Pre-Game Talk: GM30 | Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado Avalanche | Mon. Dec 16th | 7:30pm PST | SNP | In The Forest

[Tact]

Still no idea if this team is good or not. Not letting losses turn into more losses is what separates good teams from the bad ones.

This is a big game we got here!

I remember you were so positive in the post season last year - even when things went bad.

What happened? lol

 

[Zippgunn]

I don't think this is for cap purposes. Seems Sasson has taken Raty's spot and they don't want him sitting in the press-box. Canucks are at 22/23 roster spots and Silovs, who they didn't say anything about, is still up under emergency recall conditions. Silovs doesn't count as a roster spot or against the cap.

So Silovs is still with the big team?

 

[Zippgunn]

Looks like Demko got the "Silovs" treatment from his teammates. Save % now around .830. Ouch!

 

[bandwagonesque]

Even if it's temporary, Sasson deserves a shot with how he's played.

I'm fine with it too. He isn't much of a puck carrier but he's fast and seems to play well off of skilled players. If you can hold the puck and make the first play he'll make the right second play.

 

[valkynax]

Looks like Demko got the "Silovs" treatment from his teammates. Save % now around .830. Ouch!

Given the circumstances, Demko did pretty OK - not great, but I definitely wouldn't be too harsh on him. The team in front simply aren't doing their goddamn job to protect and support him to the best of their ability.

And risk sounding like a broken record, I gotta say to Tocchet PLEASE, do something about our powerplay. Last year it looked bad, this year it's even more embarrassing. Fans don't want to have to pour bleach in their eyes every time the team gets a powerplay only resulting in 3-4 scoring chances for the opposition.

 

[Iron Mike Sharpe]

I mean, you can’t really blame Tocchet for the D he was dealt, and the Top 6 makes sense with how we’re going right now

Yes, you can. He wanted guys like Desharnais & Forbort.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

Not sure I like Sasson up on Pettersson's wing but you know what, kid's played like a beast lately. Why not give it a shot?

At this point though, Hoglander really is just fading away. I don't know if he'll have much in the way of value by the TDL.

 

[Vector]

So Silovs is still with the big team?

Lankinen is out and Silovs is still up.

 

[Zippgunn]

Lankinen is out and Silovs is still up.

Weird, he must have a nagging injury or something because, let's face it, he's our MVP so far and I was wondering about sitting your hot goalie immediately after he shuts out the Cup champs. For whatever reason it seems this team only plays well in front of him which is also weird.

 

[Zippgunn]

Given the circumstances, Demko did pretty OK - not great, but I definitely wouldn't be too harsh on him. The team in front simply aren't doing their goddamn job to protect and support him to the best of their ability.

I agree we shouldn't be too harsh on him like we have been with, say, Silovs. Both guys have had great moments but were brutally let down by the team in front of them. I said this well before Demko came back; it doesn't matter who is in net for us if the team is going to play this badly in front of them.

 

[Vector]

Today’s Practice

• Got the point across
• Play every other day so have to make sure guys have their energy

Line-Up Changes

• Looking for a spark
• Only won 40% of their battles in the last game
• Need to switch things around when you’re not winning battles

Colorado Avalanche

• Never scared of the schedule
• Has some great players but going through some struggles too

Starts of Games

• You get frustrated but need to keep working on the right things
• A couple of guys are straight-legged and then they ice the puck
• Not sure if it’s a focus problem or something else

Hughes

• He has the puck a lot; it’s a big part of his defence

Guys Not Engaged in the Last Game

• The 4 or 5 guys that Tocchet said weren’t engaged know you they are
• There could be a couple of other guys as well
• Have no problem talking to players
• Don’t have the depth to have 3,4, or 5 passengers
• Edmonton can have guys sleeping but also have players that can win the game for them; Canucks don’t have that

Leadership Group

• Need your leadership group to make guys accountable
• Will make players accountable with ice time
• Don’t want to be a coach that keeps yelling and screaming
• This is a partnership
• For this season, it’s taking longer for the players to recognize that they need to get themselves going

Coaching Relationships

• Different approaches
• Showing video, 1-on-1 talks, being stern sometimes, reducing ice time, etc.
• Hopefully have a collection of players that understand what they are trying to do
• Just made too many mistakes yesterday and isn’t sure if that’s not being ready to play

Sticking to the Game Plan

• Lots of difficulties this season so need to give guys a longer leash
• Need a collective group to overcome and stick to the team identity
• Can’t go rogue
• If you string a bunch of terrible games together, then it’s a red flag
• Show the players video and they respond in a good way, however

Lankinen

• Sick again
• Flu bug has gone through 3,4, or 5 guys
• Doesn’t know if he’s available; not sure if he’s eaten today

Sasson

• Making the most of an opportunity
• He’s moving his feet
• Has to play his game in the top-6
• When a player moves up in the line-up they sometimes find they have to do something different but he needs to stay within his identity
• Looking for him to move his feet, play good defensive hockey, and be good on the forecheck

 

[Baby Pettersson]

I remember you were so positive in the post season last year - even when things went bad.

What happened? lol

I will proudly say I've been one of the more positive posters here the last few years even when times were dark.

What I think is really bugging me is I know, you know, we all know this team has more potential in them. I truly believe this team has the ability to contend and has another gear in them. I think it's just frustrating watching this team knowing they have the ability to win but can't find their footing.

Let's call it tough love if you will. I'm still the same positive guy I've always been but I have expectations. Expectations I know this team can meet. I love them as passionately as I ever have. I think most of the fanbase does. But we also gotta realize something is wrong at the moment and I'm not going to pretend it's not.

But I believe they will come through this better then ever before. Adversity builds contenders. And boy are they ever getting a dose of adversity this season.

So let's continue to cheer em on like the proud fans we are and give them all the tough love they need. Because in the end I promise it'll all be worth it!

 

[Ernie]

Tocchet is repeating the same thing every game at this point. Does he have answers?

Line-Up Changes

• Looking for a spark
• Only won 40% of their battles in the last game
• Need to switch things around when you’re not winning battles

Expecting your players to out-battle the other team every night is not a formula for long term success.

Starts of Games

• Not sure if it’s a focus problem or something else

It's high time for him to figure that out.

Guys Not Engaged in the Last Game

• The 4 or 5 guys that Tocchet said weren’t engaged know you they are
• There could be a couple of other guys as well
• Have no problem talking to players
• Don’t have the depth to have 3,4, or 5 passengers
• Edmonton can have guys sleeping but also have players that can win the game for them; Canucks don’t have that

The bigger question is why these players have checked out.

Leadership Group

• Need your leadership group to make guys accountable
• Will make players accountable with ice time
• Don’t want to be a coach that keeps yelling and screaming
• This is a partnership
• For this season, it’s taking longer for the players to recognize that they need to get themselves going

Last time he tried to get the leadership to try to fix things it lead to the team's top two forwards getting into an altercation. Bieksa made it clear on HNIC that motivating players was never tasked to a teammate when he played. Unless they want to cause more problems in the room, this is management and the coaching staff's job to figure out. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of experience behind the Canuck's bench, Tocchet is on an island here and it's showing.

Coaching Relationships

• Different approaches
• Showing video, 1-on-1 talks, being stern sometimes, reducing ice time, etc.
• Hopefully have a collection of players that understand what they are trying to do
• Just made too many mistakes yesterday and isn’t sure if that’s not being ready to play

Not sure these things are working.

Sticking to the Game Plan

• Lots of difficulties this season so need to give guys a longer leash
• Need a collective group to overcome and stick to the team identity
• Can’t go rogue
• If you string a bunch of terrible games together, then it’s a red flag
• Show the players video and they respond in a good way, however

What is the team identity? First game of the season they coughed up a 3 goal lead and it's hard to argue that hasn't been their identity since.

Sasson

• Making the most of an opportunity
• He’s moving his feet
• Has to play his game in the top-6
• When a player moves up in the line-up they sometimes find they have to do something different but he needs to stay within his identity
• Looking for him to move his feet, play good defensive hockey, and be good on the forecheck

Sasson replacing Boeser in the top is a pretty good sign of who Tocchet thinks one of the passengers is. I guess we'll find out who the others are tomorrow when we see the ice time.

 

[Three On Zero]

Weird, he must have a nagging injury or something because, let's face it, he's our MVP so far and I was wondering about sitting your hot goalie immediately after he shuts out the Cup champs. For whatever reason it seems this team only plays well in front of him which is also weird.

Sick.

 

[Vector]

Sasson replacing Boeser in the top is a pretty good sign of who Tocchet thinks one of the passengers is. I guess we'll find out who the others are tomorrow when we see the ice time.

I’m confused what you mean by this. Sasson and Sherwood switched spots. As well as Garland & Hoglander.

 

[wonton15]

 

[valkynax]

Oh boy, this is giving me flashbacks of how our previous unit manager handled our short staff situations - if I happen to be the charge nurse for evening he will just say oh we're short this evening, ok bye.

 

[Ernie]

I’m confused what you mean by this. Sasson and Sherwood switched spots. As well as Garland & Hoglander.

Ah I misunderstood, thought that Sasson moved up to play with Miller, but it's Garland.