http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/hockey-c...so-first-half/
Full summary:
Overall evaluation
looking back on first half - inconsistent
slow start and then there was better play in December - some encouraging things but things we also need to work on
Have higher expectations been an issue?
thought we improved the team over the summer
expected some organic growth from last year
there was expectation that they were going to be better at the start
however development of a team is not a straight line
on most nights we still rely on very young players - not an excuse just a fact
follow the ebb and flow of some of those younger players
still building this team, in some cases in a transition period
What were the internal expectations?
we expect to be a playoff team - that is a minimum expectation
wanted to be a team that dictated style and pace of the game more than we have done so in the past - i.e. being hold on to pucks, being able to generate more offense throughout the lineup (not just one line)
on Ramo:
when we sent Ramo down it wasn't punishment, it was to get him going but turned out to be a short stay
been on a role since he came back
lets face it - at beginning of year lots of pucks were going into our net
both goaltenders would say that they needed to play a little better but the chances, the rate we were giving up and the type was a big problem
our 3rd 10 game segment our goaltending was top 5 in the league in terms of save %, 5 on 5 save % and special teams save %
it correlates, you get saves, you defend better, you start winning more games
on TJ Brodie:
the game has really shifted his way, the mobility - 5 on 5, skating
thinks he is becoming an elite defenceman throughout the league
very few things he can't do at a very high level
very difficult to replace top players when they are injured
obviously felt void when TJ was out, record is reflective of how important he is when he returned for us
Granlund:
really intelligent player
been stuck inbetween the AHL and NHL
why? when in Stockton he is #1 center, here he is playing limited limits
on this recall he has been playing a more offensive role
quality of competition has been higher - not playing against 3rd or 4th liners anymore
has done well but challenge is effort level needs to be consistent
faceoffs have been slowly improving - Conroy working with him on that
how is he looking at the rest of the season:
been a while since it was this clustered for everyone
this is still a long view approach
really important there is no appetite for short term fixes
continue to look how we build this long term
special teams just haven't been good enough
positive signs: last 10 game segement generated chances on the PP 2nd in the NHL. thinks they are at 46 right now. conversion rate isn't good
positive signs: penalty differential is +20. averaging 1.4 penalties against per game
special teams, keeping pucks out of the net, generating more offense and disicipline that are going to be areas that we need to improve upon to be a playoff team
trade deadline approach?
if there is ways to help team on a cost and philosphical basis that makes sense then absolutely that is the goal
spending young assets - throwing out picks and prospects for things that help you out for 15-20 games we have no appetite for
some internal decisions need to be made on our guys that need contracts
will there be a time/threshold where he will chase rental players?
absolutely. depends on where you are in a team's growth cycle.
doesn't mean we aren't looking for ways to help us short term - but the cost needs to make sense
if there is a deal that helps you for now you do it , but it won't be to the detriment of building organization
what can you tell us about how you are approaching the pending UFA?
will be in touch with the players and their reps just get a sense of where we are at and where they are at
we do our business behind closed doors
there have been situations where are players are kept past the deadline and signed in the summer
on the Cammalleri non-trade:
Brian and I talked a lot about Cammy's situation - I support it fully
in a lot of ways he was setting the table for the next manager - here is our price and if we don't get our price, we are not pedelling for the sake of pedelling
probably set up a better chance of re-signing Mike
each situation is unique and different
that being said only so many chips at the card table - need to replenishing the cupboards
on Sam Bennett's 4 goal process:
he is a special young guy
lot said about his drought
wasn't concerned about Sam at all - last thing he was worried about was Bennett every night
seeing him rewarded was good