Is this the whole presser? Did no one ask him about how Garland is being treated? How about asking what he or the team is going to do about it?
What a negative presser.
I understand what Tocchet is saying there and forensically it is correct: a couple of ill judged moments by the players cost 2 goals.
But this presser confirms that we have completely reverted to previous season's mindset of "we cannot allow the opposing team to score one or two goals" implying we won't be scoring enough to win games.
This was not the mindset we started the year with and the players looked quite liberated. Mistakes existed but guys felt they could impact the opponent and score. And they did.
They fought for one another, Garland and co. were defended/protected (think the Gibson incident).
But here we have reverted to the mindset of the last 3 years ie. playing for not conceding goals, trying not to lose games rather than playing to score goals and trying to win games.
I can imagine that to impose this mindset to the players days in days out, probably makes them play constantly worrying about making mistakes; therefore they make ridiculous mistakes. It gets them deflated and there is an automatic drop in the desire to battle for one another which we have seen against LA and LA has exploited this to their advantage.
I am also not a big fan of the "I don't worry about the four games, I worry about the first period against Anaheim". I mean........ why even"worry"?
If you are worried Rick, so will the players.
We do not have a superstar who can just lead the way with full confidence/ego irrelevant of what happens, what is said, someone capable of taking the rest of the team with him during a game.
What we have is some seriously talented players, some decent veterans who needs to be on the ice with a clear positive mind. We have witnessed many times how overthinking can affect the way they are playing (think OEL, Schmaltz, Keller...)
Perhaps there are good reasons for Tocchet to be frustrated, sure. But he is turning this frustration into negativity and this won't lead to anything good.
His time with the Coyotes is ending, we all know it, so does he. I wish we would move on now but understand we probably won't for financial and PR reasons.
So Rick, just have fun. Don't worry too much. Be positive.
Ps. Thinking about Hayton for example, whilst I believe he has been good enough to play in this team, and learn the NHL game, boy do I hope that he stays away from that mindset.