@RockLobsterdid everyone forget that we already had a MacKinnon-Duchene 1-2 punch at Center and it did not work?
I think 1 or 2 additions would definitely be helpful but I don’t think we should completely build our team around it. Speed should continue to be the focus IMO.Last thread ended with today's Spittin' Chiclets podcast so let's continue....
Blues are the toughest team in the league and are one win away from the cup. After Wilson's success in the playoffs last year, should we finally start getting bigger and tougher upfront if we want to go deeper in the post season next year?
@RockLobster
We had a Mackinnon-Duchene 1-2 punch at centre before but not with this Mackinnon.
Obvious problems with Duchene previously and I doubt he ever comes back (especially this summer) but it’s unfair to think that 1-2 punch can’t work when we’ve never witnessed it with current Nathan Mackinnon on Nathan Mackinnon’s team.
I refuse to believe this team wouldn’t be better off with Matt Duchene as our 2C.
Obviously it wasn't with "this" MacKinnon, as he didn't take off until after Duchene left. So that begs the question as to whether or not Duchene being here prevented that from happening or if MacKinnon was still just taking a bit longer to realize his potential.
I think their respective styles are a little too similar to one another and therefore easier to gameplan against. Matt Duchene is obviously a gifted hockey player, but my obvious bias (and I will recognize it as such) is that if we were to bring back any former Avs C that was drafted in 2009, it would have been Ryan O'Reilly.
Id prefer that too but Ryan O’Reilly is locked up for sereral years on a division rival that is about to win a Stanley Cup. That’s like saying you’d prefer to have Marchand than signing Zuccarello.Obviously it wasn't with "this" MacKinnon, as he didn't take off until after Duchene left. So that begs the question as to whether or not Duchene being here prevented that from happening or if MacKinnon was still just taking a bit longer to realize his potential.
I think their respective styles are a little too similar to one another and therefore easier to gameplan against. Matt Duchene is obviously a gifted hockey player, but my obvious bias (and I will recognize it as such) is that if we were to bring back any former Avs C that was drafted in 2009, it would have been Ryan O'Reilly.
Last thread ended with today's Spittin' Chiclets podcast so let's continue....
Blues are the toughest, most physical team in the league and are one win away from the cup. After Wilson's success in the playoffs last year, should we finally start getting bigger and tougher upfront if we want to go deeper in the post season next year?
To be fair, Kento, I did say “would have”...I know he isn’t leaving St. Louis anytime soon .
I think people talk about Duchene because part of them still want to bask in the feel-good part of his story where he grew up an Avs fan.
I have never said he wasn’t a good player, but I believe (and this is probably bias on my part) that he played a role in preventing MacKinnon’s breakout (most assuredly an unintentional role, but still) .
I mean everyone can feel free to dream on him, I’ll just always prefer we remain moved on.
I fully agree that he played a role in preventing Mackinnon’s breakout. However I blame the organization. Not the player who played the role and situation his coaches put him in.To be fair, Kento, I did say “would have”...I know he isn’t leaving St. Louis anytime soon .
I think people talk about Duchene because part of them still want to bask in the feel-good part of his story where he grew up an Avs fan.
I have never said he wasn’t a good player, but I believe (and this is probably bias on my part) that he played a role in preventing MacKinnon’s breakout (most assuredly an unintentional role, but still) .
I mean everyone can feel free to dream on him, I’ll just always prefer we remain moved on.
I feel the same about Duchene as I feel about O'Reilly.
Neither are dirty players that hurt a team just by being there.
Either is a better center than Kerfoot or Jost, so either would be better centering that 2nd line.
Duchene is the ex you had a child with, it may have been ugly during the breakup, but you both mature and realize it’s childish and get along, maybe even become good friends, but there shouldn’t be another relationship. Even if it may look to be for the best for the child, it’s best to just stay away and see other people
Listened to the Duchene chicklets interview and he mentioned a few times of things going on behind the scenes which was part of what made him need a change of scenery.
This isn’t new news to us or anything but he made it even more clear that the dressing room wasn’t working with him in it.
I got the same from it. It was really best for all parties to move on and should really stay that way. Duchene is a good player and the best center on the market, even with that, the Avs would be best to stay away... and Duchene would be best to stay away.
But it is nice to have something on the side while you're waiting for the right one.
I got the same from it. It was really best for all parties to move on and should really stay that way. Duchene is a good player and the best center on the market, even with that, the Avs would be best to stay away... and Duchene would be best to stay away.
Duchene has 80 points in 83 total games last year. Hayes has 57 in 77. You’re comparing a legit 1C to a lower end 2C.People are afraid of Hayes aging poorly with his contract but Duchene who's entire game is built on speed and will cost more $ back?
Find an identity and stick to it. This team's identity is speed and skill. Just because the St. Louis Blues could win the cup as a big, heavy team doesn't change the fact that the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins were cup winners from 2016-2018 as fast, skilled teams, and that the Blues' opponent in this Finals is a fast, skilled team in the Boston Bruins.Last thread ended with today's Spittin' Chiclets podcast so let's continue....
Blues are the toughest, most physical team in the league and are one win away from the cup. After Wilson's success in the playoffs last year, should we finally start getting bigger and tougher upfront if we want to go deeper in the post season next year?
Find an identity and stick to it. This team's identity is speed and skill. Just because the St. Louis Blues could win the cup as a big, heavy team doesn't change the fact that the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins were cup winners from 2016-2018 as fast, skilled teams, and that the Blues' opponent in this Finals is a fast, skilled team in the Boston Bruins.
The Avs don't have the personnel for a heavy team. They don't have the prospects to build a heavy team. I surely don't want to waste a bunch of assets making moves to become a heavy team.
It's not a requirement to be big and heavy to win in this league. You obviously can't have your entire team be 5'10 and 170 lbs, but you need a good mix.
If you're able to sign players like Kevin Hayes or Micheal Ferland, for reasonable deals (more so Ferland on the reasonable deal), then go for it. But don't try to overpay them just to try and copy what the Blues have. That almost always ends poorly.