Overperforming Rookies vs Underperforming Stars

[PantherExtreme]

Actually no i havent caught much, i had the joy of watching the oilers last night despite having game center. Should see tomorrows game and can get a better look at the rookies.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by toquester

True, but it does begin to demonstrate what the team is capable of under the right circumstances. Complacency had set in, standards were lowered, and excuses have been made for poor performances. The Flames culture has been complacent for some time.

I do expect a measure of complacency to creep in, but nothing like what we have endured here for years. And if management cannot keep the ball rolling to an acceptable level, then perhaps they need to go next.

Lousy teams do this every single year. It literally means nothing and is probably more destructive then helpful. The Leafs were notorious for this exact same thing. Play themselves out of a playoff spot, then start to win to close out the season, give their fans false hope and end up with a crappy draft pick. Rinse and repeat for 3-4 years.

[Steve Bozek]

Several problems with trying to translate the rookies' good performance after the team has missed the playoffs:
1. the "young guns" may not be capable of doing this for an 82 game schedule
2. they're playing against opponents who may be underestimating the intensity of the AHLers they're facing
3. they're playing against opponents who have made the playoffs, and are a little complacent. The opponent might not see any advantage in winning - it might change their playoff position to a less favourable opponent - or they might be resting veterans, or trying new plays, line combinations, etc.

[toquester]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

Several problems with trying to translate the rookies' good performance after the team has missed the playoffs:
1. the "young guns" may not be capable of doing this for an 82 game schedule
2. they're playing against opponents who may be underestimating the intensity of the AHLers they're facing
3. they're playing against opponents who have made the playoffs, and are a little complacent. The opponent might not see any advantage in winning - it might change their playoff position to a less favourable opponent - or they might be resting veterans, or trying new plays, line combinations, etc.

1. They are more likely to keep this performance up if they continue to be held accountable. There are no guarantees, but accountability motivates.
2. Or opponents who are accustomed to playing a Flames team that folds up in the latter stages of games.
3. If I am coaching a playoff bound team, and sense that they are complacent, I would be concerned indeed. And I hardly think the Wings were complacent.