Another season, another new coach and another round of questions in D.C. Can Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals finally make a serious run in the playoffs? Will new coach Barry Trotz be the long searched for answer? And will it be worth all those millions to shore up a porous blue line?
Since he's been in the league Alex Ovechkin has gone through coaches like Hugh Heffner goes through girlfriends. From Bruce Boudreau, to Dale Hunter then Adam Oates the changing systems and voice behind the bench have lead to one constant: playoff disappointment. After a while you need to look beyond the bench and long time GM George McPhee was iced earlier this year. The fact is he had to answer for his under performing team and superstar. At a certain point the players need to step up and McPhee's replacement Brian MacLellan now faces the unenviable task of taking a group of underachievers and making them into something more.
To do this he poached two defencemen from the rival Pittsburgh Penguins at a cost that again has us wondering what they're putting in the water down there. Sure Matt Niskanen was arguably the top available defencemen in free agency this summer and with such a poor crop he was likely to get overpaid regardless of where he ended up but the contract they gave him at 7 million per season is something that will be both tough to live up to and could hinder them as far as salary cap structure moving forward. This however wasn't the biggest head scratcher. They then went out and signed Brooks Orpik for just over 5 million per season. Here is a shut down guy who provides minimal offence and perhaps even less foot speed and is getting this kind of money on a long term deal when he will be entering his later thirties, Now, there's something to be said for experience and leadership but this is more confusing than a Chris Nolan thriller.
The man set to lead this group is Barry Trotz, the only coach the Nashville Predators franchise had ever known. Barry has garnered a reputation of being a tough coach getting a lot out of the little he had to work with in Tennessee. That said he had something he may not here and that is an elite goalie in Pekka Rinne. It will now be up to the talented but still young Braden Holtby to shoulder the load for this team and Trotz will have to convince his flashy stars up front to play a complete game and the physical close checking style he employed in Nashville may not fly with the personnel.
All of this leads up to them hosting the Chicago Blackhawks for the Winter Classic in Nationals Park in January. There will be a lot of attention on the team this year, especially in a year where the east looks like it could be open for the taking. Can Ovi step up and be a leader? Can his supporting cast of Backstrom and co. find another level come the post season? Will this newly minted defence core stand up to the test? As always in Washington there's a lot to deal with...
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
'A' for Effort
Marc Bergevin is either Santa Clause, the easiest grader the world has ever seen or doing his best Oprah impression "You get an A, you get an A, everybody gets an A!". The Habs GM has decided to go without a captain instead opting for a leadership committee naming a number of the young teams leaders to wear the A instead. This decision is one that may cause a bit of stir in the media and perhaps in the locker room but ultimately could work out for the best. Some of the biggest names the game has ever seen have won the C for Les Glorieux so needless to say the pressure that comes with being the captain of the Montreal Canadiens is immense.
The Habs are a young team full of talent and up and comers like Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk, newly added PA Parenteau and a proven goaltender in Carey Price, so all signs point to them having another successful season. Are they ready to take that next step? Who knows, but the four men who will shoulder this leadership burden, PK Subban, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov are all key player with different but major roles on the team. You have their leading goal man in Pacioretty, a proven two way defenseman in Markov and a top two way center in Plekanec and an enigmatic often talked about star in Subban who is not one to shy away from the limelight. It will fall to them to lead this group and step up when it matter most.
The theory here perhaps is that the burden may be to much for the younger stars (Subban, Pacioretty) so this will take some of the pressure off, buying them some time to mature into that role. The other issue that cannot be denied in Montreal is the French speaking aspect and their comfort level in dealing with the French media. Former captains have tried their best to learn the language to accommodate this important factor and undoubtedly this new leaders will have to make a similar effort.
Montreal made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year losing to the New York Rangers after knocking off Tampa Bay and their bitter rival Boston Bruins in one of the more entertaining playoff series, and in an Eastern Conference that looks to be there for the taking there's no reason they can't put together another solid post season run.
That said there were a few key departures in the summer that may significantly impact the club. Former captain Brian Gionta and stalward defenceman and fan favorite Josh Gorges are now both with division rival Buffalo who look to improve after several down years. Gionta is a veteran leader who, while not piling up the points like he used to, played a steady two way game and had the experience and respect that you need in a leader especially on a young team. His departure may be missed more in the locker room than on the ice but that's not easily replaced. As for Gorges he was thought perhaps to be the next captain after Gionta and that he was let go puzzled many, myself included. He has had a rash of injuries and knee problems over the past few years so perhaps the Habs know something the rest of us don't but he was a steadying presence on the back end and from all accounts well like by teammates so it will be on the young defence core, the likes of Beaulieu and Tinordi to step up and fill the void. If they can Montreal may find themselves playing late into the spring.
The Habs are a young team full of talent and up and comers like Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk, newly added PA Parenteau and a proven goaltender in Carey Price, so all signs point to them having another successful season. Are they ready to take that next step? Who knows, but the four men who will shoulder this leadership burden, PK Subban, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov are all key player with different but major roles on the team. You have their leading goal man in Pacioretty, a proven two way defenseman in Markov and a top two way center in Plekanec and an enigmatic often talked about star in Subban who is not one to shy away from the limelight. It will fall to them to lead this group and step up when it matter most.
The theory here perhaps is that the burden may be to much for the younger stars (Subban, Pacioretty) so this will take some of the pressure off, buying them some time to mature into that role. The other issue that cannot be denied in Montreal is the French speaking aspect and their comfort level in dealing with the French media. Former captains have tried their best to learn the language to accommodate this important factor and undoubtedly this new leaders will have to make a similar effort.
Montreal made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year losing to the New York Rangers after knocking off Tampa Bay and their bitter rival Boston Bruins in one of the more entertaining playoff series, and in an Eastern Conference that looks to be there for the taking there's no reason they can't put together another solid post season run.
That said there were a few key departures in the summer that may significantly impact the club. Former captain Brian Gionta and stalward defenceman and fan favorite Josh Gorges are now both with division rival Buffalo who look to improve after several down years. Gionta is a veteran leader who, while not piling up the points like he used to, played a steady two way game and had the experience and respect that you need in a leader especially on a young team. His departure may be missed more in the locker room than on the ice but that's not easily replaced. As for Gorges he was thought perhaps to be the next captain after Gionta and that he was let go puzzled many, myself included. He has had a rash of injuries and knee problems over the past few years so perhaps the Habs know something the rest of us don't but he was a steadying presence on the back end and from all accounts well like by teammates so it will be on the young defence core, the likes of Beaulieu and Tinordi to step up and fill the void. If they can Montreal may find themselves playing late into the spring.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Steel City Meltdown
Another season, another bitter failure for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sidney Crosby and company laid the proverbial egg blowing a 3-1 series lead against the rival New York Rangers and now have another long off season of questions ahead.
Unlike other recent playoff debacles where much of the blame was (rightly) dumped squarely on the shoulders of goalie Marc Andre Fleury it was the Penguins high priced forwards who failed to get the job done, all be it against a very solid defensive Rangers team and one of the best goalies in the world in 'King' Henrik Lundqvist.
Sidney Crosby had only one goal in the post season and Evgeni Malkin, aside from his hat-trick early on did very little. Their leading goal scorer was Jussi Jokinen, who, with all due respect, shouldn't be their top forward regardless of how well he played (and was full value for his effort) as last I checked this wasn't a shoot out. Pascal Dupuis's season ending injury months ago through the lines into chaos and forced coach Dan Bylsma to mix and match but with the talent of Pittsburgh's top six and their skilled puck moving D their failure to capitalize on their opportunities was ultimately their undoing.
Comparisons will ultimately be made between dynamic groups of forwards and if you look around the league the like of Chicago's Toews and Kane are proving to be the ultimate clutch tandem. Crosby and Malkin? Say what you want about their effort and how much they controlled the play at times, all of which is true, they never seemed not to care or be giving less than their all, but in the end results are what matter and they couldn't get the job done when it counted most. When called upon to step up, they couldn't find an answer. Now they certainly weren't alone in that category, Chris Kunitz,, Kris Letang and James Neil did little the last few games in terms of production and now this whole group has to be held accountable.
Many will blame the coach but that lets the players off the hook far to easily. Ray Shiero the GM has come under fire as well and rightfully so. The Penguins lack the depth they had when they won it all in 2009 and have failed to make the Finals since. When Crosby is playing with Lee Stempniak, or Brian Gibbons you appreciate that he has a roster in need of a top six forward. Now injuries play a part but again that's an excuse. Your talent either rises to the challenge and repeatedly of late in the Steel City it hasn't. You can bet changes will follow.
Unlike other recent playoff debacles where much of the blame was (rightly) dumped squarely on the shoulders of goalie Marc Andre Fleury it was the Penguins high priced forwards who failed to get the job done, all be it against a very solid defensive Rangers team and one of the best goalies in the world in 'King' Henrik Lundqvist.
Sidney Crosby had only one goal in the post season and Evgeni Malkin, aside from his hat-trick early on did very little. Their leading goal scorer was Jussi Jokinen, who, with all due respect, shouldn't be their top forward regardless of how well he played (and was full value for his effort) as last I checked this wasn't a shoot out. Pascal Dupuis's season ending injury months ago through the lines into chaos and forced coach Dan Bylsma to mix and match but with the talent of Pittsburgh's top six and their skilled puck moving D their failure to capitalize on their opportunities was ultimately their undoing.
Comparisons will ultimately be made between dynamic groups of forwards and if you look around the league the like of Chicago's Toews and Kane are proving to be the ultimate clutch tandem. Crosby and Malkin? Say what you want about their effort and how much they controlled the play at times, all of which is true, they never seemed not to care or be giving less than their all, but in the end results are what matter and they couldn't get the job done when it counted most. When called upon to step up, they couldn't find an answer. Now they certainly weren't alone in that category, Chris Kunitz,, Kris Letang and James Neil did little the last few games in terms of production and now this whole group has to be held accountable.
Many will blame the coach but that lets the players off the hook far to easily. Ray Shiero the GM has come under fire as well and rightfully so. The Penguins lack the depth they had when they won it all in 2009 and have failed to make the Finals since. When Crosby is playing with Lee Stempniak, or Brian Gibbons you appreciate that he has a roster in need of a top six forward. Now injuries play a part but again that's an excuse. Your talent either rises to the challenge and repeatedly of late in the Steel City it hasn't. You can bet changes will follow.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Captain Conundrum
With the Ottawa Senators season long since over, they've had ample time to reflect and the trade rumors have begun to gain momentum like Ray Emery cruising down the 417. The most speculated of these is of course their captain Jason Spezza and what the future holds for number 19. The fact that he is captain may be contentious in itself but the fact is when he's healthy he's a point a game player, one of the best face off men and play makers in the league and an elite forwards aren't exactly in the bargain bin. Suitors have emerged such as the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers (because that's just what they do) but is there anyone who can give Ottawa a solid return?
Now, I've never been Spezza's biggest supporter and am not totally opposed to trading him, IF the price is right. And that's the problem facing GM Bryan Murray. What is fair value for him, and how do you replace his impact on the team? Who takes those key draws late in games or runs the power play down low? That's not to say his game is without flaw. Countless times I've seen his infamous back pass to...nobody in particular, or watched other top centermen beat him to the net in his own end. However his defensive game has improved and often times this season it was his wingers or Ottawa's young defensive core that were to blame in their own end.
It's funny that he once again finds himself the center, (no pun intended) of controversy as when he came into the league Jacques Martin was afraid to play him because of his defensive inexperience. As he grew other faults were found and he was much maligned for the teams struggles for no particular reason.
The post- Alfredsson era was going to be an adjustment regardless and clearly did not start well in the nations capital but the loss of Sergi Gonchar may have hurt them every bit as much as it was the costly turn overs and mistakes in coverage in their own end that more often than not resulted in the puck going in the wrong net. Their goaltending which stole games last year was very average and their young core just seemed directionless at times. One can certainly hold leadership accountable and as captain Spezza must shoulder his share of the blame but he certainly is the only one at fault.
It wasn't all that long ago that Spezza was setting Dany Heatly up for back to back fifty goal season and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals. I don't recall a lot of people calling for his head during those years. What Spezza needs and may have found with late season addition Ales Hemsky is a top six forward to play with. When Milan Michalek was healthy the other year he certainly fit the bill and both had solid seasons but that hasn't been the case of late and with Michalek's contract up perhaps Ottawa would be wisest to sign his fellow countrymen Hemsky and promote a young winger to form a 1A line after the Turris, MacArthur, Ryan unit.
Spezza's cap hit of 7 million isn't a huge sum and this is a franchise who has lost the like of Havlat, Chara, Redden and Alfredsson its most celebrated hero for next to nothing, they can't afford to let it happen again.
Now, I've never been Spezza's biggest supporter and am not totally opposed to trading him, IF the price is right. And that's the problem facing GM Bryan Murray. What is fair value for him, and how do you replace his impact on the team? Who takes those key draws late in games or runs the power play down low? That's not to say his game is without flaw. Countless times I've seen his infamous back pass to...nobody in particular, or watched other top centermen beat him to the net in his own end. However his defensive game has improved and often times this season it was his wingers or Ottawa's young defensive core that were to blame in their own end.
It's funny that he once again finds himself the center, (no pun intended) of controversy as when he came into the league Jacques Martin was afraid to play him because of his defensive inexperience. As he grew other faults were found and he was much maligned for the teams struggles for no particular reason.
The post- Alfredsson era was going to be an adjustment regardless and clearly did not start well in the nations capital but the loss of Sergi Gonchar may have hurt them every bit as much as it was the costly turn overs and mistakes in coverage in their own end that more often than not resulted in the puck going in the wrong net. Their goaltending which stole games last year was very average and their young core just seemed directionless at times. One can certainly hold leadership accountable and as captain Spezza must shoulder his share of the blame but he certainly is the only one at fault.
It wasn't all that long ago that Spezza was setting Dany Heatly up for back to back fifty goal season and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals. I don't recall a lot of people calling for his head during those years. What Spezza needs and may have found with late season addition Ales Hemsky is a top six forward to play with. When Milan Michalek was healthy the other year he certainly fit the bill and both had solid seasons but that hasn't been the case of late and with Michalek's contract up perhaps Ottawa would be wisest to sign his fellow countrymen Hemsky and promote a young winger to form a 1A line after the Turris, MacArthur, Ryan unit.
Spezza's cap hit of 7 million isn't a huge sum and this is a franchise who has lost the like of Havlat, Chara, Redden and Alfredsson its most celebrated hero for next to nothing, they can't afford to let it happen again.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Canadian Collapse - NHL Season Wrap
With the playoffs beginning a week from today Canadian rinks will be emptier than a Coyotes game, the lone exception being the Montreal Canadiens who will in all likelihood face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.
The Habs have a decent opportunity to make a run in the east with new addition Tomas Vanek fitting in rather nicely with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais on their top line. Carey Price has a lot to prove going into the playoffs, despite his spectacular play in the Olympics as he's yet to have any real success come April.
Elsewhere in Canada there's nothing left to do but ask questions. And they abound...
In Vancouver the ax has already fallen on GM Mike Gillis who made several moves with his goaltending that can only be described as bizarre. At this point last year they Canucks had two prove number 1 NHL caliber goalies, now...? The always entertaining John Tortorella is still in place behind the bench, for now, but it will be up to Canucks legend and new President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden to decide his fate. One thing is for sure, we'll get Tort's opinion either way.
In Calgary the Flames continue to rebuild and President of Hockey Operations/Psuedo GM Brian Burke has decision to make on several fronts, aside from whatever that is on his head, including what to do with Mike Cammalleri. He's a proven goal scorer and played reasonably well this season but may command a higher price on the market than the Flames are willing to pay. Rookie Sean Monahan was a nice surprise for the franchise and they have young talent and a solid leader in Mark Giordano so they have pieces in place moving ahead.
In Edmonton, it's a case of deja vu all over again. How many years and high draft picks will it take to turn this organization around? Without a playoff birth since their Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2006 the faithful are getting restless. There is a lot of talent there, more than a lot of other teams, but it seems to fit like a square peg in the round hole. New captain Andrew Ference was brought in to help mold this young group but they seem to have taken a step back. Dallas Eakins had a lot of ups and downs as a first year coach and GM Craig MacTavish will once again have a lottery pick and a number of assets to utilize to improve his roster. Ales Hemsky was already dealt to Ottawa so is this the beginning of (another) rebuild in Oil Country?
The Jets joined the western conference and turned things around, briefly, under new coach Paul Maurice after Claude Noel was fired mid-season, but ultimately came up short of a playoff spot. It will be interesting to see what Maurice can do with the group and what comes of his, seemingly, rocky relationship with star forward Evander Kane. The Jets have some young talent in the likes of Bryan Little and Mark Scheifele but may need to bring in some veteran presence to fit with Maurice's structured style.
In the nation's Capital the 'Pesky Sens' were at worst an annoyance, mostly to their fans, as they showed a consistent lack of consistency all year, especially in their own end. They went from being one of the best defensive teams in the league to one of the worst and while they didn't necessarily get the same level of goaltending they had last season, Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner still covered up a lot of mistakes by a very young defensive core. Erik Karlsson is a dynamic player, often for both teams and this superstar needs to correct his often careless play in his own end. On the plus side Sens fans can see they have a lot of young talent and those young players will continue to improve, ideally, but what is sorely missing is leadership. With the departure of Daniel Alfredsson and Sergi Gonchar Ottawa lost two players who held those young guys accountable and set an example on the ice. GM Bryan Murray may need to add some veteran presence to his locker room to help his young team.
In Toronto there was another collapse of Rob Ford proportions as the Leafs completely faltered down the stretch and will, yet again, miss the post season. They have high end talent and can score goals but this team is as bad in their own any as a pewee squad. They have more turnovers most nights than a bakery and Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer should be given a percentage on their defensemen's contracts for having to do their job as well. This lack of attention to detail has to have driven coach Randy Carlyle nuts especially as a former Norris wining defensman. The had part for the Leafs moving forward however, may be cap issues. With the likes of Kessel, Bozak, Phaneuf and Clarksson signed to hefty long term contracts there won't be a lot to go around when free agency hits so Dave Bolland and others may be on their way out. The improvement in play by young Morgan Reily and Jake Gardiner has to be one bright spot but once again there are more questions than answers in Leaf land.
The Habs have a decent opportunity to make a run in the east with new addition Tomas Vanek fitting in rather nicely with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais on their top line. Carey Price has a lot to prove going into the playoffs, despite his spectacular play in the Olympics as he's yet to have any real success come April.
Elsewhere in Canada there's nothing left to do but ask questions. And they abound...
In Vancouver the ax has already fallen on GM Mike Gillis who made several moves with his goaltending that can only be described as bizarre. At this point last year they Canucks had two prove number 1 NHL caliber goalies, now...? The always entertaining John Tortorella is still in place behind the bench, for now, but it will be up to Canucks legend and new President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden to decide his fate. One thing is for sure, we'll get Tort's opinion either way.
In Calgary the Flames continue to rebuild and President of Hockey Operations/Psuedo GM Brian Burke has decision to make on several fronts, aside from whatever that is on his head, including what to do with Mike Cammalleri. He's a proven goal scorer and played reasonably well this season but may command a higher price on the market than the Flames are willing to pay. Rookie Sean Monahan was a nice surprise for the franchise and they have young talent and a solid leader in Mark Giordano so they have pieces in place moving ahead.
In Edmonton, it's a case of deja vu all over again. How many years and high draft picks will it take to turn this organization around? Without a playoff birth since their Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2006 the faithful are getting restless. There is a lot of talent there, more than a lot of other teams, but it seems to fit like a square peg in the round hole. New captain Andrew Ference was brought in to help mold this young group but they seem to have taken a step back. Dallas Eakins had a lot of ups and downs as a first year coach and GM Craig MacTavish will once again have a lottery pick and a number of assets to utilize to improve his roster. Ales Hemsky was already dealt to Ottawa so is this the beginning of (another) rebuild in Oil Country?
The Jets joined the western conference and turned things around, briefly, under new coach Paul Maurice after Claude Noel was fired mid-season, but ultimately came up short of a playoff spot. It will be interesting to see what Maurice can do with the group and what comes of his, seemingly, rocky relationship with star forward Evander Kane. The Jets have some young talent in the likes of Bryan Little and Mark Scheifele but may need to bring in some veteran presence to fit with Maurice's structured style.
In the nation's Capital the 'Pesky Sens' were at worst an annoyance, mostly to their fans, as they showed a consistent lack of consistency all year, especially in their own end. They went from being one of the best defensive teams in the league to one of the worst and while they didn't necessarily get the same level of goaltending they had last season, Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner still covered up a lot of mistakes by a very young defensive core. Erik Karlsson is a dynamic player, often for both teams and this superstar needs to correct his often careless play in his own end. On the plus side Sens fans can see they have a lot of young talent and those young players will continue to improve, ideally, but what is sorely missing is leadership. With the departure of Daniel Alfredsson and Sergi Gonchar Ottawa lost two players who held those young guys accountable and set an example on the ice. GM Bryan Murray may need to add some veteran presence to his locker room to help his young team.
In Toronto there was another collapse of Rob Ford proportions as the Leafs completely faltered down the stretch and will, yet again, miss the post season. They have high end talent and can score goals but this team is as bad in their own any as a pewee squad. They have more turnovers most nights than a bakery and Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer should be given a percentage on their defensemen's contracts for having to do their job as well. This lack of attention to detail has to have driven coach Randy Carlyle nuts especially as a former Norris wining defensman. The had part for the Leafs moving forward however, may be cap issues. With the likes of Kessel, Bozak, Phaneuf and Clarksson signed to hefty long term contracts there won't be a lot to go around when free agency hits so Dave Bolland and others may be on their way out. The improvement in play by young Morgan Reily and Jake Gardiner has to be one bright spot but once again there are more questions than answers in Leaf land.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Flying the Coop
The Philadelphia Flyers are one of the longest tenured organizations in the NHL. They have rich history of success and don't sit around waiting when expectations aren't met. Clearly. This lead to the firing of head coach Peter Laviolette a mere three games into the NHL season. The Flyers revamped in the off season bringing in talented veterans Vincent Lecavalier and Mark Streit to help improve upon a very disappointing 2013 season. Well, an 0-3 start, goaltending issues and a complete lack of goal scoring and, you get the idea.
Peter Laviolette is a good head coach. He won a cup in Carolina in 2006 and lead the Flyers to the finals in 2010 where they lost to the Blackhawks. That said, something clearly isn't right with this organization and the writing seemed to be on the wall. A quick look at their roster and even the most casual fan would realize that they should be a much more competitive team. Injuries played a big role in last season's struggles but they are now healthy and have the talent to be a force in the Eastern Conference, or at the very least not the doormat they've become.
The top lines have talent like captain Claude Giroux, a better than point a game player over the last few seasons, Maxim Talbot, Jakob Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier, Scott Hartnell and the aforementioned Lecavalier, so why haven't they been able to generate offense? Through three games they've scored a paltry three goals. Guys living in their grandma's basements have less trouble closing the deal. With their roster and high priced talent something had to give and as is usually the case it's the guy steering the ship.
Assistant coach Craig Berube was given the reins as new bench boss and it will be up to him to get things moving in a more positive direction, quickly I'd imagine. Ed Snyder was prickly with the media when asked about why they didn't go outside the organization, as the Flyers like the Edmonton Oilers have a long history of keeping things in house ie: Ron Hextall, John Paddock, Bobby Clarke, etc. when it comes to staffing positions. Nepotism aside it seems the time had come for chance and as Berube told Hockey Central at Noon they need to start working better together as a team in order to have success. He reiterated that the overall team game wasn't good enough and that's where their biggest problems lie. Time will tell if they are able to correct this or if it will be the roster that is shuffled in order to accomplish this. The press conference with GM Paul Holmgren was that of a frustrated and disappointed group who seemed to be looking for answers they didn't have. The Flyers have been successful and should be with this lineup so it's understandable that management wasn't happy with the way things were going.
Whatever the case, you know the fans in Philly want to see evidence of progress, and soon. For a city know as that of 'Brotherly Love' they seem to have no problem showing people the way out of town.
Peter Laviolette is a good head coach. He won a cup in Carolina in 2006 and lead the Flyers to the finals in 2010 where they lost to the Blackhawks. That said, something clearly isn't right with this organization and the writing seemed to be on the wall. A quick look at their roster and even the most casual fan would realize that they should be a much more competitive team. Injuries played a big role in last season's struggles but they are now healthy and have the talent to be a force in the Eastern Conference, or at the very least not the doormat they've become.
The top lines have talent like captain Claude Giroux, a better than point a game player over the last few seasons, Maxim Talbot, Jakob Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier, Scott Hartnell and the aforementioned Lecavalier, so why haven't they been able to generate offense? Through three games they've scored a paltry three goals. Guys living in their grandma's basements have less trouble closing the deal. With their roster and high priced talent something had to give and as is usually the case it's the guy steering the ship.
Assistant coach Craig Berube was given the reins as new bench boss and it will be up to him to get things moving in a more positive direction, quickly I'd imagine. Ed Snyder was prickly with the media when asked about why they didn't go outside the organization, as the Flyers like the Edmonton Oilers have a long history of keeping things in house ie: Ron Hextall, John Paddock, Bobby Clarke, etc. when it comes to staffing positions. Nepotism aside it seems the time had come for chance and as Berube told Hockey Central at Noon they need to start working better together as a team in order to have success. He reiterated that the overall team game wasn't good enough and that's where their biggest problems lie. Time will tell if they are able to correct this or if it will be the roster that is shuffled in order to accomplish this. The press conference with GM Paul Holmgren was that of a frustrated and disappointed group who seemed to be looking for answers they didn't have. The Flyers have been successful and should be with this lineup so it's understandable that management wasn't happy with the way things were going.
Whatever the case, you know the fans in Philly want to see evidence of progress, and soon. For a city know as that of 'Brotherly Love' they seem to have no problem showing people the way out of town.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Alfred-Gone: The Daniel Alfredsson Saga
For the past many years there were several things you could count on in Ottawa come the winter. Bickering on Parliament Hill, Beaver Tails on the canal and Dainel Alfredsson leading the Sens into another season. He was their steadying presence, the undisputed leader looked to in big moments and high pressure situations to do something special. I'll never forget that afternoon when he beat Ryan Miller with a quick shot and sent Ottawa to the Stanley Cup finals. I remember walking downtown later that afternoon and evening and the whole city seemed to be in a buzz, (and a little buzzed), a constant commotion of victorious shouts and car horns echoing in celebration. The All star game in Ottawa a few years ago seemed almost dedicated to him as fans chanted his name and sang his praises. The eleven minute marks of every period during home games was met with chants of 'Alfie, Alfie, Alfie!' He was always gracious and took it all in. This love affair seemed destined to go on for ever. He was even expected to join the management team once he hung up his skates. After seeing several key players go down with injury last season Alfie lead the charge as the Sens defied the odds and made the playoffs. They even knocked off the Canadiens and though they bowed out to a powerful Pittsburgh team, fans were excited to see this young club on the rise. They felt they were on the cusp of something special and if Alife could just come back for one more year, with a healthy roster, who knows how far they could go?
Then the announcement came. Alfie would be coming back for one more year! Like man family, friends and fans I took to Facebook and Twitter to express my excitement and was glad for the status quo. The team is young and a leader like that doesn't come along everyday. This was great news for the organization and would surely help the development of the franchise moving forward. It was also a foregone conclusion that when he came back, he'd be in a Sens jersey. Right? Then came another day I won't soon forget. I slept in and woke to hear the news that Daniel Alfredsson would indeed be returning to the NHL. For the Detroit Red Wings. Wait. What? How the hell could this have happened? When did this happen? And who let it? To make matters worse, Detroit, in what seems like some sort of karmic joke, was now in the same division which meant he was now a direct enemy. Et Tu Alfie?
Now, as someone chasing his own crazy dream of becoming a screenwriter I can hardly criticize someone for following their heart, (or perhaps their misguided agent), and doing what they feel is best for them. Alfie even said, in a statement it was a selfish decision, one he made for himself to try and win a Stanley Cup. It would seem unfair and irrational to hate someone for this, but then what part of of being a fan is rational? As Alfie had every right to do what is best for him it is a fans right to be angry. To feel spurned and hurt by his actions. His decision was clearly an indication he didn't feel that this team had what it takes to go all the way so he went looking for someone who did. He found it in Detroit, along with many of his Swedish buddies, and time will tell how this will play out. Many seem to forget Detroit also acquire free agent Stephen Weiss from Florida, a solid player in his own right, and probably should have knocked off Chicago before choking up a 3-1 series lead last year, so logic would say this is the better option, at least for this season, as much as it pains me to admit that.
However, this is a double edged sword. True, if not for the play and veteran leadership of Alfredsson and Sergi Gonchar, now with Dallas, the Sens likely would not have made the playoffs last season, but now this young and very hungry group has even more motivation to take that next step. A chip on one's shoulder can serve to distract or to motivate and it's up to new captain Jason Spezza, and his leaders, like Chis Phillips and Chris Neil, along with Coach Paul MacLean and his staff to ensure that they keep focused on the task at hand. However, the loss of Daniel Alfredsson only serves to remind Sens fans of mistakes past.
This is an organization that has lost the like of Zedeno Chara, Wade Redden (say what you like, at the time they could have got a pretty penny in return) and now it's most storied player, all for the grand total of: zero. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Not a draft pick, not a player to be named later, not even so much as a bag of pucks. The pain caused to the young kid left in tears because he doesn't quite grasp the business aspects of the sport, only that his favorite player is gone and seemingly hates the team will eventually heal, but losing this kind of talent for nothing can damage a franchise for years. In life how we go about conducting ourselves is paramount to the reputation we have, and how this went down has, rightfully, left many in Ottawa with a bitter taste in their mouth.
In fairness, Alfredsson expressed that it was only in the few days leading up to his decision that it even crossed his mind to leave. And while I don't doubt this was the case, why all of a sudden? Why now? Many say his agent JP Berry had a lot to do with this, as money clearly didn't seem to be the issue. No one seemed more surprised than Sens GM Bryan Murray who like the rest of us, assumed it would get done. Owner Eugene Melnyk was livid and though many blame him, I don't really understand that as Alfie would have gotten his money regardless. It's the fact that the organization could have got something in return. Anything. Why not ask at the trade deadline or before your contract expired to be moved? This organization was more than fair to you, why bull this stunt now? Yes you played last year for less than your value, because you made all your money up front, AND the Sens were certainly going to make you well paid again this season. Had he been honest and upfront about all this it would have cushioned the blow and people would have been grateful for what he had done. Think Roy Halliday in Toronto.
Perhaps we'll never know what all went on behind closed doors, and it's sad that a man who meant so much to this city hurt his own reputation in this way. I wish I could say I wish him luck, and though I certainly wish him no ill will, that's childish and petty, let's just say karma's a...
Then the announcement came. Alfie would be coming back for one more year! Like man family, friends and fans I took to Facebook and Twitter to express my excitement and was glad for the status quo. The team is young and a leader like that doesn't come along everyday. This was great news for the organization and would surely help the development of the franchise moving forward. It was also a foregone conclusion that when he came back, he'd be in a Sens jersey. Right? Then came another day I won't soon forget. I slept in and woke to hear the news that Daniel Alfredsson would indeed be returning to the NHL. For the Detroit Red Wings. Wait. What? How the hell could this have happened? When did this happen? And who let it? To make matters worse, Detroit, in what seems like some sort of karmic joke, was now in the same division which meant he was now a direct enemy. Et Tu Alfie?
Now, as someone chasing his own crazy dream of becoming a screenwriter I can hardly criticize someone for following their heart, (or perhaps their misguided agent), and doing what they feel is best for them. Alfie even said, in a statement it was a selfish decision, one he made for himself to try and win a Stanley Cup. It would seem unfair and irrational to hate someone for this, but then what part of of being a fan is rational? As Alfie had every right to do what is best for him it is a fans right to be angry. To feel spurned and hurt by his actions. His decision was clearly an indication he didn't feel that this team had what it takes to go all the way so he went looking for someone who did. He found it in Detroit, along with many of his Swedish buddies, and time will tell how this will play out. Many seem to forget Detroit also acquire free agent Stephen Weiss from Florida, a solid player in his own right, and probably should have knocked off Chicago before choking up a 3-1 series lead last year, so logic would say this is the better option, at least for this season, as much as it pains me to admit that.
However, this is a double edged sword. True, if not for the play and veteran leadership of Alfredsson and Sergi Gonchar, now with Dallas, the Sens likely would not have made the playoffs last season, but now this young and very hungry group has even more motivation to take that next step. A chip on one's shoulder can serve to distract or to motivate and it's up to new captain Jason Spezza, and his leaders, like Chis Phillips and Chris Neil, along with Coach Paul MacLean and his staff to ensure that they keep focused on the task at hand. However, the loss of Daniel Alfredsson only serves to remind Sens fans of mistakes past.
This is an organization that has lost the like of Zedeno Chara, Wade Redden (say what you like, at the time they could have got a pretty penny in return) and now it's most storied player, all for the grand total of: zero. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Not a draft pick, not a player to be named later, not even so much as a bag of pucks. The pain caused to the young kid left in tears because he doesn't quite grasp the business aspects of the sport, only that his favorite player is gone and seemingly hates the team will eventually heal, but losing this kind of talent for nothing can damage a franchise for years. In life how we go about conducting ourselves is paramount to the reputation we have, and how this went down has, rightfully, left many in Ottawa with a bitter taste in their mouth.
In fairness, Alfredsson expressed that it was only in the few days leading up to his decision that it even crossed his mind to leave. And while I don't doubt this was the case, why all of a sudden? Why now? Many say his agent JP Berry had a lot to do with this, as money clearly didn't seem to be the issue. No one seemed more surprised than Sens GM Bryan Murray who like the rest of us, assumed it would get done. Owner Eugene Melnyk was livid and though many blame him, I don't really understand that as Alfie would have gotten his money regardless. It's the fact that the organization could have got something in return. Anything. Why not ask at the trade deadline or before your contract expired to be moved? This organization was more than fair to you, why bull this stunt now? Yes you played last year for less than your value, because you made all your money up front, AND the Sens were certainly going to make you well paid again this season. Had he been honest and upfront about all this it would have cushioned the blow and people would have been grateful for what he had done. Think Roy Halliday in Toronto.
Perhaps we'll never know what all went on behind closed doors, and it's sad that a man who meant so much to this city hurt his own reputation in this way. I wish I could say I wish him luck, and though I certainly wish him no ill will, that's childish and petty, let's just say karma's a...
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