Comments for WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell. at http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp , comment 1 to 6 out of 6 comments http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:29:44 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp/2009-articles/december/worse-how-could-things-get-any-worse-take-a-look-around-here-ellen-were-at-the-threshold-of-hell.html#comment-170 I think we just have to wait it out. Nash needs to find his voice (i.e. not the canned comments & made for tv voice he uses in interviews) and it looks like Mason is sure to stir the pot sooner, rather than later. I've seen some really good games this year, so I'm not convinced adding or subtracting is necessary. We have the talent/muscle, just need to find that heart and motivation. - Wally Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:32:42 +0100 http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp/2009-articles/december/worse-how-could-things-get-any-worse-take-a-look-around-here-ellen-were-at-the-threshold-of-hell.html#comment-169 Man that's your only complaint about my writing troop412?! You must not be reading close enough ;) That one is definitely a bad habit of mine which I'll keep an eye on for ya. I also agree with your point about being handcuffed who we draft but with the way Filatov was handled how can they justify reaching for one again at the top end of a draft? Filatov isn't Ovechkin or Malkin but the kid is going to be a good one.. I compare him to Phil Kessel or a young Paul Kariya. You can't pass on those talents when they are on the board even with the baggage. It will be interesting to see what Howson gets for him. I hope its a young blue chip center. Need Filatov to have a HUGE WJCs. Ep - I hear ya. Great comments per usual. I think now would be a perfect time for a move as well but when I put on my Howson thinkin sneaks I don't see him making the move. The man is almost too patient! Again I think back to last year when this team was so depleted by injuries to the point where half the squad was AHL players the man still held his ground.... The difference between now and then though is the team was finding ways to win (who can forget that 3-0 shutout on the road in Washington). We'll see. Personally I think the Flyers could be a really good trading partner right about now. Brayden Coburn perhaps? Thanks for the commments dcor and lane. Gonna check out that puck-daddy read now. -LTL - LTL Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:13:19 +0100 http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp/2009-articles/december/worse-how-could-things-get-any-worse-take-a-look-around-here-ellen-were-at-the-threshold-of-hell.html#comment-168 interesting post on puck daddy that hits home in a similar sort-of way. thought it may shed some light on the 'grass is always greener....' mentality. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/What-We-Learned-Suspension-debates-wrong-coach?urn=nhl,207110 take it easy and keep on keeping on w/ the blog...great stuff! - lane Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:36:02 +0100 http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp/2009-articles/december/worse-how-could-things-get-any-worse-take-a-look-around-here-ellen-were-at-the-threshold-of-hell.html#comment-167 Loved the write-up. I agree completely with your assessment of the situation. The way I see it, if we were in this situation 4 years ago, we'd all be talking about the potential we showed early on and pointing to the fact that we have an established winner at the helm. We can't let last year's *success* (and I use the term loosely) skew our perspective as fans. As far as I'm concerned, Hitch and Howson have a good thing going here. The fact that we expect our team to win is evidence of this; it's the first time in the franchise's history that we haven't shrugged off a stretch like this. But like you said, Hitch needs to adjust to this franchise just like his players need to adjust to his system. Last year was fun, but no way would we ever win it all with an offense like the one we had. This year, he's turned around the offense (at least to this point in the season) but isn't getting the play in the defensive zone. The important thing is that Hitch is clearly capable of getting his teams to play strong on either end of the ice; his resume says he will eventually get us to play strong in both ends [i]at the same time.[/i] I've already waited a decade for the Jackets to become winners, what's another couple years? (Although perhaps being a Reds fan has just made me numb to losing) The big question shouldn't be whether or not we're willing to stick with the current regime, but whether or not the team will still be in our town. - dcorson17 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:31:57 +0100 http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp/2009-articles/december/worse-how-could-things-get-any-worse-take-a-look-around-here-ellen-were-at-the-threshold-of-hell.html#comment-166 I like the article, for the most part. I think Howson needs to let hitch know that he has to work with what they give him (i.e. can afford). I totally disagree with his handling of Filatov. He is too talented to let go, and will never be a Hitch type of guy. Does that mean we are now handcuffed in who we draft? I REALLY dislike that idea. I read your blog all the time (daily), and think its great. That said, could you do me one favor...it is a playoff "berth," not "birth"...sorry, but that one has been bugging me for a while. I'm not perfect, and no grammar Nazi, but those just have two different meanings. Just trying to help. - troop412 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:27:47 +0100 http://www.bloguinmedia.com/lightthelamp/2009-articles/december/worse-how-could-things-get-any-worse-take-a-look-around-here-ellen-were-at-the-threshold-of-hell.html#comment-165 LTL, Excellent article once gain, I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. This team couldn't even get motivated to face the Foote of doom, heck it was just another game. They are simply not putting in the work right now, it's that simple. However Hitch's inability to motivate the team/losing the team is very worrisome me. Yes it's the players who need to perform on the ice, but it sure feels like Hitch is not helping matters. Howsen is doing the right thing by reinforcing Hitch's position of strength, but it might be moot if he is unable to motivate the locker-room. I think it all depends on how much animosity there already is or isn't between Hitch and the players. Regarding Howsen I think you are correct, he won't do anything. In my humble opinion, the relationship between the players and the coaching staff isn't that great right now, both are stubborn groups and this is a serious situation. Howsen needs to act, this upcoming stretch is crucial in the western conference, if we fall behind 5 or more additional points in the next 5 games we will be fighting an uphill battle to make the playoffs. Don't get me wrong, Howsen shouldn't go all Dougy Mac on us, but he should be doing something to stir the pot.... this product is getting stale quick. I know the answer is in the mirror, especially long-term, but we are reaching a stalemate and even adding a rental could be just enough spark to get us going again. If Howsen does nothing this situation could get ugly really quick. I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't think Hitch or the players are going to resolve this slump on their own, and I fully believe now is the time for Howsen to do something, just do something.. - eplagge Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:59:35 +0100