Chuck, I think AV is kidding himself with the correctable mistakes. The mistakes as I see them are the painful lack of footspeead between girardi and staal which isn't changing, the fact that every time I look up boyle is near the opposing goalline instead of the one he's supposed to be protecting resulting in numerous oddman rushes. And every time McD pinches lately he misses and its 2 on 1 on girardi which hank wants to see as much as custer wanted to see more indians at the little bighorn. On a positive note AV is finally using dylan a little more especially on the PK (finally) and even yesterday on a 4 on 4. The kid right now is hands down our best RD and will be very tough with all the positives the kid is bringing right now: strong defense, nice outlet passes, crease clearing and even some good offensive moves(that first goal will be coming shortly) to put him back on the bench when klein returns. If he does I will then realize that AV's gum is laced with cocaine.
I guess he was kidding himself last year and the season prior to that also when the same exact thing happened and we turned it around. AGAIN...you doubters need to realize we have seen this exact same script the past two seasons under AV. You have all doubted things the past two seasons as well. Now as I have said MANY times that does NOT mean we will turn it around for sure this season...not at all...but you guys love to act like this is different, this is unprecedented, but it isn't. Same exact script as the past two seasons. Maybe that doesn't mean sh*t and we stink all season...possible for sure...but PLEASE stop acting as if this is some new thing we haven't beaten to death each of the past two seasons as well. This is not new and not some never seen thing for us during our run the past few seasons.
Chuck, I don't remember the lack of footspeed the last 2 years as noticeable as this year with girardi and staal. I'm not a doubter so don't label me as one. You can be a fan and point out obvious weaknesses at the same time. I expect us to play better once step comes back and it sounds like he started skating the last couple of days which will be a big help. Unless they finally sit boyle when klein comes back I don't see an upgrade at all if the swap is simply klein for Big Mac.
If they swap out Dylan for Klein for any length of time more than a game or two then you've got to just give up on AV knowing what the hell he is doing anymore. Dylan has been our best dman period. When Klein comes back, I'd like to see AV rotate ALL the dmen and give everyone rest and time to work and refocus.
Here is what I know. This thread is the exact same thread that has been started each of the past two Decembers. That simple really. I know it is "so different" but the reality is it isn't mel...whether you were posting about this the last two seasons or not, this thread is the exact same as the prior two seasons. And I know you will focus on Kreider and McIlrath, but AV isn't stupid enough to bench Mac when Klein returns. My guess is we start to see some sort of a rotation where all the guys get rested here and there. I very seriously doubt Mac goes back to the bench 95% of the time and our 6 are our 6 when Klein is back. If I am wrong and AV does that, I will be leading the charge against him.
chuck, go and enjoy the rest of the weekend. You spend way too much time on this website defending AV and this team.
And the last 20 years this team has won what? Jack shit. That's what.Yet you continue to talk like this is a team that has won championships.
Funny...but I am not defending AV at all to be honest. I really don't have a strong feel for him either way. I think he is a solid coach, but not a great one. I have no great love for AV...trust me. I don't even really think I am defending the team per se. I am not saying we'll turn it around for sure or we'll become a big time team this season. All I am saying is we have seen this script before, and I will choose to have patience, more than 30 games +/- for sure, before I write the team off or act as if it isn't salvageable...double so considering what has happened the past few seasons. My bigger point is we have seen this before. I agree with Mess, and Dis, and Prod on the state of the team. I am willing to give them more than 30 games to prove how good (or bad) they are.
We have won 0 cups the past 20 years dump...no argument there. BUT I also know you need to be in it to win it. I also know we have won a ton of playoff series the past 4 seasons and been right there. And I also know many people have sold on this team in December the past few seasons and said we suck, but we finished those seasons with a SCF trip, a Pres trophy, and an ECF trip. Just saying...
Team has issues and has been playing crappy for 3-4 weeks now but it's no different then past 2-3 years where they struggled for a bit and then got rolling in the new year. They will fix the defensive issues. Hopefully Kreider and Hayes can start producing offensively. It's a long regular season guys.
Rut ro chuck you have been labeled an AV lover. All objectivity is thrown out the window now lol. I think both sides are making a valid point, chuck is correct we have been on this same path before where the d is looking sluggish and we have come out of it just fine. However, personally you know my feelings in staal, hate the extension at the time it was given, ive been waiting for him to come back to a top flight dman and rhat isnt happening and now i do nit expect it to happen. Ryan has slowed down his improvement to a point he has seemed to level off or perhaps taken a step back. Is it the early weight of being named captain? Danny G is slowing down, thats not a knock as much as it reality. The coaching staff wants to open up and play more offense vs the prior staff, everyone is on board but you have to give to get. No more 5 men camping out blocking shots..wings and centers hanging at the blue line looking for the quick counter...perhaps not back checking as hard as in the past... Am i overally concerned... No. Why... Because as chuck has mentioned this team has played the most games the past 3 to 5 seasons of any team in the league, right now they have mentally checked out becuase of the start, the cushion they grabbed early. The season is a long haul dips will happen. I have faith in the staff and players to correct this and get back to playing solid hockey. I think rotating out the dmen will help. Klein going down was a blessing. ..not saying i want girardi to go down but he could use a nice week to week and a half rest. Rangers in 7! Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Well said Al...and I actually don't disagree with you on Staal and Girardi. I don't think those guys are going to have some huge bounce back to 2 or 3 years ago, but I do think they'll be better than they have been this season and get back to solid 2nd pair type dmen. Klein is a solid 2nd pair type dman. I think McIlrath has shown himself to be a solid dman also. Yandle will be what he will be. And I expect McDonagh to be a solid 1st pair type dman. Add it all up and the D is solid from top to bottom once they get their sh*t together. I also truly believe once Klein is back, I assume next week, other dmen will be rested here and there and it won't simply be Boyle or McIlrath scratched. I think Girardi will get some games. Hopefully even Staal will get some games...I think one of those RD should be able to play LD for a couple of games. Big picture overall I am still way more concerned about the O than the D...we need Kreider/Hayes/Miller to get going.
Watching the defense in Calgary end of 3rd period & OT........... they were not attacking but playing 'pass the puck' behind Ranger net. WTF! I'd say they were happy with the one point...... after seeing what occurred in Edmonton the night before. Too tentative only leads to defeats!
