Comments on: GIVING THANKS TO COACH GORDONTrio of Providence proteges say Go-Go delivered

By: Dooks94

Dooks94 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:35:28 +0000

Gotta find guys who can put the puck in the net! Somehow someway-the only thing that can be done is giving some Bridgeport guys a chance. We can’t get anything of value in a trade so I hope to see guys like Kurtis McLean, Trevor Smith, and Mike Iggulden be given a chance. All deserve it more than Tambellini-he’s terrible and has been given way too many chances. He’s a bust

By: Dooks94

Dooks94 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:28:30 +0000

The injuries have been ridiculous this year but if you remember this time last year, we were for a short time a playoff team-the no. 6 seed at our high point for a week or two-until all the injuries hit. Then we fell completely apart. Big difference between this years team and last years team- say what you want about Miro Satan, Fedotenko and Vasicek those 3 were better players than what we have now. Say Weight took Vasicek’s place-ok he would be considered an upgrade over Vasicek but the 25-30 whatever it was (which is a low number for the talent level) goals we lost from Miro and Tank just were not replaced. Plain and simple.

By: dose

dose — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:25:23 +0000

JPinVA on Jan 27th, 2009 12:24:38 said:
Dose, that comment does seem silly out of context. My point was that they have played HORRIBLE defensively and both back up goalies have kept them in games they’ve had no business being in.

JP - Understood. And by the way, I usually agree with your points more than anyone else’s here. Sadly, the reason for the ‘horrible’ defensive hockey is that they don’t have good enough players. I have to say that I am among those with the “we knew they were going to be bad approach.” I expected zero this year, and can’t really understand how anyone could have looked at the opening day roster - even before the injuries - and honestly expected much better than we’ve seen. And I adhere to the theory that this was essentially by design, and by necessity, based on the arena issue. I also admit that a couple of times I even swore off this team while in a drunken or emotional (or both)rage, because of how bad things have gotten. But I still watch. Every game. To borrow a phrase my dad used, I guess I’m a ‘glutton for punishment.” Or I really do love this team.

By: kevin

kevin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:57:17 +0000

should snow and gordon be ashamed of the injuries too? thats why were this bad. no dp and no defence and lately no offense due to injuries.

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:24:38 +0000

Dose, that comment does seem silly out of context. My point was that they have played HORRIBLE defensively and both back up goalies have kept them in games they’ve had no business being in.
If not for some incredible performances by JMAC and Danis their record would be even worse. There is no simple excuse for that. Snow and Gordon should be ashamed of this teams product.
If fans are going to take the “we knew we were going to be bad” approach, there’s no reason not to just turn them off and come back when they are good again.
For us diehards, sure, the subtle growth of Okposo and Comeau might be enough, but you don’t [re]grow a fan base with this kind of disaster.
They definitely need to improve in the second half.
(…and lets see more McLean and Smith and less Sim and Tambellini).

By: dose

dose — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:03:55 +0000

“If the team played better defensively they might have a respectable record.”

If,If,If.
If the team had better players they’d have a respectable record.
The sports corollary to the restaurant axiom ‘location, location, location’ is ‘talent, talent, talent.’
Given 2 teams with equal talent, effort wins. Given 2 teams with equal talent and equal effort, THEN coaching wins. First and foremost - in sports, the team with best players wins. Exceptions are 1 in a 1000.

By: SWebb62

SWebb62 — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:01:14 +0000

Two quickies…
1. Maybe the injuries (the groins, not sutton’s broken foot) are b/c these guys weren’t in good enough shape for such a rigorous system
2. Personally, I wouldn’t break up the McLean-Nielsen-TambO line just yet b/c they’ve buzzed the past few games. Slide Hunter in elsewhere

By: art

art — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:42:21 +0000

i like dooks post says it all.vlad’s comment about size is key_ can’t win with smurfs- phillys name for undersized rangers of the 90’s. in poker you can’t win with number cards only you also need queens kings and aces. Gordon in this analogy is the manager with poor players. It has been suggested that the manager in most sports can influence the outcome of a game by his player choices, strategic and tactical moves, and of course inspiration and motivation. having said all that it has been said in baseball that the manager in a very long season can change the outcome of a game about 8-10 times by his decsions regardless of what the other team does. That span can mean the difference between a great season and a disaster. Jury is out on gordon in all fairness i would neither praise over is management of the current mess or blame him for our occupping the basement’

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:39:53 +0000

I really don’t see Gordon making it here past next year unless he spends a good amount of time in the off-season tweaking his philosophy. Sure, more talent will help, but he’s also left this team out to dry a few times. They definitely need to be more physical, and definitely more cohesive in their own zone.
I hope that Garth and GoGo (there’s gotta be a sitcom in there; I’m thinking a Swedish immigrant and his pet monkey finding mischief and mayhem in suburban setting) work together in the draft and during the UFA period to bring THEIR team up to OUR expectations. Not once again lower our expectations down to their team.
The best part of this season is that we learned that we have two serviceable NHL goalies in the system. If the team played better defensively they might have a respectable record.
Let’s hope for a healthy second half, some more progress by the prospects and a defensive epiphany.

By: Willis

Willis — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:30:08 +0000

Its nice to hear that these young guys credit Gordon with helping them so much with his hands on approach. With what has gone on this year (injuries!) and the team he was given to start with, he has had his work cut out for him. By the end of the season we are going to hear comments like what is above from many of our young guys too. Let’s see what he can do with them this last half. I’m looking forward to it.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:08:22 +0000

It’s unfotunate that other Coaches are not saying the same thing. Players can say that the system will work in the NHL but I haven’t heard analysts or coaches (sans Billy Jaffe) say that it will work in NHL. There is too big of an adjustment for veteran players to make the necessary reads. Thank goodness we don’t have to worry about veteran players b/c they won’t come here. So I guess we can use the uptempo system with hard working no goal producing AHL’ers until Tavares gets here. But will Tavares help us not give up 5 goals a night? Will our defense tighten up. Maybe Hedman is the right choice to build a franchise around. Not sure yet. I thought Stamkos was supposed to be the next Gretzky, Lemieux Crosby whatever and the Lightning want to trade him already. What is up with that. Schenn seems to be the cornerstone defenseman the Isles missed last year. I can see the Isles picking Hedman and giving us the excuse that they drafted offense high last year in Bailey, Filatove etc. Can’t you.

By: Dmarie

Dmarie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:49:47 +0000

Good read, it’s nice to hear what players have to say about Gordon, he’s taking a lot of heat these days, this piece kinda tells you a bit more and it seems those who have played for him really stand by his style, which is great! love hearing that!