Second Line Center

They had a fight at practice yesterday?

It’s looking like 8 seed or bust. Tampa is so frustrating. Isles 2 games in hand but tough schedule. I feel like they peaked already under Roy.

Dahlin and Benson combined hockey IQ is a million.

Lol - can always coach em. Unfortunately he still needs it.

I think he’s been good defensively tonight and maybe DG is telling him “look I’m confident in your game you just keep playing like this.”

The Isles have 14 freaking OT losses. 3 fewer Regulation wins then us. Ridiculous.

AZ up 2-1 on Detroit NYR up 2-1 on TB Philly down 3-0 also. Worth watching them some to as team that could fall back.

Benson is so dam good.

If things break right this week and we win the next 2 we could be only 1 point out after Saturday.

What is going on???

Time to man the ***k up. Statement needs to be made.

I think guys like him had to work so hard just to make it - he was almost a bust. Now he’s a number 1C with a big contract - so Tage, we’re going to need you to now lead this group of kids to the playoffs and a Cup. We got several of them to figure out how to be productive; figuring out how to win consistently is another thing. And I think that’s kind of how I see this team and why it’s more about the coaching. Stop coddling them publicly or seeming to be so concerned with hurting feelings and get them to hate losing more then loving to win. The benching of Skinner and JPP today might just be a sign that the organization and DG are headed toward that now. Guys need to feel uncomfortable and that’s ok. So long as they know why they only played 7 minutes. More importantly like today, we win the game. Giving decisions like that made by DG credibility.

The depth at D now vs where we were in 2022 is significantly better. With a top 4 that could be elite - one of the best groups in the NHL. I said it a month or so ago. If and when Power reaches his potential this team will become a Cup contender. And I feel like he’s getting close…turning a corner it took Dahlin time to find to.

Skinner at 6 minutes TOI

Skinner officially in the doghouse. 3:00 TOI

Skinner is so bad

Detroit - who lost 7-2 on Wednesday - is getting pummeled by Arizona. That would be 4 losses in a row. My God, what a waste of a season. We couldn’t at least stay within 3-5 points of the WC thru the new year? When were we last that close? End of October? Just so bad. So so bad.

I feel like he looked dejected. That there is more “wrong” that needs to be addressed then he was expecting. Scoring down. The play of his top 2 centers has been inconsistent to poor - and that’s the biggest reason we are where we are. But the Goalie and D situation looks good. Finally should get a real Captain. The team needs a change in its approach to the forward group - too small too passive and not skilled enough to make up for lack of physicality. The team isn’t tough. Not physically. Mentally. They aren’t embracing the expectations. If this continues a new coach can deal with that. Power and Tage are the key to this. If Tage gives us at least 85 percent of his last 2 years we’ll be fine. This Tage? Need to trade him. And Power needs to be better playing this many minutes. If that happens, if Muel plays 65 plus games, and if UPL is the man then this team will make the playoffs next year. I’m not going to worry about the coach right now bc they aren’t firing him before say November. If we start slow DG will be gone. He’s got one more shot whether we like it or not and Adams has to get 2 new forward pieces to play with the kids. AND SKINNER HAS TO BE THAT GUY TO GO

Skinner is going to finish at around 11 mins TOI That’s awesome.

There is no way he’s getting traded. 2 centers dealt? These guys need to play under someone else - DG got them this far but it’s time give them fresh eyes. And that probably ain’t happening anyway.

And he scored as I type that. See. Hang in there.

Look I’m not giving up on Power at all - I think the fact they’re all playing like trash speaks to something else.

Have you seen him this season? That draft was as bad as the Reinhart draft. Out of Covid made it impossible. I’m worried we didn’t get a proper evaluation of those guys - it was Luke Hughes and jags https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2021e.html We can’t tank in the right season.

Okposo Skinner Girgenson Olofsson and EJ all need to be gone tomorrow