I've been spending the past couple of days trying to figure out Bob Gainey's logic behind the changes he's made. I'm not buying into the concept that locker room and off ice crap had anything to do with it. That's just pure rumor and speculation because nobody except Bob and the players know what went on, I don't care who you are. I'm just looking at it as a GM would have to, with cold hard logic. As GM it's Bob's responsiblilty to ice the best team he can. Bob never struck me as a gambling man, in fact he strikes me as quite the opposite, very methodical, plodding and slow. Let's go back two seasons ago when we finished first in the conference. When we lost to the Flyers, did anyone one out there think we had a chance of getting past Pittsburgh? I didn't. Put your hands up if you thought Boston would beat Pittsburgh if they had managed to get past Carolina. I didn't. If I'm Bob Gainey and I want a team that's a cup contender, how do we get past Pittsburgh? Not with the lineup we had, not even with a few tweaks and additions. The Pens are getting better and stronger, they'll be a force to be reckoned with for a few years to come. We were getting older and slower, no disrespect to Saku, I love the guy but even I had to admit there were times out there when his skates looked like they were made of cement. He was good for 12-15 minutes max. If that's your best center it's just not going to cut it. The Pens have too much jump and they don't quit. Our new first line have the skill and jump. Enough jump to get past the Pens? Who knows, but it's a start and I'll take a question mark over an emphatic NO any day.
My biggest concern right now is what Bob's going to do about secondary scoring. We had none at the end of the season. I hope Plek & the brothers K are being held to the same standards as Koivu and company were. I just don't see Bob rolling the dice; hoping these guys clean up their act and start producing, especially after the drastic moves he's made so far. He's not finished yet.
So, what are your thoughts?
2 comments:
Good post, Moey. You're making way too much sense. Really, we have no idea what this team is going to look like. I hope Gainey proves us all wrong.
Dennis,
I don't know if you saw the movie "Miracle on Ice." Interesting, when the coach was chosing his players he wasn't picking the best or most skilled. He looked for strong character traits, i.e. determination, grit etc. Maybe that's what Bob's trying to do. But then again, that describes Saku doesn't it? I'll just quit while I'm ahead....
Post a Comment