Official 2024-25 Utah HC Season Discussion.

[Jakey53]

I also think high expectations are set as well. Crouse had a good year, maybe he way over achieved. When a player has some success, it seems like there is a new bar set. I don't think its lack of hustle or somebody not being engaged, for the most part, its just a tough game and guys are only so good. I also think when guys you expect to get points don't (Crouse/Hayton last year) or you expect to get goals don't (Schmaltz), then the player isn't working hard or seems not engaged. Many here fail to realize that goals and points are only one part of the game, screens (Hayton) lead to many goals last year, Crouse/Schmaltz PK, etc, all 3 have been very solid on D and our bext defensive forwards.

Once Crouse gets a few more points and Schmaltz a few goals, we won't be talking about them, I like both palyers.

Stop with excuses. There is only one way to gage a team and that is pts. which comes from wins. Winning is all that matters. I like Schmaltz and Crouse as well, but they are both underperforming.

 

[Jakey53]

I'd trade Crouse for Pinto and hope Pinto develops chemistry with linemates

Plus, we need Center depth and Pinto I think is the right gamble

I'd trade Hayton too, but you'd have to get back a Center or hope Doan can fill the spot

I just noticed Couse is already 27 yo. I thought he was only around 24. Still, Utah needs size.

I don't think Crouse or Schmaltz will be a part of the core in a season or two with But and Iginla (Doan too) knocking at the door. But I'd rather they don't sell low. Now is probably not the time to trade either of them for several reasons.

What are your "several" reasons?

 

[cobra427]

Stop with excuses. There is only one way to gage a team and that is pts. which comes from wins. Winning is all that matters. I like Schmaltz and Crouse as well, but they are both underperforming.

What excuses? Its 20 games into the season, pretty small sample size, both players have proven they can get goals in past seasons, at 40 games I bet they both have more goals, in the mean time they are helping us in other ways.

I agree with you that the team points is the stat that matters, 20 games into the season I see the same thing we saw the last few years, great goal tending wins for us, team D never wins a game for us. Thats either coaching or roster construction or both.

Our team D play is more of the same from last few years, not sure why it will all of a sudden bounce and get better now. Schmaltz/Crouse are proven players, I can see them bouncing back now versus the team as a whole.

 

[Jakey53]

It doesn't look like the rebuild is going to well for our 5th year GM and 4th year coach, where is the progress, metrics, anything......If this was any other NHL team, the coach and GM would get booted.

So, you are saying the way this team is playing is Bear and BA fault? Nothing to do with the players? All players are playing up to their contract?

 

[Jakey53]

What excuses? Its 20 games into the season, pretty small sample size, both players have proven they can get goals in past seasons, at 40 games I bet they both have more goals, in the mean time they are helping us in other ways.

I agree with you that the team points is the stat that matters, 20 games into the season I see the same thing we saw the last few years, great goal tending wins for us, team D never wins a game for us. Thats either coaching or roster construction or both.

Our team D play is more of the same from last few years, not sure why it will all of a sudden bounce and get better now. Schmaltz/Crouse are proven players, I can see them bouncing back now versus the team as a whole.

Crouse has three goals and Schmaltz 0. They better have more goals at the 40 game mark than 3 between them. Stick up for the players and throw Bear under the bus is plain stupid. Bear doesn't play the games. This team doesn't have the luxury of waiting to start winning, it has to happen now.

 

[SjMilhouse]

I'm not expecting this team to go 0 for feburary this season! Expecting a much better second half than what has been, but GMBA needs to tweak the roster.
Norris or Pinto would be a huge trade for Utah! I rather have MacEwan than O'Brien too.
Not only do I think Provorov would be a great fit in Utah, I like our chances of re-signing him if we acquire him and no reason not to be able to outbid all others.

I'd do a trade for Norris if the price was right. Big injury history that scares me but our center depth is not great. Still no true #1C but Norris would be an upgrade and fits the teams timeline well assuming injuries are behind him and he can continue to develop.

 

[cobra427]

Crouse has three goals and Schmaltz 0. They better have more goals at the 40 game mark than 3 between them. Stick up for the players and throw Bear under the bus is plain stupid. Bear doesn't play the games. This team doesn't have the luxury of waiting to start winning, it has to happen now.

I didn't know they had 3 goals between them....my point is, its a reasonable assumption that Crouse/Schmaltz get more goals the rest of the way, closer to their averages the last few years. In Bear, the team has not improved the team D, even though he has been here to install "his system", his "culture" and whatever else for a fair amount of time. I don't think we have seen Bear get more out of the team as a whole, sum of parts is less than or equal to the whole. That isn't a sign of a great coach.

Bear gets a bit of an out, because I think the team is misconstructed. Pretty soon, like this summer, somebody is going to be responsible for our lack of progress if we are an 80ish point team or less. BA or Bear, take your pick, they have had enough runway.......

 

[Coyotedroppings]

I also think high expectations are set as well. Crouse had a good year, maybe he way over achieved. When a player has some success, it seems like there is a new bar set. I don't think its lack of hustle or somebody not being engaged, for the most part, its just a tough game and guys are only so good. I also think when guys you expect to get points don't (Crouse/Hayton last year) or you expect to get goals don't (Schmaltz), then the player isn't working hard or seems not engaged. Many here fail to realize that goals and points are only one part of the game, screens (Hayton) lead to many goals last year, Crouse/Schmaltz PK, etc, all 3 have been very solid on D and our bext defensive forwards.

Once Crouse gets a few more points and Schmaltz a few goals, we won't be talking about them, I like both palyers.

I’m probably being a bit hard on Crouse… trying to meet “some” here 1/2 way. Thing is though, that Crouse is not as skilled as Schmaltz and I’m seeing more hustle from him.

Stop with your stupidity. IF any NHL player is not playing to their potential over a period of time they better look in the mirror. That goes for any job. Weren't you the one that said this is on the players not the coach? Tired of excuses for this team. Not sure if it's lack of talent, lack of effort, wrong system or poor coaching but as it stands today Utah is not good enough, at this stage of their rebuild.

Point being they are looking in the mirror, if you really don’t think so, the stupidity is firmly in your end of the ice.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

there are plenty of NHLers playing for the paycheck rather than the love of the game. The greatest players are the ones that love it and dedicate every waking moment to be their very best

...and then there are those that ride their talents and then there are those like Tyson Nash who should have never made the NHL, but through sheer will and willing to do anything can make a living at playing

There are always a spectrum of ability/work ethic...which is why you have short careers, long careers, spectacular careers, underwhelming careers.

Very few does not make for plenty.

Stop with excuses. There is only one way to gage a team and that is pts. which comes from wins. Winning is all that matters. I like Schmaltz and Crouse as well, but they are both underperforming.

This post, although I did not read Cobra as making excuses, falls under “no shit.”

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Thing is boys, when a player is struggling, he needs to find some element (any element) of his game and get that going. Once he’s got that going, he needs to add another, it’s a process and it can take time.

 

[ViD]

Jiricek for Simashev?

What do you say ?

 

[hbk]

Jiricek for Simashev?

What do you say ?

No

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Stu Grimsom thinks Keller needs to get it going, he’s not wrong, Keller does drive this team. Brings up a thought I’ve been pondering and that is perhaps the captaincy is not looking good on him, just a thought.
Rupper thinks it’s just a matter of shaking the long standing losing culture (new franchise or not) and that they’re making headway.
Both see UHC as ahead of the Canadiens in their progression.

 

[TheLegend]

No, I don’t see “give a crap” as the issue whatsoever.

Neither do I…. he’s been working his ass off when he’s out there.

 

[Jakey53]

I’m probably being a bit hard on Crouse… trying to meet “some” here 1/2 way. Thing is though, that Crouse is not as skilled as Schmaltz and I’m seeing more hustle from him.


Point being they are looking in the mirror, if you really don’t think so, the stupidity is firmly in your end of the ice.

So your take on all this is what you see is what you get, players to have no accountability? Maybe this team's players have looked in the mirror as you say, and this is the best we can expect?

 

[Jakey53]

Stu Grimsom thinks Keller needs to get it going, he’s not wrong, Keller does drive this team. Brings up a thought I’ve been pondering and that is perhaps the captaincy is not looking good on him, just a thought.
Rupper thinks it’s just a matter of shaking the long standing losing culture (new franchise or not) and that they’re making headway.
Both see UHC as ahead of the Canadiens in their progression.

When your line mates are playing like shit, what can a player do. I think Keller is fine, maybe he is trying to do too much to. Here we go with the excuses again, this time it's back to "culture." Comparing Utah's rebuild to the Canadiens is setting the bar low as f---. Fans in Montreal are calling for a coaching change. It's not only Utah and Montreal, but look at Detroit and Ottawa who are ahead of Utah with their rebuild and are struggling. Both coaches there I hear are on the hot seat. Then you have Anaheim and the Sharks who are behind in their rebuild, yet only a couple of pts. behind Utah. I don't know, maybe it's just me expecting more from this team. Maybe we are where we are suppose to be. A rebuild takes time and patience they say.

Neither do I…. he’s been working his ass off when he’s out there.

So, are we as fans over evaluating the players on this team?