Didn’t he fall on his arse too? We saw that all of the time here as well.
GDT: [Emergency GDT, 3/16/25 1:30 MT] Avs vs Stars and the Battle for the Moose's Soul
- Thread starter MacKaRtin
- Start date
Perhaps puck clearing could be something the coaches focus on in practice. The same could be said for face-offs. Oops, sorry, our Head Coach sees no value in practice.
If for no reason other than giving Nelson a fighting chance at learning a system completely different than the Islanders, practice would help.
MacKinnon - 6'0", 200 lbs.
Nelson - 6'4", 205 lbs.
Coyle - 6'3", 215 lbs.
We are a heavy, thick team down the middle now. You can see how difficult Nelson and Coyle are to handle for opposition around their net and on the cycle. MacK is probably the most solid 200 pound player in the league.
This is going to help out big time in the playoffs.
Nelson - 6'4", 205 lbs.
Coyle - 6'3", 215 lbs.
We are a heavy, thick team down the middle now. You can see how difficult Nelson and Coyle are to handle for opposition around their net and on the cycle. MacK is probably the most solid 200 pound player in the league.
This is going to help out big time in the playoffs.
Cale Makar continues to be the ‘X’ factor other teams simply don’t have.
Also, liked the adjustment of moving Drouin back onto the power play. The numbers were only ok, but I thought they moved the puck well against a really good PK.
Also, liked the adjustment of moving Drouin back onto the power play. The numbers were only ok, but I thought they moved the puck well against a really good PK.
The boards aren't letting me quote anyone for some reason, but to follow up on a few topics:
Overall play
I've seen a few people pointing out miscues and disappointments here and there, without considering the massive amounts of turnover this team has seen. None of the forward lines and none of the defensive pairs outside of Toews and Makar have had much time together. That means none of them have had any real time to build chemistry, know where everyone is going to be on the ice, and learn to predict each other's behavior. This is Nelson and Lindgren's first time being traded. Just think about what it would do to your work performance if you were suddenly moved across the country to a different company with a new boss and new co-workers after being in the same place your whole career. Heck, even the goalies are still pretty new to the team, and we know how important it is to have synergy between the goalie and the team in front of them - goalies need to be able to read the play, and players need to know what to expect from the goalie. Honestly, the fact that the Avs are winning games and beating really good teams is really, really impressive. Just imagine how dominant they are going to be if they develop chemistry, let alone get to the point where everyone knows each others names.
The Stars in the playoffs
Yeah, Marchment and Benn and co are going to goon it up, but just wait till they get a load of playoff Lindgren, Colton, Kelly, Manson, EJ, Coyle, and maybe even Wood and Middleton. We have the roster now to goon it up with anyone if that's the game they want to try to play. That's the whole point of the moves the front office made. Every single one from Lindgren on was about making us a team that could no longer be pushed around. The one big advantage they have over us is they are much, much better - elite even - at whining and complaining about the refs. It's honestly unbelievable that the first thing Duchene does after the game is complain that the Avs got too many power plays (in a game with a missed cross-check to the face and endless other stick infractions by the Stars), which leads me to...
Duchene
I don't know how anyone can still defend the guy. He has clearly always been a "me first, team second" kind of guy. You can justify his behavior all you want, but to make it that obvious he was unhappy here was just immature and selfish. It's like once he demanded a trade he expected it to happen immediately, because he always expects to get what he wants. Then he goes to Ottawa, and is caught on camera badmouthing a coach along with other players, despite supposedly being a leader on that team. One of the guys in that car was a marginal defenseman, and it cost him his job. Then he signs a huge money deal to play in Nashville and never remotely lives up to it. Since his time here it was always clear he was more suited to be a winger, but he insisted on playing center, which was a factor in both O'Reilly and Stastny leaving. I think they both would have been more likely to stay if they could have been the 1-2 centers on the team. Him being on the Stars makes it that much more sweet when we beat them.
Rantanen and the contract negotiations
So correct me if I'm wrong, but the facts of the situation are that the Avs last offer was less than 12m, and Rantanen turned it down. Rantanen was then shocked by the trade. To me, this points clearly at his agent as the problem. Clearly the Avs offer was genuinely the final offer. They must have communicated this to Rantanen's agent, but he advised Mikko to wait it out because after the trade deadline they would have more leverage. That's a smart negotiating tactic, but he misjudged the situation. Of course the Avs could have gone back to the agent and said "sign this or we're trading you", but here's my guess: Once Mikko turned down their final offer, they started shopping him, and once they saw the Carolina offer, they decided they would rather have Necas, Drury and a pick than Mikko even at their last offer. I mean, the results so far seem to support that Necas and Drury, and Lindgren is a better use of that cap space than just having Mikko. Oh, and there's no evidence I know of that says the Avs were ever willing to pay Mikko the 12m he got in Dallas, and good for them for sticking to their guns. Honestly, I think he's worth about 9m, and as a free agent should get 10 or so. But his numbers are inflated from playing with MacKinnon, so now Dallas has an overpaid, somewhat lazy winger signed well into his 30's. As a fan of a rival team, this makes me quite happy.
Also, it's worth noting: think about the effect this will have on future contract negotiations. Players on the Avs are going to think twice about playing hard ball with the front office.
Overall play
I've seen a few people pointing out miscues and disappointments here and there, without considering the massive amounts of turnover this team has seen. None of the forward lines and none of the defensive pairs outside of Toews and Makar have had much time together. That means none of them have had any real time to build chemistry, know where everyone is going to be on the ice, and learn to predict each other's behavior. This is Nelson and Lindgren's first time being traded. Just think about what it would do to your work performance if you were suddenly moved across the country to a different company with a new boss and new co-workers after being in the same place your whole career. Heck, even the goalies are still pretty new to the team, and we know how important it is to have synergy between the goalie and the team in front of them - goalies need to be able to read the play, and players need to know what to expect from the goalie. Honestly, the fact that the Avs are winning games and beating really good teams is really, really impressive. Just imagine how dominant they are going to be if they develop chemistry, let alone get to the point where everyone knows each others names.
The Stars in the playoffs
Yeah, Marchment and Benn and co are going to goon it up, but just wait till they get a load of playoff Lindgren, Colton, Kelly, Manson, EJ, Coyle, and maybe even Wood and Middleton. We have the roster now to goon it up with anyone if that's the game they want to try to play. That's the whole point of the moves the front office made. Every single one from Lindgren on was about making us a team that could no longer be pushed around. The one big advantage they have over us is they are much, much better - elite even - at whining and complaining about the refs. It's honestly unbelievable that the first thing Duchene does after the game is complain that the Avs got too many power plays (in a game with a missed cross-check to the face and endless other stick infractions by the Stars), which leads me to...
Duchene
I don't know how anyone can still defend the guy. He has clearly always been a "me first, team second" kind of guy. You can justify his behavior all you want, but to make it that obvious he was unhappy here was just immature and selfish. It's like once he demanded a trade he expected it to happen immediately, because he always expects to get what he wants. Then he goes to Ottawa, and is caught on camera badmouthing a coach along with other players, despite supposedly being a leader on that team. One of the guys in that car was a marginal defenseman, and it cost him his job. Then he signs a huge money deal to play in Nashville and never remotely lives up to it. Since his time here it was always clear he was more suited to be a winger, but he insisted on playing center, which was a factor in both O'Reilly and Stastny leaving. I think they both would have been more likely to stay if they could have been the 1-2 centers on the team. Him being on the Stars makes it that much more sweet when we beat them.
Rantanen and the contract negotiations
So correct me if I'm wrong, but the facts of the situation are that the Avs last offer was less than 12m, and Rantanen turned it down. Rantanen was then shocked by the trade. To me, this points clearly at his agent as the problem. Clearly the Avs offer was genuinely the final offer. They must have communicated this to Rantanen's agent, but he advised Mikko to wait it out because after the trade deadline they would have more leverage. That's a smart negotiating tactic, but he misjudged the situation. Of course the Avs could have gone back to the agent and said "sign this or we're trading you", but here's my guess: Once Mikko turned down their final offer, they started shopping him, and once they saw the Carolina offer, they decided they would rather have Necas, Drury and a pick than Mikko even at their last offer. I mean, the results so far seem to support that Necas and Drury, and Lindgren is a better use of that cap space than just having Mikko. Oh, and there's no evidence I know of that says the Avs were ever willing to pay Mikko the 12m he got in Dallas, and good for them for sticking to their guns. Honestly, I think he's worth about 9m, and as a free agent should get 10 or so. But his numbers are inflated from playing with MacKinnon, so now Dallas has an overpaid, somewhat lazy winger signed well into his 30's. As a fan of a rival team, this makes me quite happy.
Also, it's worth noting: think about the effect this will have on future contract negotiations. Players on the Avs are going to think twice about playing hard ball with the front office.
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I thought so as well, until I saw the photo of Mack and Joker side by side. (And Mack with street shoes on!)
Pokecheque
Whack it Hard to Girard
Who was that giant dope on the Stars blueline who ended up screening Otter on one of the goals against? I'd never heard of him before.
That's who he is. He tends to make everything look spectacular/difficult. It's hard to have a ton of confidence in him because of his style but he makes the saves so it's hard to be mad at him.
I'm more than happy to have him as a backup goalie but I wouldn't want Blackwood to be hurt for a long period of time.
It's not harsh, he's the best backup we had in God knows when. I like him better than Francouz.
GMing a hockey team is a lot more like Game of Thrones than some may realize.
If he can stay healthier then sure.
Francouz was really f***ing good, when he was able to play. Like legit starter level good.
I loved Frankie. The guy was a monster in shootouts.
I would be 100% fine extending Wedgie for 2 more years as he is most definitely one of the better back-ups in the league. (Plus one San Jose 'starter' as well.) I am unsure Nabakov is going to be ready in 1.5 seasons (if ever) and I like everything I see about Wedgie as backup. I'd also like to have a backup who plays closer to 30 games than 20 and I think Wedgie can handle that, and I get the feeling Blackie is not the egomaniacal goaltender who has to start 75% to 80%, though he did have a long run when Wedgie got injured.
While the salary cap discussion rightfully centered on Mikko, then Necas, CMac really needs to find money to pay a number of unheralded UFA next year. Drouin is underpaid. Kivi is underpaid. It looks like Lindgren might be underpaid ( though in a way better tax destination than NYC.) CMac needs to keep them if humanly possible. Then in 26-27, there are Wedgie, Parker and Drury - all of which I consider 'keepers.' By then, I hope that Behrens can make the big team, and reduce the salary slot which Manson now occupies.
Folks, we are a long way from being out of salary cap hell. Cmac may have extended the SC window by 2 years with Necas, Drury and the Goalwoods ( and maybe even Nelson if he takes a deal south of that $5.25M.) But his work is far from done.
I love Patrick Roy. Possibly not the most technical minded coach out there, but jeez, the guy sweats compete and fight.
