GDT: Senators at Avalanche | 7PM | SN1/TVAS | Fighting the Ball Arena Ballerinas

Cosmix

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Jul 24, 2011
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It's the first year of mediocrity (we're close to 0.500 and our goal differential is not too bad)

The 5 seasons before that were way below mediocrity

The best one was 2020-21 with Gustavsson and Murray playing really good hockey in the 2nd half of the season and the fact that we were in the weak North division.

The team we have is absolutely terrible but we have several talented guys who masks the deficiencies, a bit in the same way Carey Price was hiding how bad the Habs were for years.
We need a definition of "Mediocrity" as some think it means well below average or at the bottom of performance.

Definitions of mediocrity
  1. noun
    ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding
    synonyms:averageness
    see more

  2. noun
    a person of second-rate ability or value
    “shone among the mediocrities who surrounded him”
    synonyms:second-rater
 
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GCK

Registered User
Oct 15, 2018
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It's funny, because we're 2nd in the league in hits per game, 4th in major penalties. We're also up there in blocks, and hits taken at around 10th for each.

Idk if soft is the right term, I feel like it's more complacency, we just don't seem ready for puck battles, we're willing to engage, and don't bail on plays to avoid contact, but often seem surprised when backpressure comes, at least that's why I often see,
The team loses so many board battles it’s incredible. Most of our D give away the front of the net and try fronting because they can’t win a battle for position. Our current bottom 6 are too small outside Kastelic and Watson.
 

Xspyrit

DJ Dorion
Jun 29, 2008
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Montreal, Canada
OK then I am out of explanations. I don't really see a physical team, nor do a see a puck possession team, yet the numbers tell a different story. I guess I need new prescription glasses!

Like I said just a few posts ago, the team we have is absolutely terrible but we have several talented guys who masks the deficiencies, a bit in the same way Carey Price was hiding how bad the Habs were for years.

We don't really have an identity, maybe management/coach thought we'd be bullying teams and run through them balls to the walls but that's just not realistic. It's actually delusional.

It seems that we are allergic to keeping forwards who are good on both sides of the puck or at least good defensively. Mark Stone, JG Pageau, Nick Paul, Rudolfs Balcers, Connor Brown, Vlad Namestnikov, Filip Chlapik and Alex Formenton (although we might have had no control over him) all gone in recent past. I also wish we went after Phillip Danault wtf, Montreal was stupid enough to let him go. We should have tried VERY HARD to sign him, he's well worth his 5.5 AAV. The guy has been Top-8 in Selke voting the last 4 years. He exemplifies 2-way hockey

At some point I naively thought we would build the team this way (2-way hockey), but the coaching and forwards we have doesn't allow that style much. Problem is we have nowhere near the defense and goaltending to be playing run and a gun hockey, which seems to be what Dorion wants to do? Flash news : other NHL teams are talented too!

Anyway, I hope that helps. Please know that I am here for support. I think we're getting to the point where we should create a support line for Sens fans. We are slowly but surely approaching Sabres fans pain of the last decade territory

Thanks a lot guy in my avatar!
 
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DrEasy

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Oct 3, 2010
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The team loses so many board battles it’s incredible. Most of our D give away the front of the net and try fronting because they can’t win a battle for position. Our current bottom 6 are too small outside Kastelic and Watson.
Our current top 6 isn't exactly big either.
 

DylanSensFan

BEESHIP: NBH
Aug 3, 2010
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Calgary
I'm honestly not seeing a lazy group. I'm seeing a group of guys that simply doesn't know what it's doing out there. They need guidance and support, of which they have zero.
I don't think they're lazy. I do think the coaching sucks. But I also think their leaders is a bit listless. Brady needs to pick it up a little bit.
 

Nac Mac Feegle

wee & free
Jun 10, 2011
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The team loses so many board battles it’s incredible. Most of our D give away the front of the net and try fronting because they can’t win a battle for position. Our current bottom 6 are too small outside Kastelic and Watson.

That is one of my main issues with the team right now. I'm not really worried about wins and losses this season, because this would've been a melting pot year - a year where a bunch of new faces start to learn to play with one another and gel as a unit. Get to the point where playmaking is intuitive with consistent linemates and becomes automatic over the course of the season.

What gets me is the lack of compete. This team was supposedly built to be big, fast, and in your face with atittude. Not the most talented (in fact, we max out as average in talent in the league when these guys are done developing), but top of the league in swagger. A team where opponents have to fight for every inch of room. And we haven't been doing that for most games. And that is a big reason why we're failing.
 

Cosmix

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Jul 24, 2011
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The team loses so many board battles it’s incredible. Most of our D give away the front of the net and try fronting because they can’t win a battle for position. Our current bottom 6 are too small outside Kastelic and Watson.
Although small, Kelly plays big! He hustles, hits and causes the other team to take penalties.
 
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GCK

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Oct 15, 2018
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Although small, Kelly plays big! He hustles, hits and causes the other team to take penalties.
Gambrell, Brassard, Luchinni, Motte and Kelly routinely get beat in battles.

1 of Motte or Kelly would be okay as a winger on the 4th line for their energy but should only see the 3rd line as injury replacement.
 

Cosmix

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Jul 24, 2011
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Gambrell, Brassard, Luchinni, Motte and Kelly routinely get beat in battles.

1 of Motte or Kelly would be okay as a winger on the 4th line for their energy but should only see the 3rd line as injury replacement.
I agree that neither should be on the 3rd line. I would rather have Kelly than Motte.
 

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