The Marlies played last night in Utica and it was a zoo of a game. Three fights (which is almost unheard of in the AHL now) a goal called back for no apparent reason, refs who didn’t seem to know the basics, and Mason Marchment serving four consecutive minutes for having thoughts on some of the preceding stuff.
There was no sign of Egor Korshkov, who left the last game injured, and then this happened:
Adam Brooks will not return to tonight's game.#MarliesLive
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) December 12, 2019
Then Ben Harpur stayed gone after his fight. He’s not terribly useful, but he’s big enough to play the depth role in the AHL. He might have just hurt his hand, though.
The debacle began in the second period when the Marlies gave up four goals in about three minutes to make it 5-1 Utica. They had a lot of time to get back on track, and they got three official goals back over the rest of the game, but they picked fighting and taking penalties instead of scoring for the third period. It really did look like a game where a head coach was necessary.
Marchment also had an assist on the goal that was called back and scored the Marlies goal to make it 5-3. He’s had games like this before, and he needs to be reined in, but no one is really holding the reins right now. They got it to 5-4, but then there was only four minutes left after all the penalties, and it wasn’t enough.
Greg Moore is set to join the team when he comes back from the Leafs road trip where he’s been busy learning all about activated D. Please never activate Ben Harpur, okay?
The Marlies are a frustrating and fairly unrewarding team to watch right now even when they win. I can only imagine how much less fun they’ll be when Rasmus Sandin goes off to the WJC. There’s not a lot of prospects there, and a lot of AHL-level grinders who have some skills, and are guys who play with verve (usually a little more controlled verve) but the team feels empty of skill at the moment.
If you want to catch up on the European prospects, you can do that here:
Maple Leafs European Prospect Report: Kara steals the show - Pension Plan Puppets
The European leagues are taking a break, and it’s long past time we caught up with what’s going on there.
Don’t forget the Leafs actually play today, just not until 9 p.m. so that’s virtually tomorrow.
Tonight is Ron Hainsey's 1,100 NHL game. Here's what he had to say😂
— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) December 12, 2019
"I don’t really sit around counting games...We’re the only sport that counts games like this. I’m a big sports fan and I couldn’t tell you many games Derek Jeter has played or LeBron James has played." #Sens
Another one bites the dust:
Source confirms Pete DeBoer has been fired as head coach of the San Jose Sharks. Purely a hockey decision.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 12, 2019
There have been 5 coaching changes in the NHL since the Detroit Red Wings last won a game
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) December 12, 2019
I promised graphs so here they are. Here is a look at the Red Wings goal differential relative to:
— Prashanth Iyer (@iyer_prashanth) December 12, 2019
1. Other teams this season
2. Franchise history (modern era)
3. Worst 75 teams in terms of goal differential
The current season is highlighted in red. Folks... it's not pretty pic.twitter.com/9dWpC3b8ik
So, since all the NHL does now is fire guys, who is the next coach that’s getting the axe?
Who is the next coach to be fired?
| Dan Bylsma of the Red Wings | 37 |
| No wait, their coach is Jeff Blashill | 65 |
| Or is it? I can’t tell them apart | 52 |
| Peter Laviolette of Nashville | 137 |
| Whoever that guy is coaching the Rangers | 34 |
| Craig Berube when St. Louis’s PDO bubble bursts | 28 |
