GDT: G33: Colorado Avalanche(18-14-0) @ canuckleheads(15-9-5) - Mon Dec 16 @ 8:30 PM MST

[henchman21]

For sure the PP1 is the #1 problem right now. Goalie position is solved.
This game was lost on PP1. Literally.

Tweak that, but don't fold the f***ing franchise over a small coughing stretch HFAvs lol.

A very good PP is 25%... that would have gotten 1 goal last night.

IMO where the team is really struggling right now is 5v5. The Avs have been over 50% xGF 5v5 just twice in the last 9 games. The two times it happened, Buffalo and Detroit. The last time the Avs won that area against a good team was Dallas 10 games ago... a game where Dallas got up early and then played the prevent.

The best teams tends to win a lot more games 5v5 than any other method. Until the Avs can do that again, they'll struggle winning games consistently.

He is reaching Greg Zanon level of rubbish for me.

Arguably he's worse. He just doesn't do anything well anymore. He could never really provide offense, so that not being there isn't unexpected. But he doesn't hit, he doesn't win battles, he doesn't defend... he's just kinda there and drawing everyone else out of position.

 

[RECKLESS]

A very good PP is 25%... that would have gotten 1 goal last night.

And very possibly no goals against.

 

[henchman21]

And very possibly no goals against.

Even the best PPs give up a shorty from time to time and Sherwood's first goal wasn't a shorty. It was just pure abuse of the depth.

A good PP can win a game from time to time, but it won't ever be consistent. Teams that win consistently (and when it matters) are good 5v5. Until the Avs start winning games in that manner again, they'll be inconsistent.

 

[Pokecheque]

MacK would probably have a Roy-like video room meltdown, but I'd put him on the bumper for 5-10 games and have Makar run the entry. Force MacK to live in the dirty area, fight for pucks, and quicken his trigger. Shake up his mind and give him different angles.

I just don't understand the coaching staff's incredibly conservative approach to trying to fix the power play. This isn't the first time they've hit an extended slump, and more action was taken before, even something as simple as telling 29 and 96 to switch spots. Instead about the only thing that's changed is putting Colton back in front of the net, which has led to MacKinnon doing his single most annoying thing on the power play--force passes to the slot that aren't there.

It's not helping that the 2nd unit has never been worse. There was a time at least when that unit could pick up the scoring for a time.

 

[henchman21]

I just don't understand the coaching staff's incredibly conservative approach to trying to fix the power play. This isn't the first time they've hit an extended slump, and more action was taken before, even something as simple as telling 29 and 96 to switch spots. Instead about the only thing that's changed is putting Colton back in front of the net, which has led to MacKinnon doing his single most annoying thing on the power play--force passes to the slot that aren't there.

It's not helping that the 2nd unit has never been worse. There was a time at least when that unit could pick up the scoring for a time.

I honestly think it is pretty simple... they have arguably 3 of the top 10 players in the world on the unit. All playing their preferred spots, at somepoint, they'll get hot and it'll click again. Nearly impossible not to with the talent between those 3.

 

[Mr Zappalanche]

MacK would probably have a Roy-like video room meltdown, but I'd put him on the bumper for 5-10 games and have Makar run the entry. Force MacK to live in the dirty area, fight for pucks, and quicken his trigger. Shake up his mind and give him different angles.

I totally agree. He has become such a prima donna, waiting for his teammates to battle for the puck and pass it to him. He is also extremely irresponsible with the puck, making low-percentage passes after his linemates have been busting their asses to maintain possession.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

It doesn't help the PP that Mitts can no longer make a pass and win a board battle. He went from making most of his passes and winning most of his battles to pretty well zero.

And don't get me started on Mack and his disgusting back hand passes. In fact most of the team can't make a backhand pass.

And then you have Mikko who doesn't move at all until he has two guys on him and falls down because one of them gave him a little bump.

So frustrating.

 

[Bender]

I just don't understand the coaching staff's incredibly conservative approach to trying to fix the power play. This isn't the first time they've hit an extended slump, and more action was taken before, even something as simple as telling 29 and 96 to switch spots. Instead about the only thing that's changed is putting Colton back in front of the net, which has led to MacKinnon doing his single most annoying thing on the power play--force passes to the slot that aren't there.

It's not helping that the 2nd unit has never been worse. There was a time at least when that unit could pick up the scoring for a time.

The 2nd unit gets - at most - 30 seconds of PP time and that's after a clear by the opposition.

So they gotta retrieve it, make a zone entry and try and get a shot on net within that time - It's a wonder they ever score ANY PP goals at all.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

When the PP is struggling as mightily as it has been. As fans, we look at it and think the players must be going, "Hey coach...we're getting destroyed trying to enter the zone, what can we do?". And Bednar, looks each of them in the eye and says, "Men...I feel each and every one of your frustrations. But it's times like this that you simply need to try harder."

I can't believe that is what is actually going on though. But it sure doesn't look like adjustments are made. It doesn't look like Bednar says, you know what? Zero for 3 is good enough for tonight, I'm going to start the 4th PP with the second unit. I mean...he simply can't be as obtuse as he looks from the outside can he?

 

[henchman21]

When the PP is struggling as mightily as it has been. As fans, we look at it and think the players must be going, "Hey coach...we're getting destroyed trying to enter the zone, what can we do?". And Bednar, looks each of them in the eye and says, "Men...I feel each and every one of your frustration. But it's times like this that you simply need to try harder."

I can't believe that is what is actually going on though. But it sure doesn't look like adjustments are made. It doesn't look like Bednar says, you know what? Zero for 3 is good enough for tonight, I'm going to start the 4th PP with the second unit. I mean...he simply can't be as obtuse as he looks from the outside can he?

This is nonsense… he also says skate faster.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

Literally this just reads as one big excuse.

Their coach had a good plan, why didn't our coach have a good plan?

The ice was bad so we couldn't play a speed game. Bad ice happens, you have to adjust, something we are incapable of doing.

The fact is this is an extremely lazy team, that is poorly coached and gets by on the nights that everything goes perfect for our superstars. If it doesn't go perfectly for 29, 96 and 8 we look like a JV high school team.

I don't make excuses for this team. I call them out...... hopefully objectively and w/o an agenda.

And I give their opponent credit when credit is due. Credit was due last night. Vancouver was ready and motivated playing physically and the Avs were not prepared for that. What the Avs like to do was neutered by some good coaching, great positioning and coverage as well as some great effort and intensity by the entire Canuck roster.

Bednar has always had the philosophy of "we will play our game and let them try and match us."

Bit him in the ass last night.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I’d let Makar/MacK/Mikko play the full 2 minutes of the PP.

Use Nuke/Lehky/Mitts/Rosco with 2 on the first unit and 2 on the second unit, but try to give them an even split of ice time.

I feel like the last 20-30 seconds are useless as we change units, try to retrieve and enter the zone, setup with 5 left handed shots(so weird), etc.

Just keep Toews/Girard/Ivan off the PP and use the big 3 + the other top 6 forwards.

 

[cinchronicity]

I don't make excuses for this team. I call them out...... hopefully objectively and w/o an agenda.

And I give their opponent credit when credit is due. Credit was due last night. Vancouver was ready and motivated playing physically and the Avs were not prepared for that. What the Avs like to do was neutered by some good coaching, great positioning and coverage as well as some great effort and intensity by the entire Canuck roster.

Bednar has always had the philosophy of "we will play our game and let them try and match us."

Herein lies my entire issue with Bednar. It is no longer a secret in the NHL that Bednar's system breaks down with a ton of pressure. This is not talking about this week, this month, or even this season. Since Bednar brought this system to the NHL from the minors ( where I suspect it always worked due to the differential in talent) this is a well-known fact. Similarly, it is a well-known fact that the Avs PP features 4 guys more or less standing around plus Makar walking the blue line. Similarly, it is well known that the Avs PK largely without clearing a man out of the crease. At this point, all but about 8 teams are capable of exploiting these overt shortcomings. But Bednar is stubborn, and egomaniac or both, and feel that the only adjustments need be skating faster and playing harder ( though not too hard because he does not want players to hit much.)

I'm not saying Bednar is a bad person. I'm not saying that he would not click with a younger team with no cup aspirations. But I would like to know how long the Bednar apologists would like to wait. Are we going to be here 5 years from now lamenting the fact that a team with such elite talent could only come up with a single Finals appearance?

 

[Alienblood]

Herein lies my entire issue with Bednar. It is no longer a secret in the NHL that Bednar's system breaks down with a ton of pressure. This is not talking about this week, this month, or even this season. Since Bednar brought this system to the NHL from the minors ( where I suspect it always worked due to the differential in talent) this is a well-known fact. Similarly, it is a well-known fact that the Avs PP features 4 guys more or less standing around plus Makar walking the blue line. Similarly, it is well known that the Avs PK largely without clearing a man out of the crease. At this point, all but about 8 teams are capable of exploiting these overt shortcomings. But Bednar is stubborn, and egomaniac or both, and feel that the only adjustments need be skating faster and playing harder ( though not too hard because he does not want players to hit much.)

I'm not saying Bednar is a bad person. I'm not saying that he would not click with a younger team with no cup aspirations. But I would like to know how long the Bednar apologists would like to wait. Are we going to be here 5 years from now lamenting the fact that a team with such elite talent could only come up with a single Finals appearance?

And never get past the 2nd round

 

[Metallo]

On a scale from 9 to 10 over 10, how annoyed are you by this team?

 

[henchman21]

Honestly not you scale… but 4, not that annoyed. Kinda expected. It would be 15-20 higher if George was still on the team.

 

[Tralfamadore]

Herein lies my entire issue with Bednar. It is no longer a secret in the NHL that Bednar's system breaks down with a ton of pressure. This is not talking about this week, this month, or even this season. Since Bednar brought this system to the NHL from the minors ( where I suspect it always worked due to the differential in talent) this is a well-known fact. Similarly, it is a well-known fact that the Avs PP features 4 guys more or less standing around plus Makar walking the blue line. Similarly, it is well known that the Avs PK largely without clearing a man out of the crease. At this point, all but about 8 teams are capable of exploiting these overt shortcomings. But Bednar is stubborn, and egomaniac or both, and feel that the only adjustments need be skating faster and playing harder ( though not too hard because he does not want players to hit much.)

I'm not saying Bednar is a bad person. I'm not saying that he would not click with a younger team with no cup aspirations. But I would like to know how long the Bednar apologists would like to wait. Are we going to be here 5 years from now lamenting the fact that a team with such elite talent could only come up with a single Finals appearance?

Bednar's tenure is certainly not a failure because of the cup win but I'd say it's definitely a disappointment. For this core of players to have only gotten out of the 2nd round a single time is unacceptable. It's not all on Bednar either though.

At least we're not the Rangers who have absolutely failed.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I’d let Makar/MacK/Mikko play the full 2 minutes of the PP.

Use Nuke/Lehky/Mitts/Rosco with 2 on the first unit and 2 on the second unit, but try to give them an even split of ice time.

I feel like the last 20-30 seconds are useless as we change units, try to retrieve and enter the zone, setup with 5 left handed shots(so weird), etc.

Just keep Toews/Girard/Ivan off the PP and use the big 3 + the other top 6 forwards.

Those last 20-30 seconds are useless because the first 90-100 seconds sucked ass. Replacing a single chair or two isn't going to make a difference. The guys need to be able to attack more than one way from the start. That's the issue.

 

[dahrougem2]

Bednar won't get fired - this org doesn't like to fire coaches.

As much as I like the guy and what he brought to this team, it also pains me to see he's not only refusing to adapt but his idea of fixing things is to run 29/96/8/7/62/13 into the ground on a nightly basis then wonder why they have nothing left in the tank come playoff time.

 

[dahrougem2]

Also, I saw it mentioned by someone about how Joel Quenneville used to run the Blackhawks top players like Keith, Seabrook, Kane, and Toews into the ground. Not sure if it was this thread or a different thread BUT:

- Never during Chicago's run from 2010-2015 in the regular season did Jonathan Toews average more than 20:50 per game.

- Patrick Kane's highest recorded season in that timeframe was 20:12

- Yes, Duncan Keith used to play anywhere from 24-27 minutes per night but he was built to do that. He was an effortless, Scott Niedermayer style of player who was capable of logging those minutes in his sleep. Those kinds of players are insanely rare. Cale Makar is not that style of player. He's at his best when he's able to play ~22-23 minutes and be explosive for damn near every shift.

I'm not advocating for Q to return, but there's no comparison between the two: Bednar destroys his top guys and Quenneville did not.