I just 100% disagree. When you look at the TOI, you have to realize just how severly Bednar has tied our chances on the top 5 playing 30+ minutes a night. The reason being, they are the only 5 players in the world capable of playing his system and they can't even play it as well as they did 3 years ago. *Danger, Will Robinson!*
The reason Bednar tied his wagon so strongly to the first unit is because when they are on, they are they only ones in the NHL that can play it, and he's got nothing else. He's never adjusted in game well, probably because he doesn't know how else to tell them to play. You keep looking at our bottom nine and saying they suck. I look at them and say that most NHL coaches could find a use for them. Expecially Casey, Jusso, and Ross. In fact, if Bednar wasn't so gung-ho on trying to get his 3rd and 4th lines to play like his 1st and allowed them to play the body like they are supposed to and like CMac brought them in to do, they'd be not only playing much better but actually able to contribute since they would playing to their strengths.
Pefect example is CMac giving an interview the day he traded Mikko and he said that he brought Drury in to be that 3C we needed. What does Bednar do? Sticks him on the 4th line for several games.
I love Bednar. I will never not get emotional watching his speech at the end of the parade. But I really, really do not enjoy seeing him squirm like this with no answers.
THIS!
My god, all I can see is a petulant child who refuses to give up on trying to bash square pegs into round holes and vice versa. CMac needs to take the hammer away from Bednar and mechanically agitate his head with it.
It's possible that both are true. Did you see Colton start hitting guys and going to the net in the third period after he was moved to Mack's wing? It was night and day from the wet noodle he's been.
What is it though.. was he just pouting on the third line, did Bednar coach the snarl out of him?
It is really disconcerting that Bednar "liked their game outside of the result" against Nashville. A team you you're significantly better than and you let them choke the life out of you? That game was infuriating to watch especially coming out of a two week break for everyone not in the tournament. They were sleepwalking.
Wait.... CMac envisioned Casey or Jusso as a 2C?
I sorta remember CMac saying he was brought in to play 3C, and my impression was that was in order to shift Kelly to wing. Although...man, I'm not finding that anywhere now so... take it for what it's worth at this point, just the rememberences of a senile old fart.
I think the 3C was the main gist, but also mentioned possibly having more upside either alluding to it or directly saying it. Can't remember which.