7+6=13

I don't see Reinhart getting traded but I'd like to see it happen for a player in a similar situation. I'd like a player back that hasn't reached potential.

I don't get why there wasn't more than two choices?

Wouldn't we need to compare that to eating Myers contract?

Depressing that some are now turning on our young star on pace for 73 points.

Sam gets knocked off his skates with ease and watches the empty net go in while fixing his helmet. Embarrassing.

I think his skating is bad enough that he can't play an open ice game. His best attributes are being in good position and having good hands. The problem, IMO, is those are attributes and not fundamental to a system of hockey. Why he can't do more is tough to know but I see effort. I'm trying to recall why he was successful his first 2 years. I ask myself what did he do to get 42 and 47 points and I can't recall. I don't know what he did well to fully understand what he's not doing now. He's a curious case and understanding what's gone wrong is way behind my hockey acumen.

I tried to think of someone to talk about and I couldn't. So disappointing.

They might be but I see a team that when things start going bad - don't know what to do about it.

I know I didn't

This could very well be correct. It's so difficult to get an established coach to come to such a mess - sucks that we had one here and let him go.

I don't think it's ridiculous, you do. You call it pulling wool over fans eyes - I don't. Suggesting he's doing it through a forced Rob Ray comment is. You said Russ is "about to learn a hard lesson here" - now you're saying you fully understand he needs to get fans onboard??? I can't keep up with your circular argument. You seem like a good guy and I honestly have been reading your posts for years. You know hockey far better than I do - but I think your trying hard to turn a rant into something that makes sense. Serious question, you do think they're in an evaluation year? I think they are too and I'm not sure that approach isn't a pretty bad mistake.

Do you think it's coaching style/system or more of a player complacency issue? I agree that we shouldn't be THIS bad.

I don't know about this season being predictable but now that it's happening it makes sense. I knew an unlikely amount of things had to come together but I thought we'd get more out of our known quantities.

Oh I must have misunderstood you. I thought you said the comments by Rob were to pull the wool over fans eyes. Now it was to publicly buck up Housley's spirit? Thinking Russ forced Rob to say - Housley is doing a good job lately - is definitely not Pulitzer worthy. It's actually quite ridiculous. The team is bad - heck we're all looking for something positive at this point.

We fundamentally disagree that it's defined as "pulling wool" over your eyes - if your assumption is right that he (Russ) tried to inject some positivity. Let's not pretend you know that to be the truth. I'm playing along and saying that if that's true - it's quite alright and not something diabolical. It's a first year coach and a first year GM with a group of players not performing. We're (fans) trying our best to guess why that is. I find it comical that you pretend to absolutely know why.

I think it's possible you could be right and that Housley is doing things the wrong way - we don't really know. However, IMO, it is possible that you're wrong and that Housley is being asked to implement his system despite this current roster would play better if he altered it. 3/4 of our team would be better if we just stayed at home defensively and dumped the puck in offensively. You want that again?

Zzzzz. They don't have the players to run Phil's system - I'm not sure exactly what that looks like because it's such a mess out there right now. However, how his system is described by him and others, this team ain't doing that. It's pretty simple, JBot wasn't brought in to build on top of a nucleus, he was brought in to rebuild. There's no other explanation for the amount of times these lines have changed - they are seeing what they have, in multiple situations, so they know for sure what they want to do. I really can't stand these immature rants. Even if it's true Rob read a script - that's exactly what they should be doing, it's their job. Only the true immature fan would expect the President of the team to reveal his true feelings of the coach and team publicly.

Hands and hockey mind get you to the NHL. Adjusting physically is something that comes with time.

For me there's two thoughts. You move him for whatever you possibly can even though his value is low - or you take advantage of his low value knowing you'll sign him for much less than anticipated prior to the season.

You're nuts - not kidding

We're not good enough to have Lehner as our goalie.

I understand where you're coming from. However I saw a team down 2 goals, stayed with it and came back - had they won in OT, the feeling would be very different. I think seeing a complete game is difficult given we're the less talented team most nights. I agree that this was the last game that had any meaning for this team so it was one I wanted too. I also think this game represents the last meaningful game with the current roster - I can see moves being made now including Kane shortly after the all star game.

I agree this game isn't Lehner's to own but there is just something about his game that's not right for me. I can't exactly identify it. I like his numbers, I like that he can/often does make the amazing save. I think the defensive philosophy, players in front of him and effort is quite embarrassing. Yet there's something beyond that - that won't let me like Lehner. Maybe the easy answer is he lets in too many goals that I consider should be saved.

As a fan I've been patient with Housley. I've tried to understand the line changes and I've tried to figure out what his system is/what it's supposed to be (because to me it's totally unclear). However he makes absolute coaching mistakes in the moments it's not about evaluating - it's time to win. This game is no exception. What is he doing?

Our PP defense is so badly flawed. This has to happen more to us than any other team.