As far as pressers are concerned I really enjoyed this one. Nothing earth shattering but it’s always exciting to hear a new perspective and vision for the team moving forward. One thing is certain is that we have high quality individuals in the GM and head coach chairs (and that’s not to say Tre or Darryl were not those types of people as I really like both of them).
A few things that stood out for me both good and bad about the team moving forward.
Positive:
1. Huska is very humble and understands the honour that’s been given to him. I think he will be more flexible in adapting and understands the relationships needed with players to succeed. It’s cool to see someone living their dream and he’s certainly paid his dues.
2. Communication - he seems like a guy who will be firm but will also lay down expectations. Shouldn’t be any ambiguity as to why someone isn’t playing or getting ice time.
3. Defence approach. I know some people will disagree and say offence is what this group needs but I like hearing the attention to detail in our own end first. We gave up way too many opportunities last year and by cleaning this up will allow the team to stop chasing. Also, he didn’t say no to offensive creativity and in fact encourages players to have that as part of their game.
4. Student of the game - he’s had an opportunity to learn from some pretty impressive coaches including Darryl Sutter. Now I’m sure he won’t be mimicking his communication style but having learned from one of the best of all time is certainly an advantage. Darryl is a multi cup champion and Jack Adams winner who is labelled as one of the best thinkers in the game. His knowledge and expertise, along with the other coaches who have served here should be invaluable experience.
What I didn’t like from the presser was the following:
1. Just make the playoffs. Personally goals should be higher than this but I get it. Anything can happen when you get in and Darryl said the same types of things. The 04 team and LA King championships are prime examples of this so I can live with these types of statements.
2. Player Input - seems like Conroy spent a lot of time starting with Huberdeau and then Lindholm to get their input on the coach. I don’t like the type of control this group seems to have especially with how things ended last year and multiple people saying they wouldn’t come back if Darryl was around. Sure their input is necessary but I wouldn’t necessarily cater to their demands. Players play, coaches coach and management makes personnel decisions.
3. Roster - the organization firmly believes that this group can achieve more (and probably not wrong) but they just don’t seem like they have that drive. The effort that Kadri put forth towards the end of the season was pathetic and I don’t know how you win with these types of players. Backlund requesting a trade and Huberdeau being miserable for most of last year makes me question the character of this group. You look at what Tkachuk has done in Florida and I don’t see anyone on the roster as passionate about winning as him. Yes, it sucks that he wanted out but I’ll reiterate that I don’t see that passion to win at all costs.
I really hope Conroy makes some bold moves but it seems that they are adamant about locking some of these guys up and rolling the dice on this team again. I don’t share this philosophy but I guess we’ll see how it all plays out.
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