Pokey Jones

This idea speaks to what I've been saying since the day I got here - it's the culture that has to change. It's gone on for too long to be one guy or one incident. I don't think there is any question their are poisonous components on this team, it's up to JBot to figure out who they are and deal with it or nothing will ever change. I have to assume they do not think Eichel is a problem however, or else they wouldn't have signed him to the big extension.

Aren't listening or simply are incapable of doing what he asks, either way they suck.

It's funny to me that Gorges, the guy everybody wanted waived and off the team in preseason is now looked to as the savior of the D. It's all relative I suppose. Bottom line is the D sucks (and that includes most of the forwards in their D game, even Eichel) so trying to hold a one goal lead in the third period of this or any game by dropping into a D shell is just plain stupid. Stupid team, stupid coach, it's just all stupidly the same as always.

I used to work with Dave's dad summers at Stelco. Big gentle giant, like father like son. Got to play hockey once with big Dave in a pick up game. You really find out how bad you are when you get a chance to actually play with a (future at that time) NHLer. Nice guy. Honestly think Martin should be in the hall more than Dave but good for Dave.

I remember that Schoenfeld moment but this one was my favourite of all time:

Hate the Leafs. Always have. Always will. Hate the Habs more, but hate 'em both. But it sounds like you are advocating a complete rebuild and I cannot find much fault with that.

Believe me I know we are thin and don't have many options which is why I'd try to be more creative until we get new blood and the Mittlestadts or whoevers to arrive. In the short term, I'd play both Pommer and Bailey with Jack and Kane. bailey more against more physical teams but both of them. I'd have the coaches keep telling Bailey over and over use the body, play the man, hit more, play physical, open up space for Jack. Now here's the crazy idea. When the D is healthier I'm going to try Beaulieu on Jack's wing. Why? Cause he is big and strong for a forward and has great speed. He can go to the front, screen, open up space and dig in the corners. We need a big physical body who can keep up with Jack to make that line function better. Until we have one, that's the best fit I have.

Meh. Ray gets kind of repetitive if you ask me. I rarely listen to the intermissions. Usually flick around or do something else.

Well we differ on that one, cause I think while Jack makes Reinhart better, Reinhart makes Jack worse. Definitely not the guy I want Jack growing with and developing his game/habits.

We won that very first lottery where we got Perreault and Vancouver got Dale Tallon. That was pretty big (understatement). So how much karma do we have to pay back for that?

Totally agree with this. Don't see this Montreal team making the playoffs either and Julien will be fired seasons end at the latest.

He had more shots, but everybody who plays with Jack looks a little better and gets more chances. He stays on that line he might even get a few points, but it'll be because of Jack.

I'm getting tired of his positive attitude post gamers. It looks like he is pampering fragile egos, and if that's the case, I'd prefer they shipped these fragile boys out instead of mollycoddling them. Take a lesson from Babcock, he don't put up with fragile egos and he gets results.

RNH? Just what the team needs, another under achiever. If we trade Kane, I want picks and promising prospects preferrably on D. Guys who can be molded and taught to play the system, not egos and under performers or other team's problems.

wtf? This is just plain dumb. Even at his worst Jack is by far the best player on the roster. You really want to sit someone (if you think it'll help which it won't) sit Reinhart.

I agree with the first part. I've said all along Housley has to be given a vote of confidence. the players have to be told he isn't going anywhere and it's them that have to step up and deliver or be gone. As for that list of players who knew how to win, I'd say only Goose fits that label. Everyone else on that list has underperformed to the expectations teams that got them have had, especially in the playoffs. Yes, Kane, Lehner and Reinhart are your most valuable trade commodities, although I doubt Reinhart gets you much at this stage.

Can you blame him though?

No more days off after single wins. No more light practices to reward meager effort. Time to call people out and clamp down hard. Work them all and anybody who quits on that gets shipped out of town.

They said on HNIC that Pittsburgh is looking for an experienced back up. Send them Chad while we can.

It's hard to point to a specific problem when the real answer to what is wrong with this team is everything.

We are so bad I'm guessing his hands are tied. Other teams will simply look to pick at the bones on the carcass, they'll feel we are desperate and they will offer us nothing.

It's ok if Jack has a bad stretch if someone else plays well...................somebody................anybody................

Oddly, after the last game I predicted we'd see a lot of 2-1 losses this year. Go figure. Same old same old, these guys just can't finish. Can't score. Lots of people wanted Reinhart on Eichel's line and you got it, and he got exactly zero points. For those of you that called this a "good" hockey game, your bar has really fallen low. Neither one of those teams on the ice tonight is any good. Rubbish. Total rubbish.

I mean recently. Currently. When we did, we went to the final. Now we languish.

I don't think veteran leadership is the answer. I think you do go with all kids. Best way to build a new culture is not have guys who are stuck in an old one. The key to that however is having a coach that is respected and locked in place - Toronto. When the players know the coach is there to stay then they know it's all on them and maybe then they do as they are told and learn to play together in that style.