tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post2764788780395167553..comments2024-01-06T07:18:43.593-08:00Comments on The Battle of California: Ducks Gameday—The Avery ImpactJames Mirtlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221488913251638181noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-1089806558827328182008-12-05T17:42:00.000-08:002008-12-05T17:42:00.000-08:00Damn, I must say, I do like the follow-up comments...Damn, I must say, I do like the follow-up comments by <A HREF="http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/index.php/adspblog/hull_on_player_criticism_of_avery/#When:01:05:17Z" REL="nofollow">Brett Hull</A>. One thing that he understands -- the more teammates bag on Avery's reputation in the lockerroom, the harder it becomes for the Stars to part ways with him. And the contract is high and long enough that it's near impossible to move in the first place.<BR/><BR/>Still, Hull's right. The problem with the Dallas Stars this year goes deeper than Avery; players need to shoulder more of that blame.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-52505431597968614202008-12-04T15:42:00.000-08:002008-12-04T15:42:00.000-08:00i do want you do that JD experiment though...just ...i do want you do that JD experiment though...just for the amusement of hearing how drunk you gotAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-31151634595159359782008-12-04T15:17:00.000-08:002008-12-04T15:17:00.000-08:00i think we need some kind of shakeup...either fire...<I>i think we need some kind of shakeup...either fire the coach or trade a player no ones expecting...somthing...we might win a game or two and even squeak into the playoffs playing the way we are now...but its not gonna get us very far..imo...i hope im wrong</I><BR/><BR/>I'm dead-set against firing Carlyle right now, even for any artificial gains. For one, he's the cup-winner, and you do have to give some nod that way. Secondly, he just signed a two year extension this year, so to fire him before that even starts seems way rash.<BR/><BR/>I do hear your concerns, though, Spade, and believe me -- they are valid. The Ducks are playing well enough to be top-eight but not well enough to win multiple rounds in the playoffs -- and I agree with that wholeheartedly.<BR/><BR/>Still, I'm not panicky yet. Remember, there's still been a lot of roster shuffling, particularly on the blueline, and really, it doesn't matter very much how much ass you kick in December. For now, the fact that the Ducks are holding their heads above water is good enough for me. Come February, yes, I will expect to see something better or probably action will need to be taken, but for now, it's a calm sense of positivity.<BR/><BR/>It's always been my philosophy, really. All you have to do is play well enough to make the top eight, and then kick some ass once you get there. Home ice is nice, but we've seen plenty of times that it barely means squat. <BR/><BR/>Bright sides, guys. Even though GP is a bit scattered, there are only two western teams with more standings points than the Ducks. For December 4, that's plenty good news enough for me.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-59635629941885985542008-12-04T15:10:00.001-08:002008-12-04T15:10:00.001-08:00We can endup with 3 or 4 Morrison or Weight type p...We can endup with 3 or 4 Morrison or Weight type players.<BR/><BR/>aaaaahhhhhhh don't even say mike that...thats like acid on my crotch<BR/><BR/>i think we need some kind of shakeup...either fire the coach or trade a player no ones expecting...somthing...we might win a game or two and even squeak into the playoffs playing the way we are now...but its not gonna get us very far..imo...i hope im wrong<BR/><BR/><BR/>p.s.<BR/>earl watch closely next time...tell me how many times u scratch your head at a rc move or how many times you yell at an anheim player that gets outhustled<BR/>better yet grab a bottle of JD and a shot glass and take a shot everytime one of the things i mentioned happens..let me know if you make it thru the whole game hahaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-15435157755023247512008-12-04T15:10:00.000-08:002008-12-04T15:10:00.000-08:00We can endup with 3 or 4 Morrison or Weight type p...We can endup with 3 or 4 Morrison or Weight type players.<BR/><BR/>aaaaahhhhhhh don't even say mike that...thats like acid on my crotch<BR/><BR/>i think we need some kind of shakeup...either fire the coach or trade a player no ones expecting...somthing...we might win a game or two and even squeak into the playoffs playing the way we are now...but its not gonna get us very far..imo...i hope im wrong<BR/><BR/><BR/>p.s.<BR/>earl watch closely next time...tell me how many times u scratch your head at a rc move or how many times you yell at an anheim player that gets outhustled<BR/>better yet grab a bottle of JD and a shot glass and take a shot everytime one of the things i mentioned happens..let me know if you make it thru the whole game hahaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-22648275792451624442008-12-04T14:48:00.000-08:002008-12-04T14:48:00.000-08:00Meanwhile, Teemu is a -6 and can't do anything eve...<I>Meanwhile, Teemu is a -6 and can't do anything even strength because he's carrying a couple of stiffs on the 2nd line. Ugh.</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, and on this point I think a lot of us have given Teemu an awfully free pass at even strength this season, and why not? If he scores all our PP goals that is definitely a huge contribution.<BR/><BR/>Still, he has but one even-strength goal this year, and as much as we can blame the two guys he's playing with, I think Teemu needs to start fighting through more checks also. He did generate some chances in the CHI game, but I'd like to see him carry the line even more. A lot of times there's three bad players on his line, not just two.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-61031642599252455492008-12-04T14:46:00.000-08:002008-12-04T14:46:00.000-08:00I don't see how Ryan is the one to blame when Getz...<I>I don't see how Ryan is the one to blame when Getz and Perry have been dogging it on defense all year long.</I><BR/><BR/>Generally, you are correct, but Lidstrom's goal did go in off of Bobby Ryan's glove. That may have been an issue for RC.<BR/><BR/><I>It was the chicago feed, and in the pregame, there were actually laughing about how RC is known for his obsessive compulsive line matching, and that the Hawks should take advantage of it.</I><BR/><BR/>I'm not as upset about this as some might be. Yeah, sometimes it's frustrating to watch, but it is generally the cup formula. Some lines need to play better, but I'm not sure that the strategy or the obsession is truly to blame.<BR/><BR/>Let me catch another game, though, before I get too foot-in-mouth on this.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-38747341182665383612008-12-04T14:41:00.000-08:002008-12-04T14:41:00.000-08:00I don't know there, but he was on the ice for both...<I>I don't know there, but he was on the ice for both goals-against in Detroit. Probably it had to do with that. Generally you're right, though -- there's enough upside for Ryan that he shouldn't be stapled to the bench for more grinders.</I><BR/><BR/>And so were Getz and Perry, and Nieds. I don't see how Ryan is the one to blame when Getz and Perry have been dogging it on defense all year long.<BR/><BR/>Once again, RC baffles me. Benching Ryan, while giving Morrison and Marchant big minutes. Meanwhile, Teemu is a -6 and can't do anything even strength because he's carrying a couple of stiffs on the 2nd line. Ugh.<BR/><BR/>I was at work, so I had the stream in the background. It was the chicago feed, and in the pregame, there were actually laughing about how RC is known for his obsessive compulsive line matching, and that the Hawks should take advantage of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-8571436614610105202008-12-04T13:31:00.000-08:002008-12-04T13:31:00.000-08:00morrison has zero value....yup. and his value is ...morrison has zero value....<BR/><BR/>yup. and his value is going down game after game. At least it's a one year deal. <BR/><BR/>I think the bigger concern is the staff's ability to find replacment players for this team when a spot opens up. Weight, Bertuzzi, and now Morrison, you could call all of them busts. What the hell is going to happen next summer when there is potential for a huge turnover? We can endup with 3 or 4 Morrison or Weight type players.<BR/><BR/>I'm just sayin...Mike in OChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01831933744838119160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-22686872097329323312008-12-04T10:49:00.000-08:002008-12-04T10:49:00.000-08:00morrison is worthless dude..ive been watching him ...morrison is worthless dude..ive been watching him closley...he loses every battle for any puck..<BR/><BR/>marchant has the same speed...but can win pucks, faceoffs, play defense, ok and not score...might as well use him instead of morrison if your gonna just waste a center spot.<BR/><BR/>morrison has zero value....<BR/><BR/>p.s.<BR/><BR/>remember the stanley cup year? when we went into every game epxecting to win....expecting to score every game....now I wonder..are we gonna get lucky today..?<BR/><BR/>ok POSITIVE RIGHT?<BR/>getz and perry looked dominate on there cycle...hiller looking good!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-85907798866940082252008-12-04T10:26:00.000-08:002008-12-04T10:26:00.000-08:00earl the ducks gonna do anything to fix this offen...<I>earl the ducks gonna do anything to fix this offense or we just gonna hope teemu scores on the power play everytime..</I><BR/><BR/>Sure they'll fix it. Next summer.<BR/><BR/>I'll have to defer on last night's game. I did watch it, but not very carefully. Still, it seemed like there was some very good stretches where Huet seemed the difference.<BR/><BR/><I>and why was ryan on the bench?you're telling me marchant and morrison have better chances to score...at least ryan can use his skill and size to make things happen</I><BR/><BR/>I don't know there, but he was on the ice for both goals-against in Detroit. Probably it had to do with that. Generally you're right, though -- there's enough upside for Ryan that he shouldn't be stapled to the bench for more grinders.<BR/><BR/>Morrison is starting to irk me a bit. I understand he's still getting his feel, but simple things like catching or making a pass seem way difficult for him lately. I'll pay closer attention next game.<BR/><BR/><I>im starting to sour on RC really quick here...starting to think him and his coaching staff might be whats holding the ducks back..thoughts?</I><BR/><BR/>RC is old-school and wants more goal prevention than goal creation, but that's not new. Yeah, he probably is holding the offense back a bit but at least for a purpose, and in good stretches last night it worked out fabulously, just not at the end of the game.<BR/><BR/><I>p.s.<BR/>how do u fucken lose like that last nite</I><BR/><BR/>It happens. I'm not too worried yet; a lot of teams have been getting slaughtered in Chicago this year, and that team is definitely perpetually dangerous.<BR/><BR/>It should have gone better, but I'm staying optimistic. At least we don't have Avery issues.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-20647335860797141152008-12-04T10:18:00.000-08:002008-12-04T10:18:00.000-08:00earl the ducks gonna do anything to fix this offen...earl the ducks gonna do anything to fix this offense or we just gonna hope teemu scores on the power play everytime..<BR/><BR/>and why was ryan on the bench?<BR/><BR/>your telling me marchant and morrison have better chances to score...<BR/><BR/>at least ryan can use his skill and size to make things happen<BR/><BR/>im starting to sour on RC really quick here...starting to think him and his coaching staff might be whats holding the ducks back..<BR/>]<BR/>thoughts?<BR/><BR/>p.s.<BR/>how do u fucken lose like that last niteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-56617706988282814282008-12-04T07:28:00.000-08:002008-12-04T07:28:00.000-08:00Avery is a douche, and he always does douchey thin...Avery is a douche, and he always does douchey things. No reason to get upset over that.<BR/><BR/>Kris VERSTEEG is certainly making a compelling case for keeping the Calder Trophy in Chicago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-79382135294556771282008-12-03T23:19:00.000-08:002008-12-03T23:19:00.000-08:00Real good piece by Damien Cox on ESPN's NHL pa...Real good piece by Damien Cox on ESPN's NHL page. Pretty much nails my biggest problem with the Avery suspension, and similar things happening in the NFL. Stop trying to police the free speech and freedom of action of your employees. <BR/><BR/>http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=cox_damien&id=3741997<BR/><BR/>Sports leagues should be more concerned with their product on the ice, not who says what or has what political opinion or whatever completely unrelated bullshit they want to get their panties in a bunch over.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12892367633984292438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-19723844120121296352008-12-03T23:05:00.000-08:002008-12-03T23:05:00.000-08:00Meh. Planned statements are so boring.If that were...<I>Meh. Planned statements are so boring.</I><BR/><BR/>If that were true, we wouldn't be having this discussion in the first place, would we?<BR/><BR/>:PJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12892367633984292438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-69226831926231573322008-12-03T22:53:00.000-08:002008-12-03T22:53:00.000-08:00Meh. Planned statements are so boring.Meh. Planned statements are so boring.brokeyardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09375063373661364274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-49924808081800731452008-12-03T19:32:00.000-08:002008-12-03T19:32:00.000-08:00A pretty well-played apology by Avery. A fair sho...A pretty well-played <A HREF="http://startelegramsports.typepad.com/five_for_fighting/2008/12/averys-apology.html" REL="nofollow">apology by Avery</A>. A fair show of sincerity, I think.<BR/><BR/>Let's give him back his allowance.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-84573664982060913362008-12-03T18:55:00.000-08:002008-12-03T18:55:00.000-08:00Bravo Earl.Bravo Earl.Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08445618400360263938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-62489869809777493782008-12-03T18:26:00.000-08:002008-12-03T18:26:00.000-08:00I never liked seeing him play anyway. And to me th...<I>I never liked seeing him play anyway. And to me that's a good enough reason to suspend him. Forget what he said.<BR/><BR/>And this line of thinking I expect to carry the day. There's enough disdain for Avery the puke to not care exactly why he got suspended. But I hate it. I'd rather the NHL punished actions instead of personalities or imagined repercussions. If it's likeability that's going to decide tough issues like this, I think that's horrible.</I><BR/><BR/>Seriously, that was a joke, at least a really lame attempt at one.<BR/><BR/>As for those who say they wouldn't mind seeing the Stars suspend Avery because he's their employee, Avery is actually also an employee of the NHL. Think about it like a big corporate office. The NHL is the parent company of all the teams so therefore Avery is an employee of the NHL.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, Tom Hicks said he would have suspended Avery anyway if the NHL didn't step in to do it.<BR/><BR/>I wouldn't have minded if Avery said things that tried to up the excitement for the game and talk about other players, but again he used a deragatory remark which is a no-no in the media. <BR/><BR/><I>When will all the beat writers get their punishment for talking about Elisha Cuthbert prior to yesterday?</I><BR/><BR/>The thing is that the media was simply quoting Avery which is perfectly legitimate. Should they have probably censored themselves? Maybe, but I'm not a big fan of censorship - otherwise how could I possibly even read this blog?<BR/><BR/>I just read a great post on NHL Fanhouse <A HREF="http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2008/12/03/stars-management-plotting-avery-endgame/#cont" REL="nofollow">http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2008/12/03/stars-management-plotting-avery-endgame/#cont</A>. Talks about a really similar situation with John Rocker. The league and teams can't tolerate statements from their athletes which again are held to a higher standard since they are public figures. Is that fair? Not really, but that's the way it is. Professional athletes are role models no matter if they like it or not. They shouldn't have gone into that profession if that wasn't something they wanted. Or they could just act like Pahlsson and just say about 50 words a season.Wooster11https://www.blogger.com/profile/01643921737937679399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-28003396212021230272008-12-03T18:10:00.000-08:002008-12-03T18:10:00.000-08:00OK, I'll admit it. That shooting range episode wa...OK, I'll admit it. That shooting range episode was pretty cool. Perry with the upset -- I'm cool with that. I wonder who knocked out Carlyle? :)<BR/><BR/><I>As another blog put it, it would have been less controversial to stomp on someone with a skate.</I><BR/><BR/>It's funny how these big controversies fall quickly to the wayside when there's a new villain in the limelight.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-29711819568947079092008-12-03T16:51:00.000-08:002008-12-03T16:51:00.000-08:00Maybe the NHL is upset because Cuthbert is their o...Maybe the NHL is upset because Cuthbert is their one chance at a spotlight in the mainstream media.<BR/><BR/>As another blog put it, it would have been less controversial to stomp on someone with a skate.brokeyardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09375063373661364274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-20811425547412919642008-12-03T16:49:00.000-08:002008-12-03T16:49:00.000-08:00Yes, we have a league where we accept that it is o...Yes, we have a league where we accept that it is ok to beat each other up, board each other, hit each other with sticks, etc. But those players are gentlemen off the ice. Avery is not. I think that is one of the things the NHL has going for it: A game for thugs, played by gentlemen.<BR/><BR/>Whilst I feel that some of the physical play gets over looked because it is considered to be a large element of the sport, lewd comments are not and should be treated as such!<BR/><BR/>The suspension will probably be a few games. They will call Avery in, slap him on the wrists, and then say what? Be nice? Done deal. The Stars wont waive him because then there wont be any stars left in Dallas! <BR/>And who wants to stomach that salary cap hit for a guy that has never scored more than 15 goals in a year in the big league?Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06946147181624214410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-50709663490438426612008-12-03T16:14:00.000-08:002008-12-03T16:14:00.000-08:00I doubt I would have even known about the comment ...<I>I doubt I would have even known about the comment if there was no suspension. </I><BR/><BR/>Yeah, there's no doubt that the NHL put the words "sloppy seconds" in more headlines than Sean Avery could ever have done himself. Or, in the case of the OC Register, "(former girlfriend)".<BR/><BR/>Good work, silly league.Earl Sleekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15843720035500316419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-15103717343426861072008-12-03T16:03:00.000-08:002008-12-03T16:03:00.000-08:00I am thinking now that Bettman suspended him to pr...<I>I am thinking now that Bettman suspended him to prevent a brawl last night that would have given the NHL really bad press.</I><BR/><BR/>It's not like Avery would fight Dion. The only thing they did was avoid the awkward felling watching Avery dive all night. He would have dropped to the ground at the slightest contact from any Calgary player and wait for the medical trainer (this helps ensure a penalty is called against Calgary, and sometimes even increases the penalty time) then come out on the ensuing PPL and score. <BR/><BR/>The whole thing got way more pub after the suspension. I doubt I would have even known about the comment if there was no suspension. <BR/><BR/>They should have taken their chances with a brawl. Avery’s a pussy, he won’t fight. That leaves his teammates, and if his teammates really hate him, the non-action would have been the bigger statement.Mike in OChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01831933744838119160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27850362.post-22876327733477400442008-12-03T15:39:00.000-08:002008-12-03T15:39:00.000-08:00i thought what avery said was funny..I dont get th...i thought what avery said was funny..<BR/><BR/>I dont get though why everyone gets so excited when he does somthing...like when TO or ocho cinco...it lasts in my brain for 2 seconds<BR/><BR/>hey rudy you forgot "butt pirate" on your listAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com