Quote:
Originally Posted by Gord_Wappel
This team has some major issues and in my opinion will be lucky to make the playoffs in the 4th slot. Valimaki has been poor all season in my opinion and needs to watch a couple games in the pressbox. His partner Nesterov hasnt been great either. Brutal pinch today and seems to always be drifting up suicide passes to the forwards. Gio is becoming Brent Seabrook faster then i thought. I was never a believer that he was an elite talent but more a crazy hard worker who gave 110% all the time but never had any extra gear to go in the playoffs when things ramped up. I would get in Kylington for a few games and maybe even give Mackey a game or two.
Up front i think alot of our best forwards have been fine but not spectacular- Johnny, Monahan. Tkachuk, Mang, and Lindholm but the team really misses Dube and the way he plays with pace and is hard on the forecheck. It allows everyone to slot in better and keeps one of the 4th liners in the pressbox where they belong and balances the lines a bit better.
Agree with what alot of people are saying though. this team is hard to watch. Similar to the Gulutzan versions. As much as the Hartley teams played with very little structure and were far less talented at least every game was entertaining to watch. this team simply isnt. They are not dynamic and skilled and fun to watch, not physical, just boring, uninspired hockey. I would love to see some younger guys that are hungry get in some games and push the pace win or lose to maybe get some the rest of the team playing with some passion.
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Players often look like crap when they are deployed improperly. Every person on CP has seen Valimaki have a rough start. So what does Ward do? After he takes a penalty and causes a goal Ward puts him out there with Nesterov to kill the next penalty. That's not "trusting your guys" , that's sending someone to the wolves.
Lucic was brutal in games 2 and 3. And despite his goal was not good in Toronto. Still Ward kept pushing him out there and forcing it.
Starting Rittich tonight was downright stupid, and not fair to give him the hot Habs as his first game.
Ward has no clue how to use his players. He has one system and can't adjust - see stupid PP with one entry.
Good coaches are prepared to play the Flames and know exactly what to expect.
Anyone who's had a bad boss knows how demotivating it is. That is exactly what I see with this team. Not a single good coach brought in. What does that say to the players.