Official 2024-25 Utah HC Season Discussion.

[Heldig]

Why do you say that? Simashev hasn't played one game in the NHL, Valimaki wouldn't be top six on a playoff team with his play this year. I think out of that group Utah should have a pretty solid top 4, but not sure if I would say top 10 nex year.

Of course we dont know how well Simashev will play. He is big, a fantastic skater and responsible defensively. Playing alongside Durzi means he does not have a lot of offensive responsibilities early on. I am optimistic he can start in the top 6.

The RHS is stacked. Lamoureux was excellent before his injury. If he is your 4th RHD that is a very good problem to have.

Valimaki has not been great. Could be options there including Maata, Cole, Koloynochok or a FA.

 

[larueskee]

Your time on ice leaders for the defense are 1 Sergachev 2 Cole 3 Kesselring 4 Maata. Maata is averaging 21.09 which is 2nd but he has only been here for 41 games.

 

[Stanley Thermos]

I think Maata has worn his TOI well, so far. I haven't had the sense that he's overworked. He looks like a pro out there managing his energy, anticipating the play and where he needs to go. He's certainly not prefect, but I'm please with how he's done for us given the cost and our need.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

both Utah and Roadrunners are having a tough time of it, big club lost 5 in a row and Roadrunners are 1-7-1-1 in their last 10 games

and neither team can score

 

[Arizonatah Coyetis]

both Utah and Roadrunners are having a tough time of it, big club lost 5 in a row and Roadrunners are 1-7-1-1 in their last 10 games

and neither team can score

They using Tourigny's system down in Tucson too? I'd think so for consistency.

 

[Arizonatah Coyetis]

Seriously! Anyone know?

Not always, but often AHL coaches are instructed to play the same system as the NHL affiliate so that call-ups are more seamless for the young players. So they don't have to adapt to a new system along with the higher level of play when they're called up. It also makes it easier to judge how far along a young player is when called up. Consistency has many benefits... unless the system is broken.

If Tucson is playing the same system as the big club, and it's not having success there either, it's a sign that it's a system issue and that falls on Tourigny because it's his system. Maybe this adds more credibility to the need of a coaching change?

 

[TheLegend]

They using Tourigny's system down in Tucson too? I'd think so for consistency.

Utah is paying them.

 

[Arizonatah Coyetis]

Utah is paying them.

Yep. The RR's are owned by Meruelo but staffed by Utah. That's why I expect that the teams are both still playing the same system. I had read before that they were with the Coyotes, probably still are.

Maybe Tourigny's system is (part of) the problem. The roster BA constructed, even with all the injuries, should be higher in the standings than this, IMO. I think blame falls on the coaching staff and the veteran players that we thought would be there but fell off a cliff instead. Issues with inconsistency and effort level from period to period and game to game is not a roster construction issue. Neither is falling apart in the third period repeatedly. It's a coaching and player accountability issue. At least, that's how I see it.

I think AT and his coaching staff are the only ones on the hot seat. We'll see! Never can tell what the owner of an NHL franchise is thinking for sure.