Miska has taken over the Eagles net. He’s starting his 2nd game in this b2b.
And he gets the shutout!
AJG with the Gordie Howe hat trick, and that Kaut guy with an assist.
Miska has taken over the Eagles net. He’s starting his 2nd game in this b2b.
Kaut was really good, showing that confidence with the puck back in the AHL. He shoulda had that goal, was the same shot as his first NHL one on the pp but it glanced off Greer. They have him on the third line with Colin Campbell and Ryan Wagner for some inexplicable reason and they will generate zero offense together. But they figured out to use Kaut on both pp1 and top pk so he does get his minutes up that way. Shame he never PKed for Avs, he’s quite good at it.And he gets the shutout!
AJG with the Gordie Howe hat trick, and that Kaut guy with an assist.
Kaut was really good, showing that confidence with the puck back in the AHL. He shoulda had that goal, was the same shot as his first NHL one on the pp but it glanced off Greer. They have him on the third line with Colin Campbell and Ryan Wagner for some inexplicable reason and they will generate zero offense together. But they figured out to use Kaut on both pp1 and top pk so he does get his minutes up that way. Shame he never PKed for Avs, he’s quite good at it.
I can, and will, quibble about the lineup decisions and playing not only AHL vets but ECHL PTOs in expanded roles but Cronin does have them playing a good team game, there’s something real to the home ice advantage in Loveland and are getting great goaltending.
How can ECHLers play ahead of our prospects? That’s a bit messed up.Kaut was really good, showing that confidence with the puck back in the AHL. He shoulda had that goal, was the same shot as his first NHL one on the pp but it glanced off Greer. They have him on the third line with Colin Campbell and Ryan Wagner for some inexplicable reason and they will generate zero offense together. But they figured out to use Kaut on both pp1 and top pk so he does get his minutes up that way. Shame he never PKed for Avs, he’s quite good at it.
I can, and will, quibble about the lineup decisions and playing not only AHL vets but ECHL PTOs in expanded roles but Cronin does have them playing a good team game, there’s something real to the home ice advantage in Loveland and are getting great goaltending.
This is how they run their system. If you don’t have priority (1sts, some 2nds) then you play on the 4th line or in the ECHL while they dress as many veterans and guys on AHL contract as they can because they are older. Griffin Molino is on a PTO from Utah (he’s not even an Eagles contracted player) and he played on the top line with Condra and Tynan because he’s 25 years old. Igor was scratched and Lewis has been banished forever. They value age above all else.How can ECHLers play ahead of our prospects? That’s a bit messed up.
How’s his skating? I know it’s been raved about in general by our fans but every time I’ve watched him I don’t think it’s anywhere near as good as everyone else believes. Does he get beat because of his movement or is it a caught out of position kinda thing.This is how they run their system. If you don’t have priority (1sts, some 2nds) then you play on the 4th line or in the ECHL while they dress as many veterans and guys on AHL contract as they can because they are older. Griffin Molino is on a PTO from Utah (he’s not even an Eagles contracted player) and he played on the top line with Condra and Tynan because he’s 25 years old. Igor was scratched and Lewis has been banished forever. They value age above all else.
Timmins shoots the puck a lot and manages to pick up a point nearly every game but probably hasn’t had the greatest month defending. He’s taken quite a few penalties lately and they are of the got beat variety. I don’t think playing in an unstructured environment is going to help that too much however. All the Ds down there have turnovers and end up running around. So he’s prob not going to get a callup but I’m not sure what more they can reasonably expect without some NHL time.
How’s his skating? I know it’s been raved about in general by our fans but every time I’ve watched him I don’t think it’s anywhere near as good as everyone else believes. Does he get beat because of his movement or is it a caught out of position kinda thing.
Is Cronin a good coach? I have read the article about Graves praising him and he seems to be good at the relationship side of coaching but how is he on implementing a system? As a teacher/prospect builder?This is how they run their system. If you don’t have priority (1sts, some 2nds) then you play on the 4th line or in the ECHL while they dress as many veterans and guys on AHL contract as they can because they are older. Griffin Molino is on a PTO from Utah (he’s not even an Eagles contracted player) and he played on the top line with Condra and Tynan because he’s 25 years old. Igor was scratched and Lewis has been banished forever. They value age above all else.
Timmins shoots the puck a lot and manages to pick up a point nearly every game but probably hasn’t had the greatest month defending. He’s taken quite a few penalties lately and they are of the got beat variety. I don’t think playing in an unstructured environment is going to help that too much however. All the Ds down there have turnovers and end up running around. So he’s prob not going to get a callup but I’m not sure what more they can reasonably expect without some NHL time.
Nope no sarcasm. Seems like you’re seeing what I’m seeing but the general opinion on the Avs board is that he’s this great skater.Really? It's been raved about...? Am I not picking up on sarcasm, because if there was a huge concern apart from his obvious injury history, it was his skating.
Not sure where this is coming from because I'm positive skating was always the main concern about him besides his health of course.Nope no sarcasm. Seems like you’re seeing what I’m seeing but the general opinion on the Avs board is that he’s this great skater.
Nope no sarcasm. Seems like you’re seeing what I’m seeing but the general opinion on the Avs board is that he’s this great skater.
Thanks for you insights. You say that Cronin is a teacher but they still need someone for development. What do you mean by that? (In my head a teacher would develop players).Timmins’ skating is better but it’s still not great. I don’t think anyone raves but it’s not seen as much of a hinderance as it can be. Straight line he’s not bad it’s just the quick transition stuff which is why when the game gets sloppier and more turnovers he can have trouble recovering. He’s a smart player so I don’t think it’s a positional issue. I’d still give him NHL games because that’s what’s going to help him figure out how to work it out and hope they don’t expect him to become someone different, which I think is getting at the root of their issues in turning out second rounders. He’s not much of a playmaker but is a great puck mover.
As much as some of the lineup decisions drive me crazy that’s probably not all on Cronin anyway, he’s done well with what he has to work with. I think he enjoys the teaching aspect of the position, which is what you need in the AHL. I wish the Avs didn’t believe this absolves them from having someone actually in charge of development but I digress. It took some time but they do play a good team game and play well defensively for as sloppy as the AHL can get. The top guys have improved, a lot of the depth prospects just get such little opportunity. It’s taken this long to get guys like Kaut and Bowers in special teams roles but again whose call is that. Cronin likes to focus on the details and the players seem to appreciate that. One thing I read was nice that Cronin specifically went to watch Kaut’s first game in Denver. They generally play the Avs system but that tends to evolve over the season and as it should to bring them success. So yes overall I think he’s been a positive there in Loveland.
Yeah, skating has always been the red flag with him, but I've always been confident that his IQ will allow him to be a top 4 D as long as his concussion concerns are behind him. If you're good at positioning and anticipation, you don't need to scramble to get where you need to be. The big question IMO is how he handles getting beat wide by speedsters in the NHL, that'll probably be his biggest weakness unless his skating improves.You've gotten a way different temperature than I have lol.
For myself obviously hes had the * next to skating, but I feel like even people who are really high on him allow for that critique.
Yeah, skating has always been the red flag with him, but I've always been confident that his IQ will allow him to be a top 4 D as long as his concussion concerns are behind him. If you're good at positioning and anticipation, you don't need to scramble to get where you need to be. The big question IMO is how he handles getting beat wide by speedsters in the NHL, that'll probably be his biggest weakness unless his skating improves.
I believe in him, but that's the biggest unknown right now. We just need a larger NHL sample size.I think skating may have been a reason he didn't stick after making it out of camp.
Now is that just a blip that needed the AHL to allow him to adjust, or is it just enough that the pace isn't going to allow him to be a plus IQ player.
Should be interesting to find out.
I believe in him, but that's the biggest unknown right now. We just need a larger NHL sample size.
I'm not too concerned about Byram's or Timmins' ability to stick in the NHL, my bigger concern is the latter's ability to stay healthy.
They're likely going out there to get someone, Barberio and Zadorov are likely gone, which means they're still in the market for a depth defender. I doubt they're going to leave it too wide open in hopes the prospects fill the holes.
I just think they should look for a top 4 D though, not another 6/7.