Yadda, Yadda, Yadda
The Ducks are back in action tonight after the Christmas break. No one is pleased with the opening 40% of Anaheim's season (with the exception of Kings fans). Finally, we got words of urgency from the team's management.
First coach Bruce Boudreau let his frustrations regarding his team's propensity to turn the puck over.
“The mistakes we’re making, this is the NHL, this isn’t the Junior B at 14 years old when you expect that,“ he told NHL.com. This is the National Hockey League. Those guys gotta make better plays coming out of our zone.…
He was referring to the turnovers made in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers. Unfortunately, the problem has been present for some time on Boudreau's watch. Last year, the Ducks got away with those mistakes, but it has caught up with them. The coach doesn't turn over the puck, but that is something that should be handled through coaching. Practice is the first thing that comes to mind when correcting mistakes. In Junior B, coaches fix flaws in fundamentals in practice. Sitting players for a shift, a period or even a game are also appropriate ways to deal with turnovers.
If Boudreau is going to make a comment like that, he should have thought it through a bit further.
Wednesday his boss addressed the team's poor play. Ducks GM Bob Murray called out his veterans when he told the media, “who decided training for this season was optional, thus a poor start.… It's disheartening to think after coming so close to the Stanley Cup last season, some players mailed it in during the off-season. That is unprofessional.
Murray also looked at himself and his staff for his team's poor start. He said, “we take responsibility for that as a management group.…
There is plenty of talk from the brass, but where is the action? As far as we know, the coach hasn't benched anyone or held long practices. If he thinks his players are making basic mistakes, it should have been addressed by now. What has been done is shuffling lines. It isn't working.
The GM hasn't traded or demoted anyone. The highest profile player to be sent to San Diego is Tim Jackman. That wasn't a message move, he was sent down because his talent level isn't as high as the other 13 forwards on the roster.
If the Ducks need an infusion of talent, there are plenty of good young players available across the league. How about a move for Ryan Johansson? Dustin Byfuglien maybe? If Murray could get Kesler from Vancouver, can he pull off another intra-divisional deal for Jordan Eberle?
Bottom line, there has been talk the past week, but no action. Philadelphia @ Ducks
Six points out of a guaranteed playoff spot, the Ducks need a win tonight. No starting goalie has been named yet. John Gibson has played better than Frederick Andersen, so he is most likely the choice. Philly is a physical team. The Ducks will likely counter with some toughness of their own. On Defense the group remains the same as it has been recently (not including a Holzer cameo), and should stay that way until Simon Despres returns from his concussion. Chris Stewart likely returns from a one game exile which probably puts Mike Santorelli in the press box. Here is the expected lineup:
Forwards Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry Hagelin-Kesler-Silfverberg Sekac-Horcoff-Stewart Maroon-Thompson-Cogliano
Defense Fowler-Bieksa Lindholm-Manson Stoner-Vatanen
Goalies Gibson Andersen
-Ed