3-on-3: Predicting Mike Yeo's future, the Metro Division, and the Sabres' 2nd half
Does Mike Yeo make it through the season as the Wild's head coach?
Justin Cuthbert
Well, it would appear to now hinge on the performance of the thrice-traded Devan Dubnyk. The team has absolutely fallen off the rails in Minnesota - to an extent that a termination is certainly warranted. If Yeo's ridiculous mid-practice tirade wasn't enough, the response from his team said it all. But, general manager Chuck Fletcher has decided to put the onus on himself, and his inability to provide adequate goaltending.
Now, Jon Quick isn't coming through that door, but Dubnyk, unlike the current mood in Minnesota, is extremely motivated. The Wild are desperate for something to rally around, while Yeo is desperate for the Wild to just plain rally.
If they don’t, he won’t survive the season.
Thomas Drance
I truly believe he will, as insane as that sounds at the moment, and here's why:
Yeo was allowed to coach out his lame-duck season last year, and he did a thoroughly excellent job. With Minnesota winning a playoff round for the first time in a decade, Yeo ultimately earned a healthy raise and a three-year deal.
That's a you've-earned-our-trust contract, as opposed to the kiss of death two-year extension.
The Wild have generally been pretty savvy during Fletcher's tenure, and I'd wager that he knows his club's issues are mostly in net and not with the system, or the players quitting.
Because Yeo is plausibly not to blame for the club's struggles, and legitimately earned the trust and commitment of management, he'll have just enough job security to make it through the year if the team can turn it around.
Justin Bourne
Going into a season where Yeo had just signed a three-year deal, the team was going to have to be absolutely terrible for his job to ever be in question. Well, here we are. The Wild are a pretty darn good lookin' team on paper, and sit last in the Central.
I'm guessing they've considered giving him the axe, which is always the first step, but want to see how the team does with Dubnyk in the crease. If they put together a few more losses in a row, I can see them saying enough's enough.
I think that's fairly likely, so I'll give the flat answer: he gets canned.
The Sabres have 31 points through 43 games, and are heading south. Over/Under on 56.5 total?
Justin Cuthbert
Under. Slam dunk. The Sabres finished with a league-worst 52 points last season with a better roster and without the incentive of one Connor McDavid. With the Coyotes selling and the Oilers Oilersing, the Sabres understand they need to up their tank game to make it all worth while.
Alas, winning 13 of their final 38 games, or losing enough in extra time to accrue the equivalent - they only have three all season - isn't happening.
The Sabres stink worse than their record. And as we've learned, these things tend to even themselves out.
Thomas Drance
Under.
The Sabres are the worst team in decades, certainly since the expansion Atlanta Thrashers.
I think they'll fall short of 56.5 and by a wide margin. Hopefully their momentary streak of decent play stands as a reminder to all of us that even the worst team can reel off respectable results over a small sample size.
Justin Bourne
I should've set that bar lower. We're all on the same page here. The Sabres are so bad I can't help but wonder if Tim Murray doesn't watch, do the awkward collar tug and mutter stuff under his breath like, "You may have made this 'trying to lose' thing a bit too obvious here, Timmy."
Organize the Islanders, Penguins, Rangers and Capitals in their year-end finishing order.
Justin Cuthbert
Jeez, good question. Who’s drafting these?
With reluctance:
Penguins - Crosby and Co. have taken adversity’s best shot, yet sit just a point out of first in the East with the conference’s best goal differential.
Rangers - There’s nothing separating the two boroughs, but while Halak has been at his best, Hank hasn't. He gets there.
Islanders - There has to be a speed bump. They have been remarkably consistent and otherwise unflappable, but there just has to be one. Seven of their top eight offensive contributors haven’t missed a single start.
- Capitals - It’s a wild-card finish, but certainly no slight. Washington, a downright terrifying postseason adversary, could just as easily flip these rankings.
Thomas Drance
- Islanders - Bona fide Cup contender, with an excellent defense corps, a deep forward group and goaltending that will be better over the balance than it has been so far. When your biggest problem is who plays with Tavares and Okposo, you don't really have any problems.
- Penguins - Would be in the pole position if they were healthy.
- Capitals - Still the model of power-play efficiency, now with improved defensive play!
- Rangers - These are all playoff teams in my view, but the Rangers' fastball is the easiest to hit.
Justin Bourne
I'll go Penguins, Islanders, Rangers, Capitals. Which, as you two gentlemen have implied, is no slight to anybody - they can't all finish first.
I think the Penguins' best is probably better than the Islanders' best by a hair, though I do like the Islanders' game more in a playoff series. And the Caps' rough start handicaps them a good deal. Also, how much would you love these matchups in the playoffs? Pens-Caps, Rangers-Islanders? I'd lose my mind.