kipwinger

I find it odd that you're lamenting the job the GM has done in a year where we've younger, bigger, more skilled, and healthier than we've been in years. And in the same year where he went out, got the coach exactly what he wanted at the trade deadline, and those two players are playing better than anybody on the team (other than Abby). What else do you want Holland to do? Other than coach and/or play the actual games himself, I think he's done a pretty good job.

As always, glad to see Tootoo doing well. He was a classy guy when he was here, and I'm happy to see him land on his feet. Hopefully this season's effort will earn him something a little bit more long term from the Devils. He probably wouldn't be a bad guy to have around during their rebuild. He's got the right attitude and the right work ethic. Probably isn't going to make a difference on the ice most nights, but could be a good locker room guy for the kids they'll be bringing in soon.

Didn't have a chance to watch the game, but glad they got the win. How'd we look? I see the refs helped us out a little on the OT winner. When will the league, Bettman, the refs, etc. be held accountable for their Red Wings bias? I mean, first the Dallas game and now this? Lol.

If Babs had eleventy billion cups I'd cut him some slack too.

Well, you can argue it all you want. But Mike Babcock is on record as saying this is the best team, AND the most offensively capable team, we've had since 2009. If you completely disagree, then maybe that says something about the coach you favor.

Again, I think he's a good coach too. But I don't think he's the right one for this team right now. The proof is in the pudding. He's got a very good team right now, its up to him to do something with it. I don't expect a cup this year. But I do expect more than a late season collapse and early playoff exit. And I don't think that's asking too much out of a top coach leading a team full of 20+ goal scorers and veteran stars.

Point taken. But struggle more than what? Repeated first round loses and late season floundering? I'm not talking about replacing him after a whole bunch of division or conference championships. When was the last time we even won our division? Its not like he's tearing up the regular season and then losing playoff Heartbreakers. We've been consistently mediocre of late. He's got a bigger , younger, healthier, and more talented lineup than he's had in years. If he can't get it done this season, I don't see why it would be such a bad idea to consider a change in direction. You take that back! I have never, ever, been on the Babcock bandwagon and that is well documented around here lol.

I think he does stand in the way. Elsewhere I have pointed out that when our team was in the midst of its best winning streaks, and 5 on 5 scoring this year, he's repeatedly castigated the team and changed the lines to get the goals against down lower. He has repeatedly changed a winning lineup, for one that loses, although by a closer goal margin. He wants a banging, crashing, defense first style of play, and we just dont have the team built for that.

I've seen mike Babcock regularly referred to as a genius, and a hero around here. And the fact that the mere idea of replacing him is met with such objection, seems to echo that. I'm not saying g replaced him with Marc Crawford or john tortorella. But I am saying that its not unrealistic to think that blashill could do better with this team full of guys he's already won with.

I'm sure you are lol.

You're obscuring the point though. I was simply stating that those were great teams, and if he were so heads and tails better than every other coach then he probably should have won with them. And if he didn't win with those great teams, then clearly he's not so excellent that talk of replacing him is as absurd as it is often made out to be.

Because I don't believe he is great. I think he's good. And I think he'd be great in an organization that shared his philosophy. But in this one he's a square peg in a round hole. As his use of legwand, Weiss, glendening, and Anderson attest. Get a coach who knows how to utilize the types of talent our organization supplies. That's easier than finding a new gm, scouts, etc. And why would you want to anyway? They're more accomplished than he is...by a lot.

Because we are a team full of guys who, because of our late round picks, were selected for their hockey smarts and skill level. And not because of their physically dominant traits. And because he's a coach who consistent wants to subordinate offense for "heaviness", and shot suppression. He'd be a great coach for teams like Columbus, LA, or Anaheim. But not for a team full of guys who learned how to play the game in a European, puck possession, type system.

Yes. Every great coach was a rookie once. I don't see how that precludes someone from being in the discussion. Further I don't think this team is right on the cusp of greatness. It'll be a year or two before we are an elite team again. When our young guys enter their primes. At which point blashill wouldn't be a rookie anymore. He would, however, still be the coach who has won with these guys, developed these guys, built report with these guys, and (hopefully) brought a fresh perspective to their abilities, and dynamic.

I don't expect him to win ever single year, but you guys are downplaying some of the really great teams he had and lost with. His teams were not mediocre in 2005 or 2009. I get irritated when people act like he's had nothing to work with. He's had good, to great teams since joining the wings. He's got one cup. He's not such a super duper coach that its anathema to even consider life after Babcock.

Mike Babcock was a rookie once too. I'd take Blashill, or any number of other coaches provided they fit the team. I'm not saying let babs walk for no reason. But I don't think that its unrealistic to think another coach could get more out of this team. Quenneville and Sutter were cast offs from other teams too. Something tells me their organizations aren't regretting the fact that they took a flier on a fired coach.

He did the same thing with Legwand. I can't say its not situational, but he does have a track record.

Has Babcock grown to such mythic status that its absurd to even consider another coach? Because if he is that good, why don't we have more cups under his tenure? Why is it so hard for people to acknowledge that he can be a good coach, but the wrong one for this team, at the same time?

Do Blashill's teams score at 5on 5? If so, adios Babs.

I wouldn't get cocky. You've been accused of being my sock account. Meaning you and jimmy are the same guy too, if true. The accusor? Jimmy.

I'm the worlds best uncle. Last year, for Christmas, I sent my nephews quite a few selfies I took in Vegas. They sent me back a "Thank you" card.

What a lamb. Thank you for noticing!

They've been successful in all the ways Pittsburgh hasn't actually. Pittsburgh has consistently underwhelmed since 2009 precisely because their role players have been terrible, and Crosby, Malkin, and Letang can't win playoff series' alone.

For some reason I get the impression we have the same sense of humor. Can't put my finger on it though.

Your mom is my mom too...because we are the same. So are you saying that I tried to fight our mom? Because nobody talks about our mom that way! And if you say it again I will punch your mom in the face, so help me god!