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Meds wrote:No, I don't. I just mean that their names will be the subject of much debate and their leash will be very short next year if they completely disappear when the game is on the line.
...Regardless, this year the Sedin's need to prove that they can either break through the pressure and produce points against defensive systems that have prepped themselves specifically to shutdown the twins, or they need to show that they can evolve their game and play something other than "sit and wait on the wall" hockey.
Thanks for clearing it up, and that's a fair assumption. I agree that twins have something to prove when it comes to matching up against tough defensive teams.
Meds wrote:What I find odd is that he brought in a player that would have perfectly complimented Hodgson's skill set.....but he gave up Hodgson to do it. It does make me more curious as to how Schroeder, who is supposed to be a speedy playmaker, is developing with the Wolves.
I'm too lazy to look it up, but a couple weeks ago Mac-T raved about Schroeder's development, and Gillis was talking him up quite a bit when there was some talk he might get a call-up.
Reports out of Chicago suggest Schroeder has greatly improved his two-way game, has increased the consistency of his game-to-game effort level, and has started putting up points after a tough start.
With his speed and 2-way ability, Schroeder seems to be a better fit on the 3rd line moving forward than Hodgson. Schroeder was a highly ranked prospect in his draft year, but the knock on him was being a more assertive player with a more consistent effort level which scared a lot of teams off. His hockey sense, pure ability, speed, dynamic quickness and potential 2-way ability was never questioned.
He's still undersized and has a ways to go, but if his development goes according to plan, he may be a solid player for us.
Meds wrote:When the Sedin's are standing still on the PP, not moving their feet, waiting for something to "just happen", not going to the net, generating absolutely nothing, and in general just wasting PP time, the second unit needs to come out over the boards alot sooner than 1:15 into the man-advantage. Also, a coach who doesn't recognize when a guy like Rome needs to sit out for a while needs to be be picked up by the neck and given a good shaking. I was encouraged to hear that Raymond has at least been moved back to the 4th line.
AV certainly has his warts, and like everyone else, he makes he scratch my head from time to time.
But a coach is ultimately judged on how individual players perform, their focus/effort, and overall team performance in the regular season and the playoffs. AV consistently gets the best out his players and every main member of this team has either developed under AV or have come in and elevated their game and have had career years.
Yes there's no cup, but he gets the team to the 2nd round at the very least and they had quite the run last season, plus multiple Division titles, and a President's trophy.
I think those factors far outweigh any reservations I have with his coaching.
