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I normally don't post too much but here are my thoughts for the season.
Overall: It was a great run. Presidents Trophy, Art Ross, Jennings, Probably some awards in different categories. Would have been great if we topped it off with a cup.
Just heartbreaking seeing that we were that close but couldn't muster any effort in the most important game of the season and most likely franchise history.
You can blame it all on the injuries, officiating, Sedins or Luongo or even Kesler but in the end it comes to how bad you wanted the cup. Boston wanted it bad and they played to deserve it (Thomas was amazing and Marchaud as much as you hate him is a big game player - he proved it at World Juniors for the Canadian team and proved it again last night)
What I want to see going forward:
1. Coaching Change. As much as I like AV's claim demeanor - I find him very lack luster , frustrating and not motivating. There were times in the Playoff series were he was evidently out coached (Chicago and Boston). He just absolutely refuses to make the right calls at the right time - timeouts or pulling goalie and he takes the longest time to adjust our gameplan accordingly. Evidence was last night, we had the same stupid plays at the end of neutral zone with the chip-in's to offense (Bruins D well adjusted to this and never really let us set-up). He also favours the same players over and over again (Rome and Glass?????)
2. Find someone to play with Kesler. When the Sedins get shout out - it's all on Kesler. He was a 1 man wrecking crew in the NSH series but I generally felt bad for him. All the heart and effort but no one to play with.
3. Let the kids play. It's time to let the kids (Hodgson, Tanev, Schneider, Schroeder, Shirokov) play. In every deep team, you need to have guys who are on their ELC step up, push the pace, fight for a spot on the team and make a statement. Boston had Lucic and Marchaud. While the Red Wing's team of the Early 2000's had their star players and Dats and Zetterberg in the wings ready to lead the way.
Personally, I see this season and the SC experience as a stepping stone for us for next year. I see signs and glimpse of how Detroit won their cup in early 2000 (they were swept 4-0 earlier!).
Hell it even took Crosby 2 tries to get a cup.
With some tweaks and moves here and there. I can see us going all the way and taking it next year.
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ATTACK
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