[quote=Nucker101]
dammit man, I was just about to post that

[quote=Nucker101]
holy poop who was that?

holy poop who was that?
- dt99999

nhlwussybeater or something like that, in the Leafs thread.

Nucker101 agrees with him.

nhlwussybeater or something like that, in the Leafs thread.

Nucker101 agrees with him.
- Feeling Glucky?

DoctorNHL!!!!!!!!!!

With the firing of Joe Sacco the avalanche have finally left behind an era of poor coaching and can hopefully move forward, develope a new system, and give our young players some confidence. Sacco overall had a poor showing in his few years of coaching. He appeared to suffocate any offensive creativity with fundamental play and never adjusted to the players available to him skill set.

The question is: Who do the Avalanche hire next as head coach?

One option that has been thrown around frequently is having former avalanche great Patrick Roy take the helm. I would be a proponent to this move for a number of reasons. For one, Roy brings a level of intensity due to his desire for perfection. He simply wants things to be done properly and will let you know if you have not and give guidance on what to do next time. Roy is also a good fit because of our young goaltender Varlamov needing that extra push. Varlamov has shown flashes of amazing goaltending and is very capable of stealing games. With a new system and one that in theory "a goaltender would like to run" Varlamov should do well.

Another option is former Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. I go to the University at Buffalo and have seen this man behind the bench for years. He truly is a professional and knows how to coach and develope players and is no stranger to running an exciting brand of hockey. The Avalanche are a much different team than the sabres and with the pieces we have in place (and are going to have in place after the draft) I see Lindy doing good things with this squad.

Guy Boucher is another name that fellow spectulists have brought up so far. Boucher brings extreme intensity. With the young team we have maybe a little jolt is what they need. Boucher is a good coach and didn't succeed in Tampa for two reasons. One, the lightning aren't nearly as deep of a team as the Avalanche. Granted he had some stud players in Tampa but no real depth to the overall team. And two, it was hard for him to lead when some of the best players on that team are as old as he is.

Lastly, they could make a great PR move and make former Denver University head coach George Gwozdecky the man behind the bench. The people of Denver would love this move. He led Denver with an aggressive coaching style and got the most out of his players. Gwozdecky could really make an impact on our young players seeing as he has plenty of experience coaching 18-25 year olds.

While I would be happy with any of these guys behind the bench I am preferenced to Ruff. Maybe I am a little biased seeing as I live in Buffalo and have been watching Ruff coach for half of my life. Who do you guys want to see coaching the avalanche next year?

With the coaching question out of the way, how about who the avalanche select at this years draft with the number one overall pick. The front-running three have to be Seth Jones, Nathan Mackinnon, and Jonathan Drouin.

Seth Jones is the likely selection out of the three. It simply makes so much sense for the avs to draft him. The avalanche had arguably the worst d-core in the NHL this year. The only (semi) bright spot was Eric Johnson. And even at that Johnson still hasn't quite developed into the stud defenseman we were hoping for when we let stew and shatty ride off into the sunset.(Johnson is another player who could benefit greatly from the coaching change) Jones from all accounts is that franchise d-man. He is big(6'4), fast, had great skating, can quarterback a power play, and appears to always be doing the right thing on the ice. What makes this story greater is that he grew up and first learned to skate and play hockey in Denver. His father Popeye Jones(11 year NBA player) reached out to Avs legend Joe Sakic about how his son could improve. Sakic recommended skating lessons emphasizing the importance of speed and maneuverability. Jones did end up taking skating lessons and it shows in his game today. Another ironic aspect about Seth is that he had front row seats to game 7 of the Stanley cup finals in which the avalanche beat the devils. If the avs opt to go defenseman with the first overall pick no doubt Jones will be called.

While Jones makes nothing but sense there is still a very real possibility of drafting Nathan Mackinnon. Mackinnon possesses everything a true NHL number one center needs. He is fast, crafty, has great vision and a wild shot to boot. Mackinnon was projected as the number one prospect at the beginning of the season. However, after Jones stand out performance at WJHC Mackinnon was leap frogged. If the avalanche were to get Mackinnon who would be the odd man out? RoR...Stastny...both? The avs could pick up Mackinnon and trade staz and ROR for that much needed help on the defensive end. Lots would come into play if the avs were to pick Mac, that is certain.

Lastly, one of the most exciting players and game breakers I've seen in a long time, Jonathan Drouin. Drouin plays for Halifax along with Mackinnon. Drouin has shown amazing stick handling and deking ability. He simply turns guys inside out when he is at the top of his game. His hands are some of the best I have seen and he also does solid work defensively. This is another pick that could make sense seeing as we need a winger to play with Duchene and P.A. That line would have some serious speed and crazy offensive potential. Yikes.

My pick and I believe the general concensous has to be Seth Jones. He is the cornerstone D-man this team has lacked since the early Adam Foote days. He is NHL ready and can step in and immediately make a difference and hopefully give Varly a reliable crutch to lean on. While he is NHL ready it wouldn't be a bad idea to let him develope for a year. Defenseman usually take longer to develope but not when you are Seth Jones.

Also want to throw a quick shout out to former Avalanche writer Aaron Musick. Your time here at hockeybuzz has not only been a treat for myself but all avalanche fans. Your writings after each game were always thought provoking and interesting to read. Whenever I would watch an Avs game and see a huge mistake (which happened frequently over the past few years) I would be excited to read about it in Aarons "Facepalm of the Game". You are a great writer and I am excited to still partake in avs talk on twitter with you.
- goavsgo10

nhlwussybeater or something like that, in the Leafs thread.

Nucker101 agrees with him.
- Feeling Glucky?

Not exactly wrong.

Idiocy all on the officials two dodgy calls that wound up being powerplay goals - komorov not hearing a whistle and continuing play, and Phaneuf checking a guy with his stick first.

Meanwhile every time Leafs hemmed Boston in their end I saw 3000 penalties none called.

Can openers that dropped a guy became legal tonight especially in OT.

Boston is a better team than the young leafs but when they not only have to beat the Bruins but they have to beat the Refs and know that the front office will screw them.. the writing is on the wall.. and I can't say it was deserved.

In the first game Ference elbows Grabo right in front of the ref.. a 5 min major and a game before suspension might have just won us the first game.

All we want is fair games.. if you are going to call a tough game then it should be for both sides..

This series is built on BS.. hey Bettman we know Boston winning after the bombimg would be a good story... and that the Leafs with a full building even when they lose is not going to help much.

But loser team after loser team with no fans have won cups.. then original six teams that the fans stopped turning up for like Boston & Chicago then won cups.. when is it Canada's turn to get some help.

When is it that the franchise with the most love extra gets a bounce or two.. because the NHL has screwed us royally for decades, is it not bad enough we had Ballard for decades?

From what I have seen with calls both official and league wise, the Leafs will have to be ten times better than the second best team to win a series.. let alone a cup.

Bettman's league sucks, and if I don't see better officiating in the last few games.. then I will turn off the NHL altogether.

Teams like the Dirty Midgets get protected but clean teams get penalized for being tough.

I thought this series with Boston would be a close one that we would lose, but the officiating hasn't made it close, with BS.

If it is not corrected I will watch Euro football, because at least there they catch cheats every once in a while, the NHL is corrupt from the core at home office and it never gets reported.

FU Bettman...

I hope the last teams in this league are your BS additions I hope everyone else leaves.

- NHLWussBeater

Get a few things straight.... (You liberal minded meatheads)

1. Games are not won on a single call.

True, but not relevant. The series was lost through a series of unbalanced ref'ing. Anyone who objectively watched the series (and when all these so called experts from the east come on and say they have.... what BS) cannot say there were genuine 25 - 10 power play opportunity's.

The Canucks game relies on speed and rolling over lines. Even when they kill a penalty, they are discombobulated for 3 shifts after... about the time they got another penalty.

So the system of ref'ing was the culprit, not a single call.

2. Yes, my friends, it was personal against the Canucks.

- Daniel Sedin has only taken 2 penalties in a game twice... both ref's by Sutherland
- Burrows gets murdered out there every night but never gets a call.
- Somehow Burrows led the league in 2 minute penalties. Remember he is on the top line.... he is not a mucker and grinder.
- Sutherland was the one who called out AV for a mysterious bench minor against Calgary which no one could explain. Canucks lost the game on that penalty.
- Sutherland was the one who penalized Daniel Sedin for getting punched multiple times by Marchant in the infamous "Marchant plays Whack a Mole"
- Sutherland, feeling the pressure, actually makes a rare ref statement saying it was a violent shove... but the video clearly shows otherwise. Besides, the ref 10 feet away called nothing while Sutherland, up in the neutral zone had the worst view of the two by far and this is proven through his explanation and the video evidence.

3. No one else sees this... it must be a Canuck conspiracy!!!

Sorry, even San Jose Coach, in his last question in the post game spoke of how they knew what was going to happen. How is this so unless others see it too?

Bottom line, the Canucks were the highest skilled team two years ago and were greatly penalized by the league who allowed the refs to change playoff ref'ing to greatly support a 'big man's game' over a skill game. They used to not call penalties for the Canucks because there powerplay was a absolute killer. So yes, the Canucks began to dive to get calls to go to the powerplay (not any more than anyone else but because the Canucks had more to gain, they were called out as the king of divers) but then the ref's went too far the other way not calling anything for the Canucks. This, in turn, raised the animosity and led to the infamous Auger threatening Burrows with a preplanned penalty. The NHL never sanctioned Auger but somehow Auger never played another Canuck game and no playoffs where the ref's make more money.

So this brings us to today. Sutherland simply has it in for the Canucks. Anyone who rationally has looked at the situation would come to the same conclusion. He is strongly biased.

For example, he actually gave Daniel Sedin a 10 minute misconduct last night for "abusive language" --- WHAT????? I MEAN WHAT!!!! So this means if the Canucks did kill the penalty, they would have been without their top liner for 10 minutes. This would kill most every team, especially, as previously stated, a Canuck team that relies on Canucks rolling their lines and speed.

"Abusive Language". Does this not tell you everything Sutherland is? Overtime, playoffs, abusive language call on a skill player with no history of violence....

So Mr. Internet.... I leave it to you. All the trolls and haters be warned.... your team will be next. This is not just a Vancouver issue but only comes out as one as Vancouver had the most to lose. Those who say this is whining.... look at the history or shut up.

Now who is going to lose? The NHL will as the Canucks will no longer have sellouts, become far less profitable and the welfare that other teams get from us will be decreased.

The only way out of this is for ESPN to do an expose on this. No one in Canada will as they have skin in the game and want TV rights. But ESPN can do it. And the NHL would have to listen as it will embarrass them in the USA and effect $$$.

For those of you who still think "Who cares, San Jose was the best team!". Maybe you are right, but we will never know. At a discrepancy of 25 to 10 power plays totally screwing with the games and scoring opportunities and even with that, two of the games go into OT, the series was a lot closer than anyone at the NHL wants to admit.

I, like many, have not paid a dime on the NHL this season due to the lockout. I, like many had opportunity to buy playoff tickets as they were available because thousands of paying Canuck fans voted with their wallets and said until the ref'ing is fair, we are not paying anymore. No more merch.

The only way out is an honest inquiry from a trusted third party. ESPN, where are you?

Canuck ownership needs to be vocal and public. Yes, they will be fined but what is the amount they will lose in the short run against the amount of ticket and merch revenue?

Oh hey.... tonight Sutherland is scheduled to do Boston vs Toronto. How much to you want to bet Toronto gets a ton on 50/50 calls to try to save Sutherland's professional status and make people think he is unbiased and objective.


*Poof*
- Beatle_john

[quote=Nucker101]
"(You liberal minded meatheads)"

Look at Melissa Mcarthy she has quietly made more money than any other woman over the past 18 months but she plays a goofy stupid dumb divorcee never the heroin. Yet people like her. Oh and she has a hit show on TV.

All that and yet, she was called by the gay Judge on Runway Model (I forgot his name and gay is just a description no smear) a whale and when the two stars are seen kissing he says it's absolutely disgusting - he shouldn't be surprised then when someone slurs his lifestyle. That's my point on this day in history we have come a long way in tolerance and understanding but when it comes to being an Endomorph the hate and ignorance is endless.

BTW Im 6"1 215 lbs I'm thick and I catch everyone off guard as I wear XXL shirts 38 waist and 31 length they always try to sell me a medium. I have had football teammates that would be considered overweight but I as a defensive back would not have wanted it any other way.

Peace

Look at Melissa Mcarthy she has quietly made more money than any other woman over the past 18 months but she plays a goofy stupid dumb divorcee never the heroin. Yet people like her. Oh and she has a hit show on TV.

All that and yet, she was called by the gay Judge on Runway Model (I forgot his name and gay is just a description no smear) a whale and when the two stars are seen kissing he says it's absolutely disgusting - he shouldn't be surprised then when someone slurs his lifestyle. That's my point on this day in history we have come a long way in tolerance and understanding but when it comes to being an Endomorph the hate and ignorance is endless.

BTW Im 6"1 215 lbs I'm thick and I catch everyone off guard as I wear XXL shirts 38 waist and 31 length they always try to sell me a medium. I have had football teammates that would be considered overweight but I as a defensive back would not have wanted it any other way.

Peace
- Feeling Glucky?

- Flyfreaky

he's a dream catch

he's a dream catch
- watsonnostaw

I'd love to watch him cover DJax...

I'd love to watch him cover DJax...
- Flyfreaky

the lack of his defining his race is a big red flag in any race proposal

the 38 waist with 31 length seems to be a bit off for a 6'+ homo

I'd love to watch him cover DJax...
- Flyfreaky

the only way that guy can cover djax is to cover him in his fluids.

which it sounds like he's probably into.

the lack of his defining his race is a big red flag in any race proposal

the 38 waist with 31 length seems to be a bit off for a 6'+ homo
- watsonnostaw

the only way that guy can cover djax is to cover him in his fluids.

which it sounds like he's probably into.
- kicksave856

I wonder if he drinks pickle juice?

I wonder if he drinks pickle juice?
- Flyfreaky

ew. i never thought of it like that before.

the lack of his defining his race is a big red flag in any race proposal

the 38 waist with 31 length seems to be a bit off for a 6'+ homo
- watsonnostaw

Maybe he just digs capris.

I now have 58 players on The Rumor Chart which is now live. I updated the following Penguins

On Ryan Miller...

It really now appears his days in Buffalo are coming to a close as I have dropped my chances that Miller returns to Buffalo to an all-time low 15% There will be no shortage of possibilites though...It is widely known Miller wants to go West, and Edmonton, Phoenix, St Louis are all in the running here...

On Dustin Penner...

This may be the year the Kings cant make it work and to be honest he will get more elsewhere...so far I have heard Buffalo and NJ linked to Penner

On Damien Brunner...

Still feel the Red Wings get it done...but NJ has interest as well. NJ will be a VERY active team this summer.

I need to turn off my computer as we are in final descent into Chicago on my flight...stay tuned for reports from the United Center and my prediction blog for the Cup Final!

cheers

I now have 58 players on The Rumor Chart which is now live. I updated the following Penguins

On Ryan Miller...

It really now appears his days in Buffalo are coming to a close as I have dropped my chances that Miller returns to Buffalo to an all-time low 15% There will be no shortage of possibilites though...It is widely known Miller wants to go West, and Edmonton, Phoenix, St Louis are all in the running here...

On Dustin Penner...

This may be the year the Kings cant make it work and to be honest he will get more elsewhere...so far I have heard Buffalo and NJ linked to Penner

On Damien Brunner...

Still feel the Red Wings get it done...but NJ has interest as well. NJ will be a VERY active team this summer.

I need to turn off my computer as we are in final descent into Chicago on my flight...stay tuned for reports from the United Center and my prediction blog for the Cup Final!

cheers
- Flyfreaky

imagine how many more juicy tidbits we would have been treated to if not for that pesky final decent into chicago...

imagine how many more juicy tidbits we would have been treated to if not for that pesky final decent into chicago...
- the_cause2000

to be fair, he was making more poop up as the plane was landing.

more poop to come...

imagine how many more juicy tidbits we would have been treated to if not for that pesky final decent into chicago...
- the_cause2000

i dont understand the rules of how teams are making trades right now...was the trade deadline not a couple months ago??? and arent the playoffs still going on???

i dont understand the rules of how teams are making trades right now...was the trade deadline not a couple months ago??? and arent the playoffs still going on???
- watsonnostaw

I'm right there with you...What the hell is going on?