I remain unconvinced that a new coach is the answer at this point. I guess we'll see. It's unlikely DW fires BB after a season with so many built in hurtles like this.
That's brilliant.
Injury Report: 2/14 Simek to IR UBI
- Thread starter LadyStanley
- Start date
I wouldn’t blame HCBB - a lot of the lack of success here is personnel driven. I think he has more or less achieved expectations given what he has. I suspect a more “results” oriented coach, with a much more, ahem abrasive personality, such as Gallant or Torts could milk slightly higher short term performance at the expense of long term stability. I am not sure that is the right strategic play either, if we are facing a 3+ year refresh built around culture and young talent. If DW is desperate, it could be a good mid-season adjustment.
That being said, I think DW positioned this team for a sell off at the deadline. So I don’t think anyone is surprised by the current results. Sorenson, Nieto, Donato, Dubnyk are all gonna be worth something as depth pieces to a contender - while Marleau, Noesen and Claessen all have the potential to at least return a late pick in the right situation.
Simek has long been the underrated corner stone of our defense. He eats minutes and keeps the aging core from shouldering too large a burden. With him gone, Vlasic and Ferraro are both going to be above 23+ minutes a night, as HCBB rides his ton 5 as best he can. Expect to see a return of Vlasic - Karlsson and Ferraro - Burns. That Kevin + Middleton or whomever third pair will likely eat a combined 20-25 minutes per night with Kevin being 10-15 and the replacement someone like 8-12. Either way, it’s not a good look for a team that desperately needs to reduce GAA.
slocal
Dude...what?
Too many dudes living the California dream. Get to work.
Fistfullofbeer
Moderator
I am not convinced as well. The main issue lies with the players. Lack of talent is one thing but lack of effort is another. I do think a coaching change could help if they actually let players play to their strengths. I still feel that EK65 is not being utilized correctly and/or given the support he needs to succeed.
Maybe. EK65 was significantly more involved offensively last season. He's looked healthier this season but slower. I don't know what to make of that.
We need a Bill Lumbergh meme with Couture’s face.
Yeah... if you could cover your man... that would be great.
Yeah... if you could go ahead and stop the puck... that would be great.
Yeah.. if you could score a goal.. that would be great.
I think there is still a big problem in the locker room. DW needs to eliminate the player or players that are the catalyst of the problem.
There is a major disconnect between that statement, and Couture's postgame interview. I was never a fan of Couture as the choice for captain, and I think that he could still get a decent return in a trade with all of his playoff performances. I think Doug should be making calls trying to move him. I don't know what Couture is thinking, you can't come out after the game and dismiss a coworker getting wrecked twice by the same player because the ref said the hit was clean. That shows no emotional investment in both the team and the game itself.
Doug has made it clear that he wouldn’t move a player like Couture unless they asked. Truth be told, I fully expect Couture to see the writing on the wall and ask pretty soon.
I also think that Karlsson needs to be “the guy” to perform. I don’t think we see his best hockey until Couture is gone and EK65 has the C.
Couldn't agree more. Couture is one of the first tradeable guys I would move if possible. I'm telling ya, story book ending... Sharks trade Couture ++ to Buffalo for Eichel. Make it happen Doug!!
That's a tired argument that holds very little water. There's a point where the GM has to do what's necessary to improve the team despite a players preference. Couture has 3 team list. It can happen and it won't involve DW asking a player if he can do it as long as it's to one of the 3 teams.
I hope that in his bunker in the Swiss Alps, Hasso woke up, saw the replays, and called DW to mast.
Fistfullofbeer
Moderator
Couldn't agree more. Couture is one of the first tradeable guys I would move if possible. I'm telling ya, story book ending... Sharks trade Couture ++ to Buffalo for Eichel. Make it happen Doug!!
That's a tired argument that holds very little water. There's a point where the GM has to do what's necessary to improve the team despite a players preference. Couture has 3 team list. It can happen and it won't involve DW asking a player if he can do it as long as it's to one of the 3 teams.
But doesn't that list change every year? I would think that Couture would need to be asked what teams are on his list. And that is the exact kind of situation I think DW (or any GM) would generally try to avoid. Because if the trade does not happen, it may end up leading to an even more grumpy Couture.
All this being said, at this time it is worth having that talk with Couture. This team aint getting better soon and a return to Couture (including a high pick in the 2021 draft) would be exactly the start to the 'rebuild'.
Levie
Registered User
- Mar 15, 2011
- 14,564
- 4,234
Couture is a great tertiary player in the but you need guys like Thornton and Pavelski above him for the team to be successful. We just don't have that. And if we do (Karlsson?) He's not speaking up enough maybe because he feel like it's not his place.
Those kinds of things are usually automatic because they are awkward. I’m sure that Couture has to declare his 3 teams every year at a specific time. That way DW always knows where he can trade him even if he isn’t looking to do so.
If i was a GM with a clause like that on a player or multiple players i would send those teams a message saying i am not actively shopping him, but you are on his list of teams. Make an offer i can't refuse.
IMO Couture as C is sort of like in the Sopranos when Sil became acting boss. Great #2, but ended up being too non-negotiable as the #1.
I get the feeling that the current leadership was hand-picked by DW/coaches - which might explain the artificial dynamics between the players. Burns, Couture, Marleau are the long-tenured co-workers. Hertl is the crown prince co-worker. And EK65 is the new hire co-worker. That mix seems like 3.5 guys who will obey and enforce orders without question. And one guy who's been in charge, but trying to find his place so will stay quiet. So, maybe not the best leadership mix.
DW picked Pavs too so I believe it. DW isn't always the best judge of who should captain considering how many he's gone thru.
Fistfullofbeer
Moderator
That would be the ideal scenario for GM's. Though not sure if that is the case or not.
I don't know about this. If you initiate a conversation of that nature, you are insinuating that you would be ok trading said player(s). Basically it would just come down to value. But then again, if moving Couture is what we are interested in, it will be less about value and more about kickstarting the rebuild. He is not going to be a big part of the rebuild going forward and other GM's must already recognize that.
So what was the point of dressing Gabriel if he’s not going out there responding for you, coach?
This team needs to get rid of practically everyone.
This team needs to get rid of practically everyone.
Quid Pro Clowe
Registered User
What a difference reading hfboards will make.
Kurz probably sent them a link to the last gdt.
Quid Pro Clowe
Registered User
WTFetus
Marlov
I feel like we'd harp on Couture regardless of what he said. He's taking the safe route now by not butting heads with refs and not calling out the team for the lack of response. But if he said actually called out teammates to the media for not responding, we'd just as equally harp on him for that like we've done in the past. It's lose-lose here based on our predisposed bias. Like we don't even know if he was the one who initally said the "co-worker" comment a few seasons ago.
Quid Pro Clowe
Registered User
Couture did step up and take on Pietrangelo years back after Petro killed his teammate with that dumb suicide pass.
