The Ken Hitchcock Circle of Life is Complete -- no, I don't mean he's dead

[Jason]

[ScubaSteve]

No Sydor means this isn't quite worst case scenario, at least.

[SaintAngerBH]

The only thing left to do is hire Modano as the Ambassador of Mouth Breathing.

[slaps]

What the hell does it take to get Curt Fraser fired?

[Jason]

What the hell does it take to get Curt Fraser fired?

On Curt Fraser, he’s still in the conversation to be an assistant coach.

I don’t know if that’s the smartest decision and I know Fraser receives ample vitriol from fans. But for argument’s sake, I’m going to make the case for Fraser.

(Please note this isn’t my opinion. I’m simply playing devil’s advocate.)

Fraser is a good offensive coach. He’s one of the forefathers of the power play drop pass entry and it’s become an effective tool for several NHL teams. The biggest issues isn’t the drop pass, it’s the overuse of the drop pass. Opponents started adjusting to the drop pass and Dallas didn’t make any adjustments.

With adjustments it could become an effective weapon again. If other teams have another entry to defend, the drop pass becomes much more effective. And maybe, while working with a head coach that believes in in-game adjustments, Fraser’s system would work well for the Stars next season.

The Stars are looking at individuals with past ties to Hitchcock. I know one of Hitchcock’s former players has been approached about coaching in Dallas, but he has opted to stay in his current position.

Since Fraser was added to the coaching staff the Stars forwards have the second best offense in the NHL at even strength.

If Fraser's going to be kept for the forwards, then Wilson for D. Hopefully they hire another coach for the PP and PK.

[slaps]

I'm so tired of our players refusing to enter the zone with possession on the power play.

[SaintAngerBH]

The drop pass is fine once in a while. But, not every *fargin'* time.

[Dat1guy]

The drop pass can be cute and effective, and has proven to be so. It ain't no toe drag though.

[ToddM]

Hudler is the undisputed master of it.

[#JTONTFJTGM]

[Troy McClure]

Mike Valley quit. The farm team's GAA just dropped .75.

[ToddM]

This is better news than getting the #3 overall pick.

[Knives Out]

'Cause baby there ain't no GAA high enough,
Ain't no save % for Valley low enough,
Ain't no Glass Fatso wide enough ...

[slaps]

Holy *poo poo*, this is the best off-season ever.

[SaintAngerBH]

[Eskimo Spy]

I have full metal boner.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Though I walked through the darkest Valley, I now fear no evil.

[Jason]

Mailbag

Hitchcock is high on Honka, Lindell, and Klingberg. He told me as much after his introductory press conference. He also indicated that it was hard to really judge the Stars defense last season with how they were handled, so he still had reserved time to make judgement on all players in the defense core

Jim Nill wouldn’t confirm that hiring on Friday, but did say Bedard was one of the candidates for the job. We likely won’t get an official announcement on coaches until after the Stars hire their assistant coaches in the NHL.

[Troy McClure]

I'm with Hitch. How the hell do you evaluate guys like Johns, Oleksiak, and Nemeth given the shitty coaching the team had? They could be as bad as they looked at times or could be better under a better system. Who the hell knows.

[SaintAngerBH]

Yeah. I wonder what would have happened to the Stars had they been able to get AV instead. Ruff was clearly their plan B.

[#JTONTFJTGM]

Yeah. I wonder what would have happened to the Stars had they been able to get AV instead. Ruff was clearly their plan B.

With better defensive personnel than the Stars have had, the Rangers' ability to defend has fallen off a cliff in the last two seasons under Vigneault.

It was the biggest reason they lost a series to the Senators in six games that they should have won easily in five.

[Jason]

Yeah. I wonder what would have happened to the Stars had they been able to get AV instead. Ruff was clearly their plan B.

Jordie Benn and Oduya would've played 40 minutes a game, Klingberg and Lindell 5 minutes a game.

[SaintAngerBH]

I haven't paid attention to the Rangers at all. Is AV really that bad?

[Jason]

I haven't paid attention to the Rangers at all. Is AV really that bad?

Yes, the Rangers would be much better off without him.

[#JTONTFJTGM]

I haven't paid attention to the Rangers at all. Is AV really that bad?

They were much more difficult to score against in his first two seasons there but Henrik Lundqvist was still in his prime then and injuries/wear-and-tear hadn't yet reduced the effectiveness of defenders like Dan Girardi and Marc Staal to the levels they've fallen to in the last two seasons.

Lundqvist had a 4.39 goals against average and .867 save % when the Penguins steamrolled them in the first round of last year's playoffs and they blew late leads and lost in overtime in Game 2 of this year's first round series in Montreal and in Games 2 and 5 in Ottawa.

[ToddM]

Yeah, AV inherited the #2 goalie in the NHL and did jack squat with him. He's got nothing.

[B Kat]

It's pretty tough to win the Cup. NYR have consistently done well under AV. Making the playoffs, and getting to the Finals once. Yes they have Lundqvist, and a collection of mixed parts, and no super star defenseman.

[Jason]

History with Nill in Detroit, just like Fraser (AHL coach in Detroit) had, could be a option they look at as an assistant.

[B Kat]

That would be great.

[slaps]

MacLean would be stellar.