Carmel Corn

Please NOOOOOO. In this case, the third time is NOT the charm!

They're 30+ years old now, so I don't know if it is fair to compare Jack (22) and Skinner (26) now. Go back 4 to 6 years ago and Kane/Toews were leading the Hawks to Stanley Cup Championships. My point is, your top players can carry a team when they are in their prime....which may be the case now with Eichel and Skinner.

Adjustments (or lack of) clearly an issue. Why is it that we continually have a melt-down in the second period? Do other teams adjust and we don't or are we making bad adjustments....maybe a little of both. Yes, the coaching staff is not the ones making dumb passes, etc, but it is their responsibility to fix it and prevent it from becoming something you see "game in and game out". They are not getting the job done.

Avatar change? All three are talented yes, but I think there needs to be other players added that can be part of a critical mass that demands accountability from the rest of the team. We can use a few more guys who play hard every shift and stick up for their teammates.

A lot of good points here. The only thing I might add is that there are others who do not deserve a pass either. Players like Okposo need to lead by example as well. Yes, he got a goal last night, but I would argue that in general there has not been enough urgency or tenacity in his game to demonstrate to his teammates that he deserves his "A" and big salary. When you're paid to score and it's not happening, then play harder, hit some people, get dirty and protect your teammates....not seeing this with KO IMHO.

In the first period last night, our Risto rocked Kane with a hard check. Captain Toews immediately goes after Risto despite not being known as a fighter and giving up some size as well. They did not drop gloves, but his actions demonstrated how he cares about his team and will take matters into his own hands. I like Jack's talent, but I do not see the same kind of leadership quality and willingness to put himself at risk to support his teammates. Jack would not do the same thing if Skinner got rocked by the other team. It's just not in him and I wish it was.

I'd love to see Okposo gone....but seriously who in the heck will take him....even for nothing in return? I don't see a GM stupid enough in this league to take that awful contract.

Per the topic, I agree that HCPH tenure is not working out. It's pro sports, so the first and easiest change is the HC. The question is who can they get if they fire him. Be certain you can improve vs. just change the HC. Leadership seems to be a problem on this team as well. They anointed Eichel to wear the "C" and there's no going back on that. He may not be the natural born leader to effectively lead, so they need to add more character guys who play hard regardless. Having a group of self-motivated guys is needed to build a critical mass of players who will not tolerate passengers on their ship.

Things are not good for sure, but I don't think the sky has completely fallen. We clearly lack certain types of character players and depth at center for sure. However, we have a talented young core, 4 1st round picks, and salary cap relief coming. If I was a player on another team, I would be wondering about the head coach situation.

I would take him if they take Okposo's contract in return.....I know...not going to happen.

No doubt the roster has weaknesses, but there are new players who are upgrades....Skinner and Dahlin as two examples.

Who knows what gets said privately within the org. but IMHO Housley has not been held accountable enough publicly. If they players love him, you would think they would respond to protect him. Right now, I have no idea how much the players feel because nobody in the press is asking them. It's professional sports, so it's high time the coach is held accountable publicly and let's see how the team reacts.

IDK if I agree. The defense is better because of Dahlin, healthy BOGO (forget about tonight's game) and healthy McCabe. Pilut has shown promise as well. Forward-wise, how can you say that Skinner is not a factor vs. last year? Sam has played a better first half this season vs. last year. Larry is having a better year vs. last year. Sheary adds speed (not much point production though). There are either new players making an impact and returning players showing more than they did vs. a year ago.

IMHO, the GMTM rebuild failed because of OTHER bad deals and acquisitions. Okposo signing is disaster #1. Overpaying a #1 round pick for Lehner #2. Nylander pick not working out so far. Gambling a third for Vesey's rights. There may be more. The ROR deal may actually be one of the better ones he did.

It can never be, but still so tempting to imagine what could have been possible!

There is no spoon!

Yes, unfortunately this is the long standing reputation of the franchise....save the Ray, May, Barnaby years or even further back with Larry Playfair. Didn't Ron Wilson once refer to Buffalo as a chicken-sh*t team? I can only think of one high draft pick since Brad May that had a mean streak (Kassian).

Doubt it....after all, they were missing Larry tonight....how could they be expected to win???

There's the Scandella we know!

Yup, just took the sails out of our wind!

Could it be the" Linus" factor kicking in?

How does the expression go? Something like “You don’t have to run faster than the bear to get away. You just have to run faster than the guy next to you.”

Sorry, but I don't see it. I see a lot of gliding and reaching vs. skating and tenacity. IMHO, there are other players who show more effort with less talent on this team.

He would break Thompson in half....but he would still be taller than Sheary and Pilut.

BOGO is cursed tonight...did you see him nearly walk into the stick rack when leaving the ice?