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Colorado Avalanche Blogger •
The Avs lost their 5th straight game and I think everyone has come to terms that things need to change. In my eyes there has to be a new system, and fresh new outlook from behind the bench.
I understand that the goaltending over the past two weeks has been up and down, all the way from one spectrum where Budaj was part of the NHL’s star of the week trio to Raycroft having one of the worst performances I have seen in the NHL in a long time.
I was able to see the player’s faces after the loss in Chicago, and there was nothing but discouragement portrayed. Last night the changes in the line-up due to injury were not the answer and will not be the answer. There needs to be a fresh new vision from behind the bench.
I look at it this way, Joe Sakic has the potential to miss games, as he did yesterday, which leaves a big void in center ice for the second line. I am a believer in Tyler Arnason to be that second line center, but no one will ever see what he can really do if he keeps playing third to fourth line minutes. I understand he is the third line center and that’s fine if things are rolling with the top two lines with no injuries. I don’t feel Hensick is ready, right now, to be that second line center. If consistent injuries occur to Sakic, Arnason should be the second line center, give him the minutes, if he can’t produce and plays poorly then look for the other options (trade). Hensick should be the third line center so he gets a feel of the NHL, he still need the experience and should play about 11-12 minutes a game. The top line hasn’t produced as well, and obviously they are feeling the pressure, they are playing with a tight grip and this will happen from time to time so it’s the other players that need to pick up their game, but it’s also the coach’s job to motivate the second and third liners to step up. This has been unsuccessful.
The bottom line is, the team on paper looks good but is struggling and during this losing stretch they haven’t improved every game that’s a huge concern. I can only think that Coach Granato is on a very short leash and I don’t see him being there much longer if things continue this way
Next up the Preds on Saturday
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chopper
choppershouse@gmail.com
I understand that the goaltending over the past two weeks has been up and down, all the way from one spectrum where Budaj was part of the NHL’s star of the week trio to Raycroft having one of the worst performances I have seen in the NHL in a long time.
I was able to see the player’s faces after the loss in Chicago, and there was nothing but discouragement portrayed. Last night the changes in the line-up due to injury were not the answer and will not be the answer. There needs to be a fresh new vision from behind the bench.
I look at it this way, Joe Sakic has the potential to miss games, as he did yesterday, which leaves a big void in center ice for the second line. I am a believer in Tyler Arnason to be that second line center, but no one will ever see what he can really do if he keeps playing third to fourth line minutes. I understand he is the third line center and that’s fine if things are rolling with the top two lines with no injuries. I don’t feel Hensick is ready, right now, to be that second line center. If consistent injuries occur to Sakic, Arnason should be the second line center, give him the minutes, if he can’t produce and plays poorly then look for the other options (trade). Hensick should be the third line center so he gets a feel of the NHL, he still need the experience and should play about 11-12 minutes a game. The top line hasn’t produced as well, and obviously they are feeling the pressure, they are playing with a tight grip and this will happen from time to time so it’s the other players that need to pick up their game, but it’s also the coach’s job to motivate the second and third liners to step up. This has been unsuccessful.
The bottom line is, the team on paper looks good but is struggling and during this losing stretch they haven’t improved every game that’s a huge concern. I can only think that Coach Granato is on a very short leash and I don’t see him being there much longer if things continue this way
Next up the Preds on Saturday
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chopper
choppershouse@gmail.com
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