Elevate the new core

[the miracle]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

[theograce]

I like Jake a lot, but too early for me.

It’s a mess

And Broberg with an A? Jesus no…what has he proven?

[dhsux]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

While I would not bet against them in time, way too soon for most of those younger guys wearing letters anyway..

There's likely only 1 A spot that could open next year, and Jake would be a prime candidate. After that, it would be the Captaincy spot and pending if RT gets back to his game and when Schenn would be giving it up I would see he or CP in line with Jake a real possible if he has a few years of Alternate under his belt.

But you may have something there with it all pending just how bad or good this team goes this year all said and done. An example of this is how Thomas has fallen in a lot of eyes for a Captains spot just over the past 20 plus games. That guy just has to start shooting the effing puck ...truly mystifying.

[Old_Goat]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

You are absolutely right. Seniority, time in service, age and even points production should be second order criteria to actual leadership capability when naming whom should be the Leader.

[the miracle]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

While I would not bet against them in time, way too soon for most of those younger guys wearing letters anyway..

There's likely only 1 A spot that could open next year, and Jake would be a prime candidate. After that, it would be the Captaincy spot and pending if RT gets back to his game and when Schenn would be giving it up I would see he or CP in line with Jake a real possible if he has a few years of Alternate under his belt.

But you may have something there with it all pending just how bad or good this team goes this year all said and done. An example of this is how Thomas has fallen in a lot of eyes for a Captains spot just over the past 20 plus games. That guy just has to start shooting the effing puck ...truly mystifying.

Hockey is a little bit too "old school" for something like this to ever really happen. You picked up on it - there's a bit in my post about disappointment in Thomas this season. And some of this is trying to be realistic about this team and its contracts - Thomas, Kyrou, Buch, Parayko - the guys who became "the core" after the Stanley cup core broke off - probably aren't going anywhere. While I'm not in the locker room, it sure doesn't seem like they want to be leaders - but hockey seems to equate longevity to leadership.

I would settle for ANYONE on the team to shoot the effing puck, but Thomas especially.

[the miracle]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

You are absolutely right. Seniority, time in service, age and even points production should be second order criteria to actual leadership capability when naming whom should be the Leader.

Yeah, and I'm not in the locker room to know if Neighbours is a leader or not. He seems like one based on his play.

Parayko has been here through 5 coaches. Not sure the dude who helped get 4 coaches fired should be the leader of the players. (And that's a gross exaggeration and totally unfair to Colton - I think most agree that there appears to be a player problem on this team, and not sure how you can generate change among the players by rewarding the ones who created the situation)

[Old_Goat]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

You are absolutely right. Seniority, time in service, age and even points production should be second order criteria to actual leadership capability when naming whom should be the Leader.

Yeah, and I'm not in the locker room to know if Neighbours is a leader or not. He seems like one based on his play.

Parayko has been here through 5 coaches. Not sure the dude who helped get 4 coaches fired should be the leader of the players. (And that's a gross exaggeration and totally unfair to Colton - I think most agree that there appears to be a player problem on this team, and not sure how you can generate change among the players by rewarding the ones who created the situation)

Yes sir.
Very difficult to make the assessment without being able to observe all aspects of each individual's style, words and behavior on & off ice as well as the response & reactions from rest of the group, before making the decision to put that C on. But it usually takes more than just whom gets the C. I actually think that Schenn is worthy of the C...hey, I could be wrong. But there has to be somewhat of a supporting leadership cast, and they have to be sincerely on the same page. At least I have not heard nor have the sense that there is any disingenuous intrigue with informal leaders. I hope not, his effort and actions on the ice do not appear to warrant that... There is a lot more to know. I/we don't know it. Wish I did.

In the meantime, the schemes and strategy is not working for the players we have. They are NHLers, obviously no "generational" talent types, but World Class nonetheless. That's on the Head Coach to coach to what you have. I am a Montgomery believer. But he needs to take a hard look at his Assistants and anyone else whom he is relying on to develop the various strategies, combinations, what to focus on in practice, etc. It is not rocket science. Calling the timeout to scribble on the white board didn't work. Next time, maybe just call the timeout and say, "Everyone sit down, catch your breath & clear the lactic acid for 1 minute, and go back out there and get the job done!"

[zamadoo]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

You are absolutely right. Seniority, time in service, age and even points production should be second order criteria to actual leadership capability when naming whom should be the Leader.

Yeah, and I'm not in the locker room to know if Neighbours is a leader or not. He seems like one based on his play.

Parayko has been here through 5 coaches. Not sure the dude who helped get 4 coaches fired should be the leader of the players. (And that's a gross exaggeration and totally unfair to Colton - I think most agree that there appears to be a player problem on this team, and not sure how you can generate change among the players by rewarding the ones who created the situation)

Yes sir.
Very difficult to make the assessment without being able to observe all aspects of each individual's style, words and behavior on & off ice as well as the response & reactions from rest of the group, before making the decision to put that C on. But it usually takes more than just whom gets the C. I actually think that Schenn is worthy of the C...hey, I could be wrong. But there has to be somewhat of a supporting leadership cast, and they have to be sincerely on the same page. At least I have not heard nor have the sense that there is any disingenuous intrigue with informal leaders. I hope not, his effort and actions on the ice do not appear to warrant that... There is a lot more to know. I/we don't know it. Wish I did.

In the meantime, the schemes and strategy is not working for the players we have. They are NHLers, obviously no "generational" talent types, but World Class nonetheless. That's on the Head Coach to coach to what you have. I am a Montgomery believer. But he needs to take a hard look at his Assistants and anyone else whom he is relying on to develop the various strategies, combinations, what to focus on in practice, etc. It is not rocket science. Calling the timeout to scribble on the white board didn't work. Next time, maybe just call the timeout and say, "Everyone sit down, catch your breath & clear the lactic acid for 1 minute, and go back out there and get the job done!"

I agree. The coach needs to settle things down and get this straightened out. They're not losing from tough luck or scheme, they're losing while appearing lost and disjointed. Do they even know what system they're running? They'd be better off just doing a pure zone scheme and defending like it's a PK than whatever they're doing chasing guys around and puckwatching (or not).

[Bluesbacker]

I still have some hope the Blues can turn this around, but that hope is flickering.

I know this will probably never happen in a million years - and fully admit there are reasons not to do it - but if the season continues to devolve, after management sells off whatever pieces they can this year, I hope they put the new core in positions of leadership. I like Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko and believe they have a place on this team into the future - but they don't strike me as leaders. Make Neighbours the captain after Schenn leaves, make Dvorsky / Snuggerud / Broberg assistant captains - guys who have a high level of compete. Tell them its their team now.

If the Blues want to change the lackadaisical mentality of the players, don't go the route of "well, Parayko/Thomas is the next player in line for the captaincy". The team needs a radical change in mentality and not sure how that can happen when you just put the leadership in the next most senior player's hands. The team's not going to find it in free agency, the old core will be gone soon and the "next" core, while fine players, aren't leaders. Find the leaders in the youth of the team and give them the keys. They can't do any worse than the vets on the team.

I like the idea. I have one change I would make, Remove Dvorsky (at least for now) and insert Dylan Holloway.

[Bacchk29]

They don’t play inspired. That points at the captain if you value that. I don’t really in the age of the modern player. If you’re looking for possible reasons, Schenn has been a constant in that role. Missed two point blank chances again last night didn’t hit the goal. He’s a guy I move ASAP and leave the captaincy open.

[Blues Dave]

Little inconsistencies by a portion of players kind of adds up to what we're seeing. That's why I believe this team is actually much better than how they're playing. It's hard to fix every one. I guess I would still think of it as not being able to jell. (yet....I hope)

[Old_Goat]

They don’t play inspired. That points at the captain if you value that. I don’t really in the age of the modern player. If you’re looking for possible reasons, Schenn has been a constant in that role. Missed two point blank chances again last night didn’t hit the goal. He’s a guy I move ASAP and leave the captaincy open.

Completely agree. No need to rush and immediately anoint a Captain, particularly mid-season if the existing C goes. The C does not have to be on one of the Top lines, but they need to be reliable with their play in whatever that role is and dependable with their chances.