Detroit’s winning streak was snapped by the San Jose Sharks, and now the team is heading into the den of the Stanley Cup Champions. Win, lose, or overtime point the question is going to be - has the culture been shifted in a way that will see the team respond to a poor performance?
This blog had plenty of criticism for Coach LaLonde in that the team didn’t seem to come out of a bad game hungry to correct the errors that were constant. The roster still has the same gaps it had when the coaching change occurred, the “bump” certainly seemed to kick in, but how did the team react to McLellan’s message after falling flat?
It’s been encouraging to see in game communication, a much more active staff, and reports that practices aim for the big issues. Beyond that, the coach will shut down a run through if it’s sloppy and demand better. At least, that is what’s been reported and the payoff seemed to be there.
Just before the San Jose game, there were 2 or 3 Youtube videos calling Detroit a “problem” for the NHL, with one even guaranteeing post season entry. This isn’t to throw shade on anyone, just a second to step back and gather what we know for certain. The team has to have a work ethic to bridge a talent gap. There are nights when that won’t be enough to grab the ‘w’, but work and discipline are evident in practice or absence.
There are plenty of trade rumors swirling about, including talks with Buffalo, and players are said to be available from Vancouver, Pittsburgh, New York and Boston. If there’s a chance to grab a top 6 center or top 3 or 4 Dman fans can only hope that the GM will be aggressive in sealing that deal.
Regardless, let me know your thoughts and what you expect or hope to see from the team as they hit the road. Of course they need wins and points, but is there a clear indicator of how they function and react that will make it feel like things are on the right track beyond the scoreboard?
Last night I did a live stream talking about “Strings’nPucks”, guitars and all the things on the burner. If you’re interested, you can see the replay here:
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