pi2000

I liked Murray's interview's better. Botterill reeks of corporate GM speak, Murray was off the cuff tell it like it is.

#hockeyheaven

He sure did. But. Where was this franchise center the previous 4 games where he put up 0 points and a -6?

Phil was non-committal in today's interview about what position he would play, said they would look at it tomorrow and after practice. Overruled by JBOTs!

/dev/nullmark

Wait. Botterill said he's playing center? I thought that was the coaches job to decide? Sounds like JBOTs has taken the wheel.

it's just a matter of time before he's a minus player.... CRUCIFY HIM!

72 or 52 i know people

He's not a powdered forward... his game is all about elusiveness. I'm not too concerned about his diminutive physique.

it all depends on who he plays with

Judd

I'm not sure they can feel any worse. The problem is they have no fight, no pride.... they just accept losing, go through the motions and don't change anything... and coach lets them get away with and just keeps playing the same guys. Maybe if he sat some of these clowns for a game or two, they would get the point.

I understand that, but the fact he can't play a few games for BUF then get sent down (like they could do next season) doesn't make much sense. It's a dumb idea if the goal is to just prevent AHL teams from stacking their roster for the playoffs. If a guy doesn't need to clear waivers to be sent down, then it shouldn't matter when. I guess I'm trying to figure out in what situation it would make sense to have that rule.

I get that part of it, but you'd think there would an exception for kids who played college the current season and just turned pro. It would be best for their development if they were allowed to do so.

I'm glad he's signed, but believe he would be better off in Rochester. What jacked up rule prevents him from playing for Rochester in the playoffs? That makes no sense... why?

If they were 10-15 points higher in the standings and trending up, then his job would be safe. However,the fact that they've completely imploded and aren't responding to him whatsoever, tells me the clock will soon strike midnight.

One thing is for certain... they've responded to Housley's challenge. Unfortunately, their response is that they don't respect him as a coach. He's lost this team.

sounds like a prick

So he calls out the leadership group saying it's time for then to step up. Really coach? 9 games left and now is the time for them to step up. The more I hear him talk, the more I lose faith in his ability to coach.

He's a senior right? Why wouldn't he just pull a Vesey and wait until August.

Agree 100%. At worst, Housley was supposed to have them on the verge of a playoff birth with increased scoring and unleashing the offensive potential of our defensemen. They're actually much much worse overall than last season and scoring is down, while goals against are up. They've already given up more goals than they did last season, and are 30 goals behind in goals for. In fact, Ristolainen has regressed significantly... he's on pace for his worst offensive output in 3 years, and his plus/minus has ballooned to a -17 after posting a -9 last season. Remember when everybody here was complaining about Bylsma's system and misuse of Risto as an excuse for his "measly" 40-45 pt output and -9 last season? Housley comes in and Risto regresses... significantly.... and now everybody says Risto just isn't that good.... lol. The only players who look any better are Eichel and Reinhart who IMO are just naturally getting better as they mature. I can't think of one player that has really excelled beyond expectations under Housley.

That's great. 8 games left in the season and he wants them to "start" working. Where was this in September/October? I want him to express his level of frustration with this group verbally, but he also needs to follow this up with benchings and healthy scratches to back up his message, show them who's in charge... otherwise it's all talk. I understand he's a first year head coach, but it's not like he's new to the game, he shouldn't just be figuring this out now. Again, what has he done to deserve another shot next year. This isn't the least talented roster in the NHL as the standings would indicate. Didn't seem to bother Bylsma. Everybody is acting like this is the worst roster in the league... newsflash... this is a better roster than the 78 point team last season (without Eichel for the first 1/2 of the season).. and this group is nowhere near as competitive. That's entirely on the coaching staff. If you're already talking about "how many games before firing Housley next season", then IMO he doesn't deserve the chance.

https://www.thedailygopher.com/2018/3/22/17153412/minnesota-hockey-ryan-lindgren-signs-with-the-new-york-rangers-gophers-defenseman-big-ten "There was a report that the Buffalo Sabres had told Mittelstadt earlier this week that they were ready to sign him if he wanted, but that it would be his decision and they would be fine if he wanted to return to the Gophers for his sophomore season as well. All Minnesota fans can do is to at least hope Mittelstadt will wait and see who the new coach will be before making a decision."

When he's in the lineup the team plays with much less desperation.

so Eichel comes back and Reinhart has 0 points and is a -4 in his last two games... just sayin