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What are your most hated coaching decisions in AV's tenure?


CanuckleHorse

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As far as an actual system goes, it gets harder and harder to identify because the players don't commit to it. Why is that? You tell me.

From my observation, the system that brought this team along its cup run was centered around a strong puck-possession and transition game that was a direct result of a speedy, two-way line-up. The forwards were always able to get back and chip in defensively, and so too could the defensemen chip in offensively. That is to say, the players on the ice were more or less a variable five-man unit.

The cycle was employed on both sides of the ice, and was basically designed to force the opponent to skate more than you did; to cause them to chase. Naturally, there would come a time when a player would be open for a shooting position, and because of the nature of the line-up, this included the active defense.

Unfortunately, this system was eventually torn apart upon the realization that an aggressive forecheck foiled the strategy in the defensive zone, and an amplified physical game put strain on the system's offensive capabilities.

This wouldn't be a problem if AV could switch to a run-and gun to counter the aggressive forecheck or brick wall defensive structures that were designed to take us down.

Now that the pivots of that system are not in place (Salo, Garrison, D.Sedin's injury last year, Kesler's this year), there is a need for adaptation. AV needs to use a strategy that suits the players at hand.

At the start of the season, the system was in complete disarray because of the lock-out (partly), but it essentially reverted back to AV's frustrating-to-watch high-percentage system that put everyone to sleep when AV first came to Vancouver.

Then, more players were injured. What has to happen to mitigate this? A tough, grinding game with high energy. Just tire the opposition and hope your goalie will steal some games.

Well, AV's got the "hope the goalies steal some games" part right, but he's still employing a high-percentage system that, in my opinion, is failing because it requires a fair amount of hockey knowledge -- yet is being employed by a team consisting of about 1/3rd AHLers.

AV wont change his system to suit his players.

Not going to go too much further into detail. Still watching the game (for some reason).

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1) Tanev having an unfamiliar D partner is causing him to take more hits and look confused at times.

2) His use of wingers in 1 of the most important positions in hockey.

3) They played safe until they were 3 goals down AV should let them attack to get a lead.

4) Why is his time outs so important to him it can be used to settle things down.

5) The way he stood there looking all pissed instead of trying to fire up his crew what gives.

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Linden finished 7th amongst Canuck forwards in points in 2006-2007, but I was always angry because AV kept sticking him on the 4th line.

Sure, Linden had come off a bad year, but he was just 1 season removed from back to back 41 and 36 point seasons. He was skating well and obviously put up more points in the end. He was averaging 12 minutes a game, he should have been playing 14-16.. Jan Bulis level at least.

That really bothered me because that was also AV's first season here and to put the heart and soul on the 4th line made no sense.

I also hate AV for his relationship with Cooke. Lots of rumours stating that Cooke was moved because he and AV didn't get along. But Cooke was and has proven to be the perfect 3rd liner.. Since leaving the Canucks he's won a cup, 18 points in 41 playoff games, 2 15+ goal seasons.. lots of aggressiveness and a great forechecker. A 3rd line featuring Cooke of today and Hansen of today would be awesome.

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As far as an actual system goes, it gets harder and harder to identify because the players don't commit to it. Why is that? You tell me.

From my observation, the system that brought this team along its cup run was centered around a strong puck-possession and transition game that was a direct result of a speedy, two-way line-up. The forwards were always able to get back and chip in defensively, and so too could the defensemen chip in offensively. That is to say, the players on the ice were more or less a variable five-man unit.

The cycle was employed on both sides of the ice, and was basically designed to force the opponent to skate more than you did; to cause them to chase. Naturally, there would come a time when a player would be open for a shooting position, and because of the nature of the line-up, this included the active defense.

Unfortunately, this system was eventually torn apart upon the realization that an aggressive forecheck foiled the strategy in the defensive zone, and an amplified physical game put strain on the system's offensive capabilities.

This wouldn't be a problem if AV could switch to a run-and gun to counter the aggressive forecheck or brick wall defensive structures that were designed to take us down.

Now that the pivots of that system are not in place (Salo, Garrison, D.Sedin's injury last year, Kesler's this year), there is a need for adaptation. AV needs to use a strategy that suits the players at hand.

At the start of the season, the system was in complete disarray because of the lock-out (partly), but it essentially reverted back to AV's frustrating-to-watch high-percentage system that put everyone to sleep when AV first came to Vancouver.

Then, more players were injured. What has to happen to mitigate this? A tough, grinding game with high energy. Just tire the opposition and hope your goalie will steal some games.

Well, AV's got the "hope the goalies steal some games" part right, but he's still employing a high-percentage system that, in my opinion, is failing because it requires a fair amount of hockey knowledge -- yet is being employed by a team consisting of about 1/3rd AHLers.

AV wont change his system to suit his players.

Not going to go too much further into detail. Still watching the game (for some reason).

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1. Why do you think AV is Bowman? Or anything even remotely close to being as good a coach as Bowman was?

2. The problem with most Canucks are that they can't score consistently OR keep the puck out of our net with any great regularity. Doesn't that make them zero way players rather than two way players? Also, how does not being able to do either consistently make them better than pure offensive players who at least also go through hot stretches where they do score seemingly at will?

The masses have been spoon fed AV's "philosophy" for so long they don't realize that not every player needs to be a two way player to find success. You just need the right balance of offensivee to defensive players t balance things out over the long run.

Patrick Kane is a floater too but do you think the hawks care as long as thy have guys like Toews etc. to do the heavy lifting defensively? Of course they don't because he can make offensive plays out of nothing. There are NO Canucks right now other than the Sedins (when they actually shoot the puck once in awhile) who can do that.

The Canucks want every one of their players to play the same game. That is why when other coaches figure out how they are playing it shuts down the entire team not just certain players.

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Heres a suggestion to AV.. USE THE GOD DAMN TIMEOUT!!!!! FFS!!!

Everytime the team lets in 3 quick goals ( refer to oilers game ) he just sat there chewed his gum... the team needed a timeout after the 2nd oiler goal... no wonder the team sucks right now... they need to refocus after every goal against them..

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