I agree on Havlat. He was special.
And then injuries. But thank god he didn't play for us. He'd suck and get injured. The system would throw him under the bus too.
So many things wrong right know, and bad memories come up. Like I always though Hank isn't ever gonna be a real shutdown goalie. A game changer. Maybe I never really witnessed that aura I am talking about, but maybe he never has or shows this ability to begin with.
Last game is a good example. You knew at some point, there was that presence of Fatso. After two period we all knew he is there, on top of the game. Picked up dump ins like cherries and threw em right back past us.
With Hank it mostly feels awful, and he is usally packed tight, deep in net. Add games where the D is intimidated, he can't/doesn't pull of a Kahn.
No intimidation potential.
I'm not gonna bash him, but he has to light himself up, very soon so must I add.
I think I know why, but not really how to fix that problem.
The way I see it, the dynamic of/the essence of hockey is of two forces. Skill and Intimidation. These two are interconnected, like intimidation decreases your skill and domination enhances it.
I don't want to say we lack both! But the team that figures out the equation right is gonna be on top.
Our problem is, this is how I feel, we get intimidated too easy. The D, in the case of last night, was lacking G, lacking the brick wall. They got intimidated quickly, their skill level dropped. Hank follows through the gutter. The D is skilled, gets intimidated to quickly though.
Now our offense is a different story. All those giveaways on the forecheck are more a skill and system thing, yet have to stop immediately, it is discouraging.
We have two promising kids, and that first line. We are a very skilled team, don't get me worng, but the wealth is not spread evenly on all the lines.
That first line has so much skill, they intimidated each other. Spread the wealth. They are so rich they get scared around each other, scared of short puck on stick time.
And the PP ... good lord. That **** is static, just static. If they accomplish zone presence, which is a miracle then already, they get static! No dynamic! No production!
We need to do something till next game. It is ten games in by then.
This is quite serious you all know. We could end up with a Boston Maple Leaf situation. No first round pick ... for some jelly.