guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
- 33,513
- 13,399
No, but teaching players to win is something that should have been occurring well before they got to the nhl. We should be seeing some progression, but were not. Still getting shot differential-ed to hell, still losing games. My critique of your argument was that "culture" has nothing to do with it. We have a pretty good idea about what they need to do to win games, so how are they being taught these things (teaching methodology matters). And if that piece is taken care of, why isnt it showing up in games?
Completely disagree. It is showing up in games...its just not showing up enough to create wins just yet.
Cultures or the 'psychological makeup' of a team varies form team to team. Most of the players on this team came from winning teams in their respective Junior League.
That doesnt at all mean that they just show up and know how to win in the NHL. Thats why most players need time in the AHL so they can adapt to the increased speed and strength of a Pro League.
That aside there is also a specific culture within a team which I believe has to be cultivated by the GM and the Coach...it doesnt just happen on its own. There has to be a direction and a formed identity (through additional player acquisitions as well) otherwise the team is rudderless which is a large part of what we witnessed here the last 6 years.
Instilling that direction and identity means that the existing players have to break their entrenched bad habits and reactions.
They have to rethink the game and train themselves to react differently. There is no short cut to this process no matter how fed up we are as fans.
This process is underway IMO and its evident by watching them play instead of just looking at the boxscores.
You cant honestly tell me that there have been no signs what so ever that the team is playing a more structured/tenacious game.