RUPERTKBD
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Everything posted by RUPERTKBD
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That was the best chance the WCE version of the Canucks had. IMO, Bert and Clouts both contributed, but the real culprit was Crawford. Anyone with eyes could see that the WCE were getting destroyed in a head to head against the Gabby line, but Crow refused to try and get away from it. Linden's line was best suited to shut down Minny's offensive threats, but for whatever reason, Crawford let the WCE have that match-up and it did not go well....
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One thing I wanted to comment on is this talk of a "Country Club" atmosphere....and (apparently) how we as Canuck fans are fed up with it..... I'm not sure people who make this claim really understand the dynamic of a hockey dressing room....and when you refer to the Sedins as examples, it pretty much confirms that you don't. There likely is not and never has been an NHL coach who didn't have players on his roster whom he trusted and allowed leeway, both on and off the ice. The twins were famous for their work ethic and dedication. AV didn't have to micro-manage them,because he knew they could be trusted. At the same time, he was always pushing the buttons of guys who needed it. Every time he called out Kesler publicly, he got criticized, but every time he did it, Kesler's game improved. The same goes for Wellwood and Burrows. That's what makes an effective coach. Not someone who constantly yells at at his players, or benches them for every mistake. (If that sort of thing worked, we'd never have parted ways with Torts) An effective coach is one who identifies which players need a pat on the back and which need a kick in the butt. One size does not fit all. Maybe Bruce tried the "tough love" approach with Miller and it didn't work. Or maybe he hoped positive reinforcement would get the job done. We'll likely never know. What's painfully obvious is that the team needs more structure. Whether that's the fault of the coaches, or management for bringing in the wrong players remains to be seen (My guess is that it's a combination of the two) The bottom line for me is that "Getting rid of the Country Club attitude" is far too simplistic a remedy for what ails this team.
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I think it was Brad Pitt in Moneyball: "When you get the answer you want, hang up the phone".... The gist being, once PA had the deal he wanted from the Isles, you don't dick around and see if you can do better by shopping the offer....nor do you "wait for after the Allstar game"..... you pull the trigger and get it done.
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Elliotte Friedman says the Kings are in the market for a LHD....I wonder if they'd be interested in OEL? It just so happens that they're loaded with RHD prospects....Brandt Clarke plus a Cap dump for OEL....or if they won't deal Clarke (which they won't) we'll take Helge Grans (RHD, 6-3, 205) who is their #5 prospect.....
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And I'm not in any way trying to denigrate the '94 squad. It was a team with 1 superstar, a very solid supporting cast and a few heart and soul guys, like Momesso, Hunter and Gino....I also think adding Robert Dirk at the deadline was a shrewd move. At the time, it looked odd, but as the playoffs went on, he proved his worth....as did guys like Diduck and Glynn. But it was a team that finished the regular season with 85 points and the #7 seed in the West. Mostly, I'm arguing against this narrative that the 2011 squad choked. I think injuries and lights out play from Thomas were the reason they lost.
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The only member of that potent powerplay that was healthy was Danny (ironically, considering what happened the following year) Like I said earlier, almost all of the top offensive players were injured. That being said, in regards to your first question, I'd say Tim Thomas and his .967 save percentage.