I like Wilson, but he isn't consistent enough to be a top pair Dman.
Exactly. He's a great teammate, makes some good passes every now and then, and can line guys up for big hits, but he's not good enough defensively, or offensively to be much more than a 3rd pairing guy. A good team with a good D unit doesn't have him any higher than that.
Seth Jones will look so good in burgundy n blue haha. An expected loss but after the first period who would've thought they brown the bed? Oh wait this is the Avs should've known better. Varly, Johnson and Mitchell were the only players that showed up. PAP was a slower version of Jason Allison, Duchene started well then crapped himself, Landeskog just didnt compete hard enough, Stastny still cant make a pass to save his life.
The defense needs help, but the first two lines did not supply much offense tonight and we lack forward depth.
Depth in what way? We have Hejduk and Downie on the 3rd line. That is decent depth. The Avs assumed they would have ROR to start the year. So if you add him, I think the forwards are good, and possibly quite good.
I can understand the idea that Barrie isn't ready. He did make some really bad reads and struggled with gap control. Granted I only saw him a few times in the AHL, but I didn't see that there. I think he just needs a few games to acclimate to the NHL speed. He brings quite a bit of offense. Some real good plays to create chances. I think he'll be alright.
Exactly. He's a great teammate, makes some good passes every now and then, and can line guys up for big hits, but he's not good enough defensively, or offensively to be much more than a 3rd pairing guy. A good team with a good D unit doesn't have him any higher than that.
I agree. It just shows the glaring need of quality defensemen on this team. Wilson on a Cup contender doesn't break the 3rd pairing unless they get injuries.
He's still only a 21 year old kid playing a difficult position. He's looking alright but some plays leave you scratching your head though.
I understand that he's only 21 but three giveaways at center ice that lead to scoring opportunities can't be defended. We can blame some of the missed defensive assignments on his age and inexperience but there's no excuse for just giving the puck away like that.
The Avs were unlucky tonight, but you also got that gut feeling the wheels would come off once they gave up those 2 quick goals. GOTTA SCORE EMPTY NET GOALS.
Was not our night, sometimes that's the way it goes.
Was certainly not a good night for Jones or Downie.
The Jones icing led directly to their 2nd goal and should have been averted. Downie lost his cool and so did Mitchell on Clutterturd. Too much PK tonight...way too much.
I'm not really upset with McGinn or Downie for missing those wide open nets. They haven't played hockey in 9 months so their timing's gonna be a bit off.
I am upset with Downie for that retarded second penalty. It's the first game back, and no one really took any liberties against him in the game, how is he loosing his cool already??? Really concerning.
Also upset that Duchene continues to be a chemistry vaccum. No one can read off him or get into a groove. He just demands the puck to make plays, but then makes stupid decisions. He either tries to stick handle through two or three guys, or thread a needle on a cross rink hard pass through two or three guys.
I don't understand why anybody hasn't sat him down and told him he NEEDS to simplify his game if he wants to get better, and if they have I don't understand why he doesn't listen.
I hate having to pay 50 bucks for center ice in SD while I can watch kings and ducks games for free in HD. I guess the ducks are going to be my 2nd favorite team this year since I really don't feel like paying for this season and I've always hated the kings.
I can understand the idea that Barrie isn't ready. He did make some really bad reads and struggled with gap control. Granted I only saw him a few times in the AHL, but I didn't see that there. I think he just needs a few games to acclimate to the NHL speed. He brings quite a bit of offense. Some real good plays to create chances. I think he'll be alright.
I won't say he isn't ready. But, I think Sacco shouldn't throw him into the fire so soon either. Confidence can be lost really quickly if he does. Put him out there when he can play to his strength and we'll see what exactly he's capable of. ON THE FLIP SIDE: We don't have a ton of options on defense either.
Obviously first game of the year, short camp, blah blah. However, there are some real simple things that bother me. Both coaching.
Hejda and ROB? Really? Again. We know they can contain players and keep them to the outside. They play a safe game. But they are stuck until Varly covers it, the other team scores, or we ice the puck. Just painful watching them.
Duchene against the other teams top lines can't happen. Stastny has already played that role. Put Landy on Stastny's line, and play them against the opposing top line. Granted they were on the road, but you still have to try to line match better.
