I'd keep Nuke and Jost on a 3rd line together for a bit. They do a good job together. Would be nice if they had someone on the line with them who could finish, because both of them couldn't do it if putting the puck in the net was the only thing that would solve world hunger
This is spot on. Each line needs a snipe. I presume Sakic thought that would be Mikko, Burky and Donskoi. So Nuke >Jost Burky holds some promise.
I suspect this is the first time that Maya Angelou is quoted in a hockwey blog, but it makes sense for the contemporary Avs: when someone show you who they are, believe them the first time. Sakic paid no attention to this notion, and brought the Avs too many players assuming that the coaching staff would miraculously change them. Grubi lost his spot in Washington because he could neither move laterally nor make a save with his glove to save his life. Burky and Donskoi lost their spots because they were uber-streaky. Did anyone think Kadri could hold it together for 4 years without a major? ( I am a huge Kadri fan and liked the acquisition, but I know this suspension was coming sooner or later.)
For the Avs to win the cup, a few tings need sot happen:
1) They need to draft better. The Avs are not going to get the #4 slot each year, and a trained money can do a better job of talent evaluation that the Avs' staff. It seems that is on the way.
2) Sakic needs to abort his search for diamonds in the rough and make a blockbuster deal. This team needs a legit elite 2C, and Newhook will not be it next year. He will probably be elite in 3 years, but my ulcer can't take the wait.
3) Find a cost-effective solution in the net. Grubi has proven over and over again he is not the guy to win a cup. I don't think Bednar has a legit 'system' but if he does, it is one which protects the goal tender with mobile defensemen. He dos not face that many tough shots, and people can Corsi themselves to death, but the eye test is still the best evaluation and Grubi is hanging his hat on stats caused by the team, not his prowess. I certain am not giving him a raise, and I wonder if he is worth a penny more than his $3.33 AAV in a cap constrained economy.
4) Fire the entire coaching staff, except the excellent guys in the video room. I have been known all year as the biggest proponent of firing Bednar. I don't hate Bednar and I think he would be a remarkable elite AHL coach, or a decent coach for a bottom dweller loaded with kids. He has a way of developing a player's confidence and vision. That is valuable, just not in the NHL playoffs. Sadly, the Avs only have Mac for so long, and Bednar is not going to improve fast enough to take advantage of the Mac window. Parkilla has done nothing to improve the flaws which cost Grubi is starter spot in Washington. Pratt has done nothing with the defenders and may have made Graves worse by making him a shot blocker, not a digger along the boards. Bennet seems to do nothing but tell Bednar that all his bad ideas are good.
So, in general, if the Avs want a shot at the cup next year, Sakic must:
1) Go all in on a coach who can make a cup run: Gallant. I know Seattle wants him. I know the Rangers want him. But he is leading neither to the cup in the next few years.
2) Go all in on an elite 2C. This team would be hard to beat with Mac > Eichel > Newhook > Jost down the center, though I suspect both Newhook and Kadri might have to head to Buffalo ( along with assets) to pry Eichel free.
In short, Sakic has to put his balls on the table. His slow and steady built will snuff Mac's championship window, and from his comments lat night, I woul dnot bet the farm that Mac stays if Sakic does not step out of his conservative shell and make some dramatic moves.
