GDT: Game 35: Sharks vs. Avalanche 7:30pm NBCSCA

[Alaskanice]

I know you want to be positive, but Georgiev has a history of antagonizing his teammates and being a bit of a locker room cancer. Sometimes a guy's just not that likeable.

Grier will certainly try to rehab his value and move him for peanuts at the TDL, I have no question on that, and then we don't have to worry about him any more. If he's played so badly that he can't move, well, we won't be re-signing him.

Of course you are smart enough to know that none of us know what that “antagonistic” stuff was about. Some find it so easy to rip a guy. Welcome to the internet.

 

[coooldude]

Of course you are smart enough to know that none of us know what that “antagonistic” stuff was about. Some find it so easy to rip a guy. Welcome to the internet.

welcome to the internet -- where it is very easy to document what happened, verified by trusted third parties and video.
1. Georgiev gets in a physical altercation with DeAngelo
2. Georgiev taps and yells at his own teammate for a screen. Later apologized, admitting it was not right and a mistake.
3. Georgiev says something to Rantanen and Rantanen explodes and cusses him out, on ice, during a game. Rantanen, Cup-winning Alternate Captain, saying "Shut the f*** up, you shut the f*** up, I'll f***ing kill you," in the middle of a game, is not a ringing endorsement of Georgiev's general attitude and whatever he said to Rantanen just before this.

There is one ingredient in all these interactions. DeAngelo is an asshole, but Rantanen is not known to be one, and the dumb petulant slash speaks for itself.

You can put your head in the sand because the guy's putting on a Sharks sweater for the next 5 months, be my guest, but I don't think it's necessary, and I'd save up your positivity for players that deserve it and matter to our future.

 

[TheBeard]

You can put your head in the sand because the guy's putting on a Sharks sweater for the next 5 months, be my guest, but I don't think it's necessary, and I'd save up your positivity for players that deserve it and matter to our future.

Some won't say it but I do think there are many here (not naming names) who hope for Georgiev's negativity and poor play because it'll help with the tank.

 

[coooldude]

Some won't say it but I do think there are many here (not naming names) who hope for Georgiev's negativity and poor play because it'll help with the tank.

You don't have to name names, people are very open about it! I worry for the impact on the locker room for sure, but I also have faith that the players can tolerate one asshole for 4.5 more months... plus, Askarov is the opposite and he's the future.

 

[Alaskanice]

welcome to the internet -- where it is very easy to document what happened, verified by trusted third parties and video.
1. Georgiev gets in a physical altercation with DeAngelo
2. Georgiev taps and yells at his own teammate for a screen. Later apologized, admitting it was not right and a mistake.
3. Georgiev says something to Rantanen and Rantanen explodes and cusses him out, on ice, during a game. Rantanen, Cup-winning Alternate Captain, saying "Shut the f*** up, you shut the f*** up, I'll f***ing kill you," in the middle of a game, is not a ringing endorsement of Georgiev's general attitude and whatever he said to Rantanen just before this.

There is one ingredient in all these interactions. DeAngelo is an asshole, but Rantanen is not known to be one, and the dumb petulant slash speaks for itself.

You can put your head in the sand because the guy's putting on a Sharks sweater for the next 5 months, be my guest, but I don't think it's necessary, and I'd save up your positivity for players that deserve it and matter to our future.

To your quote, I don’t think it’s a ringing endorsement to anyone who screams, “I’ll f’in kill you!!” During a professional game.
I guess I’ll bury my head in sand.

 

[TheBeard]

You don't have to name names, people are very open about it! I worry for the impact on the locker room for sure, but I also have faith that the players can tolerate one asshole for 4.5 more months... plus, Askarov is the opposite and he's the future.

I think the players can, but undoubtedly there will be dissension in the lockerroom if he's still a part of the club and playing regularly well after the TDL.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

For those of us that didn’t see the post game interview with Georgiev, can someone please, without commentary, tell us what he said?

Cliff notes he blamed everyone but himself for the goals against

 

[Alaskanice]

Cliff notes he blamed everyone but himself for the goals against

Huh

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

To your quote, I don’t think it’s a ringing endorsement to anyone who screams, “I’ll f’in kill you!!” During a professional game.
I guess I’ll bury my head in sand.

I’m guessing this is how serious Walman when he was screaming let’s not take it out of context

Huh

Garbagiev blamed the entire team for the goals against none of them were his fault

 

[Alaskanice]

View attachment 948755
I’m guessing this is how serious Walman when he was screaming let’s not take it out of context

If you ask me, he shouldn’t do that either.

View attachment 948755
I’m guessing this is how serious Walman when he was screaming let’s not take it out of context


Garbagiev blamed the entire team for the goals against none of them were his fault

I didn’t see that. He didn’t accept blame. That’s not the same thing.

 

[Star Platinum]

What he said isn't actually up there. He basically said the defense has to play smarter.

Also, looks like Will Smith has been demoted to the 4th line, probably as a result of the turnover that lead to the tying goal. I'm not sure he would have been as punished so severely if Georgiev was able to make the save so there are consequences beyond the score sheet to Georgiev's poor play. But then again, who knows with War's constant meddling.

Many of our odd-man rushes against have started with a bad Smith backcheck, a bad Smith turnover, or both.

 

[Alaskanice]

Many of our odd-man rushes against have started with a bad Smith backcheck, a bad Smith turnover, or both.

Is this factual?

 

[Star Platinum]

No, but it magnifies the magnitude of the error, but for the most part I agree.

I honestly haven't been as overly impressed by Smith as some here. I think he makes as many egregiously good plays as bad one in a game, but for the most part is just there. I'm not forming an opinion one way or another though because he's 19, still in his first season and being bounced around, but the talent level between him and Celebrini is obviously noticeable.

He's less invisible than he was at the beginning of the year, but he definitely doesn't drive play at all. But he's also a victim of Warsofsky constantly changing line combinations and the Sharks not having enough forward talent to play with him. I've already complained enough about the fact that the Sharks are clearly prioritizing winning over developing Smith. It is what it is.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

If you ask me, he shouldn’t do that either.

As someone who’s been injured pretty bad by other players taking cheap shots im of the mindset if you can’t pay the bill don’t write the check. Hockey is already a physical game no need to add the extras

 

[Alaskanice]

As someone who’s been injured pretty bad by other players taking cheap shots im of the mindset if you can’t pay the bill don’t write the check. Hockey is already a physical game no need to add the extras

I’ve been there too. But I did lace up the skates. Nobody forced me to play.

He's less invisible than he was at the beginning of the year, but he definitely doesn't drive play at all. But he's also a victim of Warsofsky constantly changing line combinations and the Sharks not having enough forward talent to play with him. I've already complained enough about the fact that the Sharks are clearly prioritizing winning over developing Smith. It is what it is.

You didn’t answer the question. I guess you’re bound to be a politician.

 

[Star Platinum]

You didn’t answer the question. I guess you’re bound to be a politician.

First of all, you asked the question only a few minutes ago. I'm not your trained monkey.

Second of all, generally speaking I'm trying to be a better netizen on this board than on some others I've been on in the past. I think this is a nice community on the whole. But if there's one thing on a sports forum that really gives me the red ass, it's homer fans who spend all their time chiding other people for not being positive enough. I'd much rather read the Hodge twins be overly critical of our players and think about whether those criticisms have any merit than read someone who just is constantly fluffing everyone.

When I don't respond to you, don't interpret it as me being afraid of your question. I just don't give a flying f*** about anything you have to say. ChatGPT could perform your function on this board.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

First of all, you asked the question only a few minutes ago. I'm not your trained monkey.

Second of all, generally speaking I'm trying to be a better netizen on this board than on some others I've been on in the past. I think this is a nice community on the whole. But if there's one thing on a sports forum that really gives me the red ass, it's homer fans who spend all their time chiding other people for not being positive enough. I'd much rather read the Hodge twins be overly critical of our players and think about whether those criticisms have any merit than read someone who just is constantly fluffing everyone.

When I don't respond to you, don't interpret it as me being afraid of your question. I just don't give a flying f*** about anything you have to say. ChatGPT could perform your function on this board.

Not trained but evil!

 

[Alaskanice]

First of all, you asked the question only a few minutes ago. I'm not your trained monkey.

Second of all, generally speaking I'm trying to be a better netizen on this board than on some others I've been on in the past. I think this is a nice community on the whole. But if there's one thing on a sports forum that really gives me the red ass, it's homer fans who spend all their time chiding other people for not being positive enough. I'd much rather read the Hodge twins be overly critical of our players and think about whether those criticisms have any merit than read someone who just is constantly fluffing everyone.

When I don't respond to you, don't interpret it as me being afraid of your question. I just don't give a flying f*** about anything you have to say. ChatGPT could perform your function on this board.

My trained monkey? Whoa.
I asked you for you were being factual about Will Smith being responsible for many of the breakaways.
You didn’t answer that. If it’s your opinion, say so. That’s all.

 

[TheBeard]

First of all, you asked the question only a few minutes ago. I'm not your trained monkey.

Second of all, generally speaking I'm trying to be a better netizen on this board than on some others I've been on in the past. I think this is a nice community on the whole. But if there's one thing on a sports forum that really gives me the red ass, it's homer fans who spend all their time chiding other people for not being positive enough. I'd much rather read the Hodge twins be overly critical of our players and think about whether those criticisms have any merit than read someone who just is constantly fluffing everyone.

When I don't respond to you, don't interpret it as me being afraid of your question. I just don't give a flying f*** about anything you have to say. ChatGPT could perform your function on this board.

Hodge...twins?

THERE'S TWO OF THEM!?!?!?!

 

[TheBeard]

He's less invisible than he was at the beginning of the year, but he definitely doesn't drive play at all. But he's also a victim of Warsofsky constantly changing line combinations and the Sharks not having enough forward talent to play with him. I've already complained enough about the fact that the Sharks are clearly prioritizing winning over developing Smith. It is what it is.

I don't think it's a case of prioritizing anything over anything. I think War (and Grier) are trying to just let Will be comfortable playing at the NHL level without pressure. They just haven't figured it out, but as much fun as the occasional Smith/Celebrini play on the first line has been, for the most part I don't know if putting Will in that position on a team already struggling to find offense is helpful for him. At least not at this time. I, in no way want to make it seem like I'm writing him off as he's only 19. Just let him spend the year learning the nuances, slowing the game down and deciphering good habits from bad. Let him make mistakes, get punished for them, learn from them and start the cycle over.

I wonder if seeing the way Celebrini has adjusted and thrived has put added pressure by Smith on himself to have the same (or close) to the same level of success?

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

I don't think it's a case of prioritizing anything over anything. I think War (and Grier) are trying to just let Will be comfortable playing at the NHL level without pressure. They just haven't figured it out, but as much fun as the occasional Smith/Celebrini play on the first line has been, for the most part I don't know if putting Will in that position on a team already struggling to find offense is helpful for him. At least not at this time. I, in no way want to make it seem like I'm writing him off as he's only 19. Just let him spend the year learning the nuances, slowing the game down and deciphering good habits from bad. Let him make mistakes, get punished for them, learn from them and start the cycle over.

I wonder if seeing the way Celebrini has adjusted and thrived has put added pressure by Smith on himself to have the same (or close) to the same level of success?

I mean Smith started the game real strong and started to regress as it went along I’m thinking he’s due for some development days

 

[TheBeard]

I mean Smith started the game real strong and started to regress as it went along I’m thinking he’s due for some development days

I imagine playing against a fast team like Colorado makes it much harder for a kid to slow the game down.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

When it comes to Georgiev, you can believe everything about him as a teammate as you wish but if it is worst case scenario as a teammate, the kids do need to learn how to professionally manage that. There will be ugly sides of building a hockey team that have to be tolerated on occasion. If you believe in Grier, you have to believe that the juice was worth the squeeze and to keep in mind what we got to take him on and how that may matter moving forward. Kovalenko looks like a solid depth option that can grow with the team. That pick can mean the difference in getting and not getting the guy we need to take the next step.

 

[gaucholoco3]

Smith needs to be on a line with a skilled C (Granlund or Wenberg) and an F1 who ideally has some skill (Zetterlundor Kovalenko).

Smith has looked great with Eklund but that line still needs more puck retrieval as Eklund is forced to be the F1 on that line which he can do but is not optimal for him.

I would have Smith take Eklund’s spot on the “Lund” line and move Eklund to Toffoli’s spot with Celebrini. Then Wenberg and Toffoli can play with whichever 4th liner they want to reward.

 

[sampler]

I don't think it's a case of prioritizing anything over anything. I think War (and Grier) are trying to just let Will be comfortable playing at the NHL level without pressure. They just haven't figured it out, but as much fun as the occasional Smith/Celebrini play on the first line has been, for the most part I don't know if putting Will in that position on a team already struggling to find offense is helpful for him. At least not at this time. I, in no way want to make it seem like I'm writing him off as he's only 19. Just let him spend the year learning the nuances, slowing the game down and deciphering good habits from bad. Let him make mistakes, get punished for them, learn from them and start the cycle over.

I wonder if seeing the way Celebrini has adjusted and thrived has put added pressure by Smith on himself to have the same (or close) to the same level of success?

Smith had definitely improved nicely since start of the season. Everyone knows I advocated for starting him on line one in the ahl. The brain trust decided the NHL is the right place for his development. Watching his improvement, I think I might be wrong and they might be right. Shocking that the coach, GM, and player might know more than some fan

To me, he’s still not nhl ready. Lots of turnovers, forced plays, and the like. BUT, he’s not getting physically dominated like before, and his head is up and he’s playing with confidence even if he’s making a lot of mistakes. He’s not helping the team win right now, but he’s also clearly getting better. So, I have changed my point of view to say that he is on the right track and it’s best to watch the defensive improvement even if the overall play remains subpar. Next year and beyond, I expect him to contribute more to actual wins…

I can’t believe I’ve evolved into a smith apologist…. Man, being open minded sucks.