Honestly I think you have this backwards. We play well in OT because the coaching staff and players figured out what they need to do in terms of line combos and actual play on the ice, for example splitting up the twins. Remember last year when we couldn't win an OT game to save our lives? the guys out there playing aren't much different this year, just got it figured out.

We play worse in regulation because we lack A: high end skill and B: depth in the lineup.
- NorthNuck

Solid analysis.

So you want to pick someone 1OA (provided we win the lotto of course) who isn't a gamebreaker and who while projected to be a 1C isn't going to be that much more talented then Bo? Do we need another Horvat? That's why I say, stay the course THIS YEAR and then NEXT YEAR when the draft class is projected to have 1 or 2 gamebreakers in the top 3 you can go for the bottom. You'll also have most of the core on either their final year of their contracts (Sedins) and will be able to more easily convince players like Edler, LE and Sutter that they'd be better off elsewhere and get assets for them and then try to stuff the lotto box.

I don't want another Linden or Nedved and that's who I see we'd get this year, if the draft class is that weak, where we pick this year doesn't matter and we might as well stay the course.
- DariusKnight

Hate to break it to you they are staying the course, they suck and are lacking talent, so while saying staying the course, this will get them a 1-5 overall pick.


Almost forgot my

Hate to break it to you they are staying the course, they suck and are lacking talent, so while saying staying the course, this will get them a 1-5 overall pick.


Almost forgot my
- Makita

I'm glad your in such a good mood this morning. Isn't that what most people want a 1-5 pick.

Not that I don't like OJ, but this TSN headline is interesting.

"How the Calgary Flames have risen from the ashes
The line of Matthew Tkachuk, Michael Frolik and Mikael Backlund is one of the best currently skating anywhere in the NHL"

Since I was the 1st to bring up detailed systems play / coaching
, about 1.5 - 2 years ago I have had tons of observations I think I should pass on.
1. What we see and a growing number of others see in this way is glaringly obvious to us, yet many do not see it. Seems to be a majority of 60-70% that dont. Its like Math, lots of people struggle with it not matter they do. Some find it easy.
That is OK, they will never get it or see it in all likelihood. They are just as passionate of fans as us just dont possess the vision to see the game within the game strategy wise. Just a different skill set.
Get used to it, they will always exist.
2. Since others dont personally see it they dont believe it or try to discredit. There seems to be the attitude that if they dont see it, understand it or is what they want to hear then it doesnt exist Dont take it personally, its their own arrogance.
3. it is unreasonable for anyone to expect all people here to see things exactly the same way no matter what view you have.
4. Ive tried posting material to educate people on systems play and it made no difference. You can lead a horse to water dude.
5. For some reason this topic seems very polarizing....some even angry
6. some people here are here to troll, start fights and heckle others. A negative agenda
7. keep in mind who your audience is. Its the same reason I dont post detailed posts on it here anymore.
8. Some here cannot get their heads around a coaches responsibilities / roles and how they affect / control a teams play
9. Some here prefer to heap it all on the cast of players. Do you realize what the astronomical odds of someone assembling an entire team of players who cant score, no urgency in their play, cant clear a zone and make bad puck decisions is? It's impossible is the answer. Willie even said it himself "if its an entire team its the coach." straight from the horses mouth.
10. Many here are extremely negative. There is definitely a negative slant on the team here.

Dont let it all get to you or let people tell you not to talk about it. But remember your audience and keep your own expectations in check.
- SMBDragon

11. This team would win the cup if they would just fire the coach...

Fck man, could you be any more generic? You claim to see things that other people don't and it makes me wonder if the same is true for the voices in your head.

I'm glad your in such a good mood this morning. Isn't that what most people want a 1-5 pick.
- manvanfan

If I had to choose between that and a new coach/9th pick I'll take WD and the lottery.

Not that I don't like OJ, but this TSN headline is interesting.

"How the Calgary Flames have risen from the ashes
The line of Matthew Tkachuk, Michael Frolik and Mikael Backlund is one of the best currently skating anywhere in the NHL"
- VanHockeyGuy

Forwards take less time. Same as Jacob Chychrun in Arizona, just because he is NHL ready doesn't mean he will be the best. Same reason why JB took OJ because in the end he felt that he will be the best of the bunch. OJ and London just ended Jeremy Bracco's 26 game scoring streak.

If I had to choose between that and a new coach/9th pick I'll take WD and the lottery.
- Max.Betts

Yeah that would make sense, get a new coach during the offseason. It would admit to tanking then also.

Forwards take less time. Same as Jacob Chychrun in Arizona, just because he is NHL ready doesn't mean he will be the best. Same reason why JB took OJ because in the end he felt that he will be the best of the bunch. OJ and London just ended Jeremy Bracco's 26 game scoring streak.
- manvanfan

Not questioning the pick at all. Calgary doing well leaves us one less team to worry about come lottery time, I hope.

Not that I don't like OJ, but this TSN headline is interesting.

"How the Calgary Flames have risen from the ashes
The line of Matthew Tkachuk, Michael Frolik and Mikael Backlund is one of the best currently skating anywhere in the NHL"
- VanHockeyGuy

Matthew Tkachuk is a good hockey player. Just because the canucks didn't pick him doesnt negate that. It's also only been 6 months since the amateur draft. To suggest that this team would be more competitive in 5 years if we had taken Tkachuk 6 months ago is ludicrous.

Nothing happens quickly in the NHL off the ice.

Not questioning the pick at all. Calgary doing well leaves us one less team to worry about come lottery time, I hope.
- VanHockeyGuy

Didnt think this is where you were going with the last post. I dont think Calgary is a threat to our lotto pick. Arizona, Colorado, Toronto, Buffalo and NYI on the other hand are.

edit, and LVGK

Not questioning the pick at all. Calgary doing well leaves us one less team to worry about come lottery time, I hope.
- VanHockeyGuy

Calgary has been drafting just a bit higher then Van getting slightly better players each year.

Calgary has been drafting just a bit higher then Van getting slightly better players each year.
- manvanfan

looks like that will change this year.

If I had to choose between that and a new coach/9th pick I'll take WD and the lottery.
- Max.Betts

TO ADD to this a bit. Getting a Lottery pick even if it be Nico, Liljgren, or Patrick. It could probably be a decent idea to send them back to junior or Nico and Liljgren to the AHL. Not going to get a player that will change the team enough. Might as well wait one more year and in 2018 it seems as if there are more game changer players.

11. This team would win the cup if they would just fire the coach...

Fck man, could you be any more generic? You claim to see things that other people don't and it makes me wonder if the same is true for the voices in your head.
- Max.Betts

He was crying about WD when he got this team to a 103 pt season and had no right being in the PO's

Forwards take less time. Same as Jacob Chychrun in Arizona, just because he is NHL ready doesn't mean he will be the best. Same reason why JB took OJ because in the end he felt that he will be the best of the bunch. OJ and London just ended Jeremy Bracco's 26 game scoring streak.
- manvanfan

Long-term Juolevi is a better pick than Tckachuk. Just need to wait a bit. We're good.

Long-term Juolevi is a better pick than Tckachuk. Just need to wait a bit. We're good.
- LordHumungous

Van could certainly use a scoring winger but I think Top pairing potential D are a bit harder to find. I'm excited to see if OJ can help finland repeat without PL and JP.

That is too small for me to make out.
- Retinalz

Thats what she said

He already committed to the hit before Shaw reached. It was a hockey play. Principle point of contact was the head though. Tough call.
- thundachunk

Doesn't let up and clearly tries to lift up through the hit. Back to hitting a defenceless player.

#Pens since being taken over by coach Mike Sullivan:

52-23-8, .682 winning %, 1 Stanley Cup.


Just reading this on twitter, he kicked their asses into gear when he got there!!

He was crying about WD when he got this team to a 103 pt season and had no right being in the PO's
- LordHumungous

11. This team would win the cup if they would just fire the coach...

Fck man, could you be any more generic? You claim to see things that other people don't and it makes me wonder if the same is true for the voices in your head.
- Max.Betts

I have been here nearly daily for the past few years, I have yet to see him prove any of his points. Its always "you just cant see it", "you just dont get it", or "I am not going to repeat my points", but then he also says hes too busy to watch every game, he just knows. His arrogance is astounding

#Pens since being taken over by coach Mike Sullivan:

52-23-8, .682 winning %, 1 Stanley Cup.


Just reading this on twitter, he kicked their asses into gear when he got there!!
- LeftCoaster

Not to mention, they play in the Metropolitan division which is, by far, the best division in hockey right now.

#Pens since being taken over by coach Mike Sullivan:

52-23-8, .682 winning %, 1 Stanley Cup.


Just reading this on twitter, he kicked their asses into gear when he got there!!
- LeftCoaster

They have made some good trades that supported the team also.

They have made some good trades that supported the team also.
- manvanfan

Yup, a lot of similarities to when Gillis took over the Canucks, established core but needed better supporting players.