pi2000

They seem to get up and play well against good teams... they did this last season too. The issue is wether or not they can play 60min with the same focus and intensity against weaker opponents... and that's how I'll evaluate Housley.

I was at both games this weekend. It was super fun and enjoyable to watch. Props to Housley for getting a solid 60min effort from this group That said, I'm not sure they've turned a corner, and I'm not sold on Housley as HC. If they can build on this and beat teams (at home) which they should beat, then my tune might change.

That happened just about right in front of me. Elite level awareness to recognize where his teammates were, combined with elite level skill to execute the play. He's still growing as a player, I'm not he makes that play 2 years ago.

I've seen all of Skinner's goals this season.... in person.

smart

I don't understand why you would quit on a team if they're bad. That's just part of being a fan, you take the good with the bad. There's more to discuss when they're losing.

And Okposo is only a minus 1. He's better.

I'll be there. I'll let everybody know what happened.

Taking a step back, Vegas and SJS should beat Buffalo, especially on home ice. BUF should be competitive against LA. ANA should throttle them, they're playing fantastic and Gibson is the hottest goalie in the league. Going 2-3 on that road trip, playing 3 of the top teams in the entire league, is not terrible. That said, if they continue to get outplayed by less talented teams, then yeah, that's a problem.

It's different because Hutton is not an established starter. Him and Ullmark should be competing for the starting job.

IIRC Gallant became available in November of 2016, Bylsma's 2nd (and final) season. Eichel was crippled at the time and missed half the season, yet Bylsma squeezed 78 points out those clowns... he was rewarded with a pink slip... and here we are heading into Nov of Housley's second season. History has a way of repeating itself, wonder who becomes available in a few weeks?

Housley f'd it up by not starting Ullmark in Vegas. As a player, when your goalie gets a shutout, it builds a tremendous amount of confidence throughout the team.... you ride that wave as long as you can. That's how hockey works, it's a sport of momentum and confidence. Not that they don't have any confidence in Hutton, of course they do, but Ullmark played fantastic, players need to see those types of performances are getting rewarded.

I'll preface this by saying I think its still too soon to fire Housley. IMO Dave Tippett would do wonders for this group. He's stern, demanding and won't flinch at benching guys. His teams have always played hard for him and he has over 1000 games under his belt as head coach, winning the Jack Adams award in 2010. The clock may be ticking tho as he's been hired as an advisor for the Seattle group.

That's 100% coaching. People will be surprised how much better these guys play with a better head coach.

O'Reilly and..... O'Reilly

It sucks but it's true. I know this from talking with the players themselves, some now retired, others still in the league.

...meanwhile Robin Lehner stops 28 of 30 in a 7-2 thumping of the Kings in LA. They'll be fired up on Saturday. ROR would sure look nice on the PK right about now... meanwhile Berglund is a healthy scratch because of one missed assignment... And that assignment was covering for one of many Ristos gaffes. Eichel and Risto are a combine -11 in 6 games.... but that stat doesn't mean anything. Okposo is a -1, looking much better all around than last season. Looks like he's going to breakthrough offensively very soon.

Oh that's right. It was Bylsma final year that Gallant hit the market... In November IIRC.

Bylsma at least made some lemonade out of some lemons. Housley is turning that lemonade into a shiiit stew. I wouldve liked to see what Bylsma would've done with last year's roster. If it didn't work out, Gallant was there for the taking during the season. I'd like to see what Dave Tippett could get out of this roster... His teams in Arizona always overachieved.

Taylor Pyatt part deux

I said this 3 years ago. Risto has always been a very high minus player for a reason... Low hockey IQ. He should be on the upswing of his career at his age, but it appears he's actually regressing. When Housley was hired, the idea was that he could develop the blue line. Scandella looks awful, Risto awful, Dahlin looks like an 18 year old playing tight and nervous... He should be flashing his offensive ability more often. Nelson's development has stagnated, same with McCabe.

Phil doesn't have the pro head coaching experience to know how to put guys in position to succeed. Who exactly has developed under him?

I thought Housley would've been a better fit in Rochester at the time of his hiring. He has no pro head coaching experience.... None. That's not the tyow of guy for a young inexperienced team.