From where I see it, it's a good time to be an Avs fan. Duchene, Stastny, Landeskog, Johnson, Downie, Mueller, McGinn, Siemens, Elliot, Barrie, and Varlamov, all under 26. For references' sake, we have Couture, Wingels, Demers, Galiardi, Vlasic, and Desjardins in the same age group.
The problem for the Avs is chronic. They have always had issues drafting/developing dmen. They won by acquiring a blueline. IMO, several blueline pieces away and they probably have to remove the HC who is way too conservative/unimaginative.
Kevin Kurz of Sharks Insider confirms that it's "become a virtual certainty McLellan will return" to San Jose next season, and throws scout Dirk Graham's name into the hopper for a potential assistant coach.
From Kevin Kurz:
It’s become a virtual certainty McLellan will return, based on conversations with people in and around the Sharks organization.
The problem for the Avs is chronic. They have always had issues drafting/developing dmen. They won by acquiring a blueline. IMO, several blueline pieces away and they probably have to remove the HC who is way too conservative/unimaginative.
I have no difficulty believing that by the time the Avs are ready to contend, Sacco will be long gone. Also, I think Colorado is a dark horse for getting Suter. They're young and have a lot of time ahead of them, they have the cap space and the need, and he has Stastny and Johnson as US Olympian buddies.
Kevin Kurz of Sharks Insider confirms that it's "become a virtual certainty McLellan will return" to San Jose next season, and throws scout Dirk Graham's name into the hopper for a potential assistant coach.
From Kevin Kurz:
It’s become a virtual certainty McLellan will return, based on conversations with people in and around the Sharks organization.
Dirk Milton Graham (born July 29, 1959 in Regina, Saskatchewan) is a retired Canadian professional forward who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League. He was honored in 1991 as the Frank J. Selke Trophy winner for outstanding defensive play by a forward. Graham served as head coach of the Blackhawks briefly during the 1998–99 season before being relieved of his duties after 59 games. Graham played for over 10 NHL seasons, appearing in 772 games. He scored 219 goals and 270 assists with 917 penalty minnutes, In the playoffs, he played in 90 games with 17 goals and 27 assists.
In 1992, Graham captained the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they got swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is currently a scout for the San Jose Sharks.
Dirk Milton Graham (born July 29, 1959 in Regina, Saskatchewan) is a retired Canadian professional forward who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League. He was honored in 1991 as the Frank J. Selke Trophy winner for outstanding defensive play by a forward. Graham served as head coach of the Blackhawks briefly during the 1998–99 season before being relieved of his duties after 59 games. Graham played for over 10 NHL seasons, appearing in 772 games. He scored 219 goals and 270 assists with 917 penalty minnutes, In the playoffs, he played in 90 games with 17 goals and 27 assists.
In 1992, Graham captained the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they got swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is currently a scout for the San Jose Sharks.
So the org thinks promoting a guy from within the organization would be a good idea? I think we need new blood.
Someone totally foreign could really throw a wrench in the gears. Getting someone from within the org that at least DW knows on a more personal and long term level might be the best solution.
Someone totally foreign could really throw a wrench in the gears. Getting someone from within the org that at least DW knows on a more personal and long term level might be the best solution.
I guess... But frankly we have no idea what this guy's strengths as an assistant coach would be. He won a Selke, so I guess he understands the value of good two-way play and maybe he could get control of the PK and lower liners.
I digress. I really have no idea what the **** I'm talking about.
The problem for the Avs is chronic. They have always had issues drafting/developing dmen. They won by acquiring a blueline. IMO, several blueline pieces away and they probably have to remove the HC who is way too conservative/unimaginative.
Avs never had a lot of talented young defensmen in their system, but since Pracey took over as head scout we're seeing great improvements in that department with the arrival of Elliott (2011 WHL D-man of the year), Barrie (2010 WHL D-man of the year and 2011 runner up to Elliott), Siemens and Gaunce (who played great in the AHL this season) who all project as top 4 NHL defensmen.
I guess... But frankly we have no idea what this guy's strengths as an assistant coach would be. He won a Selke, so I guess he understands the value of good two-way play and maybe he could get control of the PK and lower liners.
I digress. I really have no idea what the **** I'm talking about.
Neither do I lol, but my guess would be that a personality conflict between coaches could be disastrous with the kind of stress levels in that kind of job.
Avs never had a lot of talented young defensmen in their system, but since Pracey took over as head scout we're seeing great improvements in that department with the arrival of Elliott (2011 WHL D-man of the year), Barrie (2010 WHL D-man of the year and 2011 runner up to Elliott), Siemens and Gaunce (who played great in the AHL this season) who all project as top 4 NHL defensmen.
I hope it works it out. Drafting is half the story, developing is the second half (where we have to wait and see). The Avs have always been good on finding/developing forwards. And years ago, very good on goalies (not anymore). I have done some work by the numbers on strengths and weaknesses of the various teams in drafting/developing.
I hope it works it out. Drafting is half the story, developing is the second half (where we have to wait and see). The Avs have always been good on finding/developing forwards. And years ago, very good on goalies (not anymore). I have done some work by the numbers on strengths and weaknesses of the various teams in drafting/developing.
Avs were never very good on goalies, the best they drafted before the lockout was Aebischer (unless you count Thomas who didn't get a proper chance in Colorado) and he was nothing to write home about. Right now they have a pretty good group of young talent in the pipeline with Pickard, Aittokallio, Patterson, Millan, Desjardins (if he's retained) etc.
I'm well aware that drafting is only half of the story and you really can't compare the pre lockout Avs draft and development records to that of the current FO group. Pre lockout Avs had only one thing on their mind and that was winning the SC, that led to some gross missmanagement of draft picks and prospects which led to the demise of the Avs as a contender after the lockout ended. The FO group that's in place now is doing a much much better job of managing their prospects and draft picks.
I'm pretty sure they're being groomed as execs in the Detroit org like Yzerman. I don't see why they'd leave.
I don't think Draper would leave because he's special assistant to the GM. That sort of leads me to believe that he wants to be a GM but Maltby is a scout. That can lead down many paths including coaching at some point.
Awful decision to keep McLellan. His system simply does not work against superior teams. Very often leaves huge holes and defense can't catch up. The PK is atrocious, and he used the same strategy all year. Stand around, no movement at all, passing lanes open, rely on Niemi to make the save and attempt to clear the rebound. Also uses too much dump and chase, he knows not many of his players can win puck battles, dumping it into the zone is often essentially a turnover. And the team his system worked worst against? The St. Louis Blues. What did he do to change it? Jack ****. That decision should have cost him his job, I hope this one costs DW his.
Avs were never very good on goalies, the best they drafted before the lockout was Aebischer (unless you count Thomas who didn't get a proper chance in Colorado) and he was nothing to write home about. Right now they have a pretty good group of young talent in the pipeline with Pickard, Aittokallio, Patterson, Millan, Desjardins (if he's retained) etc.
I'm well aware that drafting is only half of the story and you really can't compare the pre lockout Avs draft and development records to that of the current FO group. Pre lockout Avs had only one thing on their mind and that was winning the SC, that led to some gross missmanagement of draft picks and prospects which led to the demise of the Avs as a contender after the lockout ended. The FO group that's in place now is doing a much much better job of managing their prospects and draft picks.
Fernandez, Denis, etc. as well. I rated orgs on # of games played by their goalies drafted. At one point they were #2 in the league.
There are not likely to be any 'sure thing' goalies available. You either take a risk on a reclamation project (Mason) or you give the best goalie you have in the system a shot and see what he can do (Stalock/Sateri).
Sticking with Niemi is pointless, he's not a bad goalie, but he's no better than Greiss, and costs a LOT more. My bet is it will be Stalock, but you really don't have a lot to lose at this point.
This.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayP812
Awful decision to keep McLellan. His system simply does not work against superior teams. Very often leaves huge holes and defense can't catch up. The PK is atrocious, and he used the same strategy all year. Stand around, no movement at all, passing lanes open, rely on Niemi to make the save and attempt to clear the rebound. Also uses too much dump and chase, he knows not many of his players can win puck battles, dumping it into the zone is often essentially a turnover. And the team his system worked worst against? The St. Louis Blues. What did he do to change it? Jack ****. That decision should have cost him his job, I hope this one costs DW his.
And this.
Having mclellan stay better mean some serious changes with the AC's and some forced changes and adaptation of the system. No more bullsh1t excuses from Tmac about players just needing to "execute".
Really upset about this.
If we don't get rid of Tmac, can we at least please give Stalock & Greiss the net? Please Please Please.
I'm not sure how it works but isn't the GM usually telling the HC "hey man you're assistants ****ing suck. ditch those guys and get some better people" usually a nice way of saying "**** up one more time and I swear to god you're on the street"?
