Quote:
Originally Posted by gvitaly
It looks like a pretty even start split to me, at least against the top 10 teams in the NHL:
Code:
Opponent Wolf Vladar
WSH 1 1
WPG 2 1
DAL 1 1
CAR 1 1
VGK 0 2
COL 2 0
FLA 1 1
TBL 1 1
TOR 2 0
EDM 0 2
|
I think what you will find is the timing of those starts. In the first half of the season, Vladar was taking the harder starts.
To open the season, Vladar gets the opener on the road against the Canucks while Wolf gets the home opener against the Flyers. Vladar gets the road game against the Oilers and Wolf gets the home game against the Blackhawks. Wolf gets the Pens, Vladar gets the Canes. Vladar gets Vegas and Wolf gets UHC.
Then we get a home stand were Vladar gets both the Devils and the Oilers followed by Wolf getting the Canadiens and Bruins on the road. Wolf gets the home stand against NYI and NYR, Vladar gets the Wild.
It is interesting to look at but you can definintely see the trend where Wolf is getting the softer starts at the start of the season with the consideration being first opponent and then trying to give him home games. The coaches were definitely looking to give Wolf the best chances to win games and build confidence (which meant Vladar was taking the tougher games).
My feeling is that this went on until the end of January and then we see Wolf getting the Caps game at home. Then even more so with Wolf getting the Leafs, Avs, and Kraken in that home stand in Feb is probably where the kid gloves came off. These were all still home games, but they were home games against tough opponents.
So, I think Vladar has done a good job this season. Sure, his stats could be better but I am not convinced that is a fair assessment considering the starts he was given and the team playing in front of him. He often got the traveling team and/or a tired team on a back to back.
In the end, if Vladar and Wolf have a good relationship then I would probably offer Vladar a contract to stay another season with a bit of a raise to help Wolf through the sophmore season.