Gonna Chirp here again.
Fiala on the third? Again for what reason? He's not a shutdown forward or a checking forward. He's a playmaker so that's just crazy.
Secondly I got laughed at the beginning of the season saying Phil should go, the writing was on the wall that he sucked at the PP and possibly the 3v3 area but I don't know if he runs that.
Again we aren't talking about Korn who's only responsibility was the goaltending. So as much development as he has done for the d corps he hasn't produced results and again he wasn't lavy's pick to begin with.
Gonna Chirp here again.
Fiala on the third? Again for what reason? He's not a shutdown forward or a checking forward. He's a playmaker so that's just crazy.
I think the idea that a 3rd line is a checking line and a 4th is an energy line is obsolete now.
I think you try and put spark plugs-whether it is hustle or hits throughout the lineup. You also try and check opposing teams depending on the opposing teams strength, Some nights a big body like Johansen will draw the top center-guys like Getzlaf who are big and strong. Sometimes a guy like Jarnkrok will get the call on guys like Spezza.
Although I prefer to just roll lines and make teams match us. That is fun.
Modern hockey teams don't go for "third line == checking/shutdown line" anymore. Modern hockey teams roll multiple scoring lines. Therefore Fiala on the third line is perfectly fine.
For all the hate that he's getting we're 6-1 in our last seven with all the injuries we've had and all the new additions to the roster in addition to really changing the way we've played as a team. Not saying he's coach of the year but he's adapted more than we think. Also, all the hate on Housley right now because of the PP and OT strategies yet he's been able to get this hodge podge of guys to play as a good unit on the back end goes unnoticed.
This fan base is an all or nothing sort of group. When it's great everyone points out only the good and when we're bad it's the same but when we come out of the bad stretch and are doing well, people will not change their opinion of what the team is doing well. It reminds me of all the hate Suter got even after he was named an all-star. People have their opinion and they won't let go, regardless if things have changed dramatically.
This is not the wide open system Lavy likes to use because he doesn't have the horses to play it right now yet we're winning games because our D has tightened up, Rinne and Saros have been outstanding this month and we're winning close games again. Funny how that all happens.
For all the hate that he's getting we're 6-1 in our last seven with all the injuries we've had and all the new additions to the roster in addition to really changing the way we've played as a team. Not saying he's coach of the year but he's adapted more than we think. Also, all the hate on Housley right now because of the PP and OT strategies yet he's been able to get this hodge podge of guys to play as a good unit on the back end goes unnoticed.
This fan base is an all or nothing sort of group. When it's great everyone points out only the good and when we're bad it's the same but when we come out of the bad stretch and are doing well, people will not change their opinion of what the team is doing well. It reminds me of all the hate Suter got even after he was named an all-star. People have their opinion and they won't let go, regardless if things have changed dramatically.
This is not the wide open system Lavy likes to use because he doesn't have the horses to play it right now yet we're winning games because our D has tightened up, Rinne and Saros have been outstanding this month and we're winning close games again. Funny how that all happens.
I have a hard time judging Lavy based on this season --
Like it or not, Subban is our best defenseman and had just started to settle in and hit stride in the system when he got hurt...and he's now been out for a month and a half.
Neal is our best forward, he's missed big chunks of time and played hurt for chunks.
Forsberg started the season on a near historical run of bad luck and uncharacteristic play.
Ellis missed a decent chunk of time.
Josi has missed and probably will miss a good chunk.
Ekholm has struggled at times.
Mazanec should NEVER have played a game in Nashville.
Rinne has been his usual up and down.
That's a lot of factors that I don't necessarily place entirely on the coaching staff -- or I put more on McCarthy and Housley.
I'd like to see Lavy pick two new assistants this offseason. I think Housley...whose responsibilities include a lukewarm PP that has the personnel to be the best in the league AND 3-3 OT...has been a disaster. McCarthy...again, PK has been up and down throughout his time, seems like an old school guy.
Lavy may be a or the problem, but realistically he's got a new 3 year deal starting next season...he'll get at least a eyar of that to right the ship. Assistants are a little easier to cycle in midstream.
Pretty much where I am.Negative Thread = Tough Love. Everyone needs a good kick in the pants now and then. I'll admit, I was on the "maybe it's Lavy" bandwagon and...maybe it was! I'm jumping off for now but I have a reserved seat for the future, just in case.