What do you mean by overblown a bit?

Serious question so I can respond better.
- Stripes77

I don't agree with people blasting Krueger for putting Skinner on the second line. He was trying to get something -anything- going with another line offensively. There just weren't many possible permutations. His center had to be either Mojo, Sobotka, Erod, Mitts, Larry or I suppose Girgensons. There were no really good options there. The alternative was to totally stack the top line and leave the other lines to die. He tried to get another line going. Obviously it didn't work but I agree with the logic

I don't agree with people blasting Krueger for putting Skinner on the second line. He was trying to get something -anything- going with another line offensively. There just weren't many possible permutations. His center had to be either Mojo, Sobotka, Erod, Mitts, Larry or I suppose Girgensons. There were no really good options there. The alternative was to totally stack the top line and leave the other lines to die. He tried to get another line going. Obviously it didn't work but I agree with the logic
- jcragcrumple

So why weren't Olofsson and Reinhart ever dropped a line?

So why weren't Olofsson and Reinhart ever dropped a line?
- 3rd GM's the charm

Reinhart was Ralph's weird synergy thing. I agree, he should have dropped Reinhart to try to get Skinner going. I understand the decision to leave Skinner on an island to some extent because historically, Skinner is an even strength producer. But you're right, Krueger probably should have tried Reinhart with Skinner and Mojo.

Overall I think the talent pool on that team was just too shallow to overcome. Once you drop Reinhart to L2, Sheary is playing 21 minutes a night on the first line. There were no great options

So why weren't Olofsson and Reinhart ever dropped a line?
- 3rd GM's the charm

To add to this point:

You have your star center who is clearly less than pleased with the team.

You just signed Skinner to a massive contract.

You take away the chemistry that Jack had with Skinner and give him a rookie who can shoot the puck but that’s about all he could do most of the year (he did improve his 5 on 5 play towards the bed before the shut down) but still nowhere near a top line level.

Skinner who the season before tore it up in OT with Jack played almost no overtime minutes at all let alone with Jack.

It makes no sense.

Reinhart was Ralph's weird synergy thing. I agree, he should have dropped Reinhart to try to get Skinner going. I understand the decision to leave Skinner on an island to some extent because historically, Skinner is an even strength producer. But you're right, Krueger probably should have tried Reinhart with Skinner and Mojo.

Overall I think the talent pool on that team was just too shallow to overcome. Once you drop Reinhart to L2, Sheary is playing 21 minutes a night on the first line. There were no great options
- jcragcrumple

Sheary was productive with Crosby. He could be productive with Jack and send Reinhart down.

Ralph’s unwillingness to see what he was doing wasn’t working is a big tell to me that he’s not the coach long term.

To add to this point:

You have your star center who is clearly less than pleased with the team.

You just signed Skinner to a massive contract.

You take away the chemistry that Jack had with Skinner and give him a rookie who can shoot the puck but that’s about all he could do most of the year (he did improve his 5 on 5 play towards the bed before the shut down) but still nowhere near a top line level.

Skinner who the season before tore it up in OT with Jack played almost no overtime minutes at all let alone with Jack.

It makes no sense.
- Stripes77

You may not agree with the logic behind it, but there was a logic. Anyway, I dont think it's going to happen like that again. Skinner will have Eichel or Staal imo. If Skinner is playing with Eakin or Lazar, I will agree with you 100% that's dumb

Sheary was productive with Crosby. He could be productive with Jack and send Reinhart down.

Ralph’s unwillingness to see what he was doing wasn’t working is a big tell to me that he’s not the coach long term.
- Stripes77

Sheary is making $735k this year. Playing him 22 minutes a night with Eichel wouldn't have made a meaningful difference

Sheary is making $735k this year. Playing him 22 minutes a night with Eichel wouldn't have made a meaningful difference
- jcragcrumple

Sheary playing with Eichel and Olofsson and Skinner playing with whomever and Reinhart is better than what they did last season.

The point here is Ralph literally handcuffed and did nothing to help try to get their second highest paid player going.

To add to this point:

You have your star center who is clearly less than pleased with the team.

You just signed Skinner to a massive contract.

You take away the chemistry that Jack had with Skinner and give him a rookie who can shoot the puck but that’s about all he could do most of the year (he did improve his 5 on 5 play towards the bed before the shut down) but still nowhere near a top line level.

Skinner who the season before tore it up in OT with Jack played almost no overtime minutes at all let alone with Jack.

It makes no sense.
- Stripes77

Jack had a better year without skinner. So did olloffson.

That makes sense

Sheary is making $735k this year. Playing him 22 minutes a night with Eichel wouldn't have made a meaningful difference
- jcragcrumple

Wonder why we sucked last year: what we paid guys last year vs. What new teams pay this year.

Simmonds
Vesey
Erod.
Sheary
Bogo
Ka boo hoo hun
Larrson?
* frolic most certainly

Sheary playing with Eichel and Olofsson and Skinner playing with whomever and Reinhart is better than what they did last season.

The point here is Ralph literally handcuffed and did nothing to help try to get their second highest paid player going.
- Stripes77

My contention is that talent level of that team and specifically the center options left Ralph with only bad choices to make. He left Skinner on an island rather than loading up the first line or playing players on the first line who didn't belong there.

With the options available to him now, I dont see it repeating that way. Like I said, if Hall or Skinner are playing extended periods with Eakin and Lazar, I will be at the head of the pitchfork mob

Jack had a better year without skinner. So did olloffson.

That makes sense
- Boss34

Almost half of Oloffsons points came on the power play...

Almost half of Oloffsons points came on the power play...
- Stripes77

Yes, they did.

I kinda feel like skinner played himself out of the eichel spot?

I see both sides though. Krueger wanting any line to score other than eichels

Yes, they did.

I kinda feel like skinner played himself out of the eichel spot?

I see both sides though. Krueger wanting any line to score other than eichels
- Boss34

I have no issue with Oloffson playing the power play. He has an incredible shot.


I have an issue with Oloffson playing 5 on 5 with Eichel when he doesn’t belong.

How did Skinner play himself out of a spot he didn’t play last season?

Jack had a better year without skinner. So did olloffson.

That makes sense
- Boss34

Jack was trending up, he was supposed to have a better year. We have literally zero clue as to whether or not it was because he didn't play with Skinner.

Olofsson, I have no idea why you'd mention him?

So...I might be late to the party, but...

Can somebody tell me how Edmunds made the Pro Bowl?

Reinhart was Ralph's weird synergy thing. I agree, he should have dropped Reinhart to try to get Skinner going. I understand the decision to leave Skinner on an island to some extent because historically, Skinner is an even strength producer. But you're right, Krueger probably should have tried Reinhart with Skinner and Mojo.

Overall I think the talent pool on that team was just too shallow to overcome. Once you drop Reinhart to L2, Sheary is playing 21 minutes a night on the first line. There were no great options
- jcragcrumple

Eichel averaged less than 17 minutes of ice time at even strength last year.

Yes, they did.

I kinda feel like skinner played himself out of the eichel spot?

I see both sides though. Krueger wanting any line to score other than eichels
- Boss34

The alternative was do what Disco Dan did:

Girgensons-Eichel-Pominville
Kane-ROR-Reinhart

Olofsson-Eichel-Sheary
Skinner-Mojo-Reinhart

I think you just end up with different problems and the same result

So...I might be late to the party, but...

Can somebody tell me how Edmunds made the Pro Bowl?
- Michael Pachla

I have been wondering how he made it and Beasley didn't for days now.

The alternative was do what Disco Dan did:

Girgensons-Eichel-Pominville
Kane-ROR-Reinhart

Olofsson-Eichel-Sheary
Skinner-Mojo-Reinhart

I think you just end up with different problems and the same result
- jcragcrumple

Skinner - Larsson - Sheary looked very good the short time they played together. Ralph broke up that group quickly.

There's some strange coach Ralph love here for a coach that had the team completely fall apart again to end the season while he made some strange choices/decisions.

The roster has been suboptimal for at least the past 2 seasons, but coach Ralph gets a pass because be throws corporate buzz words like synergy out there and the players love him?

I have been wondering how he made it and Beasley didn't for days now.
- 3rd GM's the charm

Beasley wasn’t going to make it. I would have loved it but as far as starters and not alternates when has. Team had two WRs named starters?

Skinner - Larsson - Sheary looked very good the short time they played together. Ralph broke up that group quickly.

There's some strange coach Ralph love here for a coach that had the team completely fall apart again to end the season while he made some strange choices/decisions.

The roster has been suboptimal for at least the past 2 seasons, but coach Ralph gets a pass because be throws corporate buzz words like synergy out there and the players love him?
- kingcong39

Again, that opens up holes elsewhere. Now the Log line that played 14 minutes a night isn't the same.

There were too many holes on that ship to plug

Again, that opens up holes elsewhere. Now the Log line that played 14 minutes a night isn't the same.

There were too many holes on that ship to plug
- jcragcrumple

If you believe in Lazar, why not have him center Girgensons and Okposo?

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

For today:

Mussels in white wine, thyme and butter, with crusty bread
Potato pancakes with sour cream and caviar
Seared Tilapia
(Traditional Polish Xmas Eve is meatless)

Tomorrow:

Standing rib roast (just lovingly smothered it in herb/garlic paste)
Roasted veggies
Homemade pierogis (cheese)


Still gotta frost cutout cookies and watch Christmas Vacation after lunch.

Eggnog and rum, Brooklyn Winter Lager, Sauvignon Blanc, and half an oz of sticky-icky.

Pandemic/Schmandemic
- LandlordTom

Nice.

We're doing:

Homemade kielbasa
Homemade pierogis (potato/chz and kraut)
Battered and fried Cod
Brussel sprouts w/bacon, mushrooms and onion in garlic/butter
Homemade rye rolls

Vino rosso

Again, that opens up holes elsewhere. Now the Log line that played 14 minutes a night isn't the same.

There were too many holes on that ship to plug
- jcragcrumple

A hole on your 4th line instead of your 2nd line.

That’s not a good answer