Post-Game Talk: Avs @ Wings 5.30PM MST || We get it. JLA has lively boards.

[Nihiliste]

At least Barrie and Elliott are progressing forward. Barrie is obviously much further along than Stefan right now but Elliott has looked better than his first few games.

O'Brien is actually playing quite well. Much better than Hunwick/ROB/Zanon thats for sure.

This, basically this season we need to keep seeing this positive progress from Barrie and Elliott. They get more comfortable with each game out there and with our lack of trade pieces and free agency pull we really need these two guys to keep stepping it up. Elliott will keep learning and start curtailing those serious mistakes just like Barrie did.

 

[The Shermanator]

well the loss means scratches are fair game tomorrow. I for one would like to see the same lineup +Varly.

 

[Grackle Party]

I don't get it. The little things Sacco does really annoy me. You have Stastny, Duchene, and O'Reilly all on the ice at the end so why is Stastny the one taking all the faceoffs? Duchene has been our best faceoff man this season and him and O'Reilly won 67% of their faceoffs tonight. Stastny was getting killed all night.

Just one of the reasons he's a bad coach... the little things.

 

[Avs_19]

well the loss means scratches are fair game tomorrow. I for one would like to see the same lineup +Varly.

If EJ and Wilson are ready, get them in there ASAP.

 

[Nihiliste]

I hope what Dater said about Sacco being on the hot seat is true.

well the loss means scratches are fair game tomorrow. I for one would like to see the same lineup +Varly.

Or maybe EJ back?

 

[S3rkie]

That is supposed to come from the coaching staff. That is their job.

If this coaching staff is so terrible why are all the players supposedly such big fans of sacco? You'd think if he wasnt doing his job someone would've spoken up by now. The coach can only tell the players what he wants hes not the one who fails to execute.

 

[IceRat]

0-2 with O'Reilly. 0 points.


thanks to Mitchell

difference maker

 

[Muffin]

If this coaching staff is so terrible why are all the players supposedly such be fans of sacco? You'd think if he wasnt doing his job someone would've spoken up by now. The coach can only tell the players what he wants hes not the one who fails to execute.

Just because players like a coach doesn't mean he's a good coach. Hitchcock is basically hated by every player he's coached but he's one of the best around.

 

[IceRat]

I hope what Dater said about Sacco being on the hot seat is true.



Or maybe EJ back?

we could kidnap Q tomorrow after we beat them

 

[hawk30]

Probably about as well as that group can play. 2 or 3 chances that should've been goals. Really disciplined without the puck.

Barrie and Elliott looked very comfortable I thought, disregarding the latter's mess up.

Zanon should not be playing. O'Brien, sad to say, is a big improvement.

Faceoffs are a bright spot.

Worried Duchene and Stastny aren't getting enough ice time, but may have a lot to do with playing tomorrow night.

We're still incapable of generating quality scoring chances in the zone or off the cycle. Everything is so forced, so predictable, so frantic. Just generally poor at using and creating space and time. Easily my main complaint about Sacco.

 

[Avs_19]

If this coaching staff is so terrible why are all the players supposedly such big fans of sacco? You'd think if he wasnt doing his job someone would've spoken up by now. The coach can only tell the players what he wants hes not the one who fails to execute.

We don't even know if they actually like Sacco. If they don't, they're not going to publicly say it. No player is going to throw their current coach under the bus like that.

 

[Nzap]

Our D looked okay there today.
O'Byrne played one of his best games this season and was OK, as was Hunny.
O'Brien and Elliott were both -2, but I thought they had solid games.
Hejda and Barrie were rocks again.

Basically what I would do if both EJ and Wilson are ready, then I'd waive Hunny, scratch ROB and everything else stays the same.

It'll be interesting to see who gets sent down/waived/traded if EJ and Wilson are ready to go.

 

[IceRat]

If this coaching staff is so terrible why are all the players supposedly such big fans of sacco? You'd think if he wasnt doing his job someone would've spoken up by now. The coach can only tell the players what he wants hes not the one who fails to execute.

 

[The Shermanator]

If EJ and Wilson are ready, get them in there ASAP.

I hope what Dater said about Sacco being on the hot seat is true.



Or maybe EJ back?

Yeah forgot about that.

 

[S3rkie]

Just because players like a coach doesn't mean he's a good coach. Hitchcock is basically hated by every player he's coached but he's one of the best around.

Wasnt saying hes a good coach was just saying I think its a bit exaggerated when everyone blames sacco for all of the teams problems. Like firing him is going to make them a playoff team. The team is made up of mostly average players and potential. What do you really expect.

 

[The Shermanator]

I don't know how this team can ever sleep at night after these losses.

Maybe that's why we suck so much, because we are always dead tired. Never ending cycle.

 

[Foppa2118]

I would love to know what play Sacco is drawing up

 

[Muffin]

Wasnt saying hes a good coach was just saying I think its a bit exaggerated when everyone blames sacco for all of the teams problems. Like firing him is going to make them a playoff team. The team is made up of mostly average players and potential. What do you really expect.

Did anyone think the Blues would make the playoffs before they hired Hitchcock?

 

[member 116861]

I hope what Dater said about Sacco being on the hot seat is true.

When did he say this?

 

[agentblack]

I really like Elliot's game tonight, the first time this year ive seen him make some rushes up the ice 5 on 5. And I have to admit OrrBrien has actually been good.

 

[S3rkie]

Did anyone think the Blues would make the playoffs before they hired Hitchcock?

The blues have a much more balanced team than the avs where players arent being stretched beyond their means. Put Hitchcock behind the bench and the team would still be inconsistent.

 

[IceRat]

When did he say this?

supposedly (not doubting, didn't see his quote just that it was stated here) after the CBJ game

 

[5280]

The blues have a much more balanced team than the avs where players arent being stretched beyond their means. Put Hitchcock behind the bench and the team would still be inconsistent.

How on earth do you know that?

 

[Muffin]

The blues have a much more balanced team than the avs where players arent being stretched beyond their means. Put Hitchcock behind the bench and the team would still be inconsistent.

And you know this how? Can't hurt to give it a try when things are obviously not going well.

 

[Nihiliste]

I think an excellent coach could do wonders for this group in a couple important ways
- more systematic approach to breakout, PP, and team defense
- adjust to other teams tactics over the course of games (Sacco's worst failing)
- using players in the ways they're most likely to succeed (e.g. not putting Mitchell out to center 1st unit PP while leaving Duchene on the point )


I do agree that the group Sacco is given to work with is limited. He can't help it that he has to play Mitchell/Olver and Palushaj on his 3rd line or drunk Jones on the second. He can't help it that he has to choose between raw rookies and washed up pylons on D. But a better coach could absolutely get better results from this group when so many losses are coming down to such small margins. Obviously he can't stop Elliott from giving the puck away, but a better coach could tighten up other areas to give us a bit more margin the other way.

Unfortunately the chances of us getting an excellent coach and not just another mediocre in-house hire are slim to none.