning, it will be two straight one and done in the postseason. His contract is over next year.The 2020 team was just stupid deep. It was about as easy as cup wins come in the modern era. And on top of that, Hedman was an absolute monster while Point/Kucherov lit it up.
Hedman's not the force he was then, but he is by MILES our best defenseman. I think we only have two guys who could be considered legit top-4 right now. And Cernak is still paying, physically, for those cup wins.
Kucherov and Point are still capable of shredding any team in the league. The knock on Kucherov years ago was if he was just a LITTLE bit not dialed in, he was terrible. We haven't seen that in a few years, but we saw it in Game 2. He's making soft plays that work in the regular season, but get devoured in the playoffs. Normally he makes the switch and becomes a fearless psychopath, but he seems to be struggling with it a bit right now.
My honest opinion is, even IF our stars play up to their full potential (which is a lot), that still leaves 35-40 minutes per night when we are vulnerable. We just have too many guys slotted a liiiiiittle too highly to take on a team like Florida, IMO. And on defense we have guys slotted way too high.
IMO, it won't be a "firing." It will either be Cooper stepping down, or a mutual parting of the ways.Guess the question is how much do the back to back cups buy Cooper? Meaning, it will be two straight one and done in the postseason. His contract is over next year.