This House Is Not A Home: Avalanche 4 - Hawks 0

let that be our watchword.

You were so much pleasanter than I would have been.

Fehr’s response (excuse the wall of text):

"On the evening of December 5, 2011, the NHL informed the NHLPA that they proposed to put in place a four-conference format beginning with the 2012-13 season. As realignment affects Players’ terms and conditions of employment, the CBA requires the League to obtain the NHLPA’s consent before implementation. Over the last month, we have had several discussions with the League and extensive dialogue with Players, most recently on an Executive Board conference call on January 1. Two substantial Player concerns emerged: (1) whether the new structure would result in increased and more onerous travel; and (2) the disparity in chances of making the playoffs between the smaller and larger divisions.

“In order to evaluate the effect on travel of the proposed new structure, we requested a draft or sample 2012-13 schedule, showing travel per team. We were advised it was not possible for the League to do that. We also suggested reaching an agreement on scheduling conditions to somewhat alleviate Player travel concerns (e.g., the scheduling of more back-to-back games, more difficult and lengthier road trips, number of border crossings, etc.), but the League did not want to enter into such a dialogue. The travel estimation data we received from the League indicates that many of the current Pacific and Central teams, that have demanding travel schedules under the current format, could see their travel become even more difficult. On the playoff qualification matter, we suggested discussing ways to eliminate the inherent differences in the proposed realignment, but the League was not willing to do so.

“The League set a deadline of January 6, 2012 for the NHLPA to provide its consent to the NHL’s proposal. Players’ questions about travel and concerns about the playoff format have not been sufficiently addressed; as such, we are not able to provide our consent to the proposal at this time. We continue to be ready and willing to have further discussions should the League be willing to do so."

If the NHL was serious about getting this done this year, I think they should have tried to work with the NHLPA rather than just outright refuse to cooperate. Can’t really blame the NHLPA for refusing to accept the proposal. It may be a bargaining chip for CBA negotiations, but even if it wasn’t, I’m glad they didn’t just cave in and accept an obviously flawed plan.

Then iPhoned my response by hitting cancel. Ugh.

In short, the total team effort in our zone has been lacking enough that we’re not making our opponents life difficult or work hard enough for their chances. We have the right people to score to infinity and beyond but how many games have we been 2+ behind after the 2nd and expected some miracle?

Goalie issues aside, if they keep taking turns hanging each other out to dry on defensive zone plays then we will continue to struggle. My hope is they’ll all look at each other after Fridays game and be honest about their approach lately and come out with some fire in their step sunday night.

My bad. Just upset with the depressing loss.

and good wrap, Hack

This was a top-10 wrap up, Hack. Thanks for muting the pain/aggravation of last night’s game. Very Well Done.

i missed most of the first

It doesn’t show itself when we’re ahead by two … but in games, especially one after the other after the other, when we’re forced to chase mid-game and in the third, it’s just killer.

Dear lord, I hope not. But we’re a much better team than last year – our goaltending is night and day, and we’re playing a full team game right now. Our 4th line has actually become an offensive catalyst (thank you, Van der Gulik). We also have about 1/3 of the Man-Games lost we did last season as well, and it looks like Duchene and possibly even Mueller will come back this year. Our defense is much bigger and way better, and we’re actually able to play a puck possession game now (YAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!)

We’re looking like the team Avs fans thought we would be at the beginning of the year. I expect a bit of regression eventually, but I highly doubt we’ll regress that much. But I’m still 100% fine with teams still believing we’re the same young punks that finished 29th last year. It would just about make my life if the pick we gave to Washington was lower than their own.

It was all Bickell’s fault. He doesn’t play to his size…

None of these goals are 100% on Leddy, and while I was tough on the kid in the wrap, I’ll stand by the statement that he had a hand in each of the four goals.

Goal – 1, The zone entry didn’t directly lead to the goal, but I was annoyed with Leddy’s decision to make the aggresive physical play, rather than the safer positional play. There’s nothing wrong with making aggressive plays on the body, except when you aren’t capable of making the play. The puck carrier (can’t remember who it was) took Leddy for a ride, and his puck possession was a factor in the goal. You’re certainly right about Bolland; he should have blocked that shot and been off to the races.

Goal 2 – Leddy can’t let those two players get by him with the puck. He tried to make an aggressive play when the Avs had numbers, and he got burned on it. If Leddy stays back on that play, he’s probably closer to where Hammer ended up, and Hammer probably ends up a litter closer to forward #4, and maybe the result is different. Either Bolland or Kane should probably pick up forward #4 there, but that doesn’t mean that Leddy gets no blame here (assuming this is one of the 3 you mention). I’m not hating on aggressive defensive plays, (Dunc makes his fair share of mistakes on these types of plays as well), but they are often feast or famine, and when they come up on the “famine”, easy goals happen.

Goal 4 – Again, if you’re going to take the aggressive line, then make the fucking play. He whiffed, resulting in easy puck possession on the forecheck, and Hammer got caught napping.

And while you’ll probably deny that this was your insinuation, I’m not sure that I deserve the Campbell jab. When have I pined for the return of Brian Campbell? I understood why the move happened, and when criticizing a play or mistake by Leddy this season, I’ve done very little, if any, hinting that Brian Campbell would have saved the day had he been here. But by all means, add that last punchline by putting words in my mouth. Bravo.

Although I question why star players often get a pass and the bottom third of the salary pool take the brunt of the blame for losses

Who have I spared this season? I’d say the two players who have drawn the least amount of criticism from me over the last few years are Toews and Seabrook. Not because they’re my favorite players or because I have their jersey (neither of these applies to either player), but because I believe they make fewer mistakes than their teammates. I’ve laid into Bolland, Kane, Keith, Sharp, Hammer, Bruno, Fro, Vik, etc, so I’m not quite sure who I’m giving a pass.

Yes, in today’s wrap I could’ve pointed out all of the individual mistakes made on each goal and ranked them in terms of their relative importance, or I can focus on the kid who was on the ice for every single goal against. In your knowledge of how I view the game, do you honestly think that I see a player like Sharp make a mistake and ignore it simply because he makes 4 mil a year more than a player like Nick Leddy?

“As for Sharp’s play on the 4th? I guess I had stopped caring by then too.”

ding. ding. ding.
Give that man a prize. He hit the bullseye.

and get back on that damn ledge, Mr!

and what Hack pointed out above about the first two rounds. I hope that’s the only thing they tweak.

Someone on our site posted a poll asking who we would follow if the Avs ceased to exist. Chicago won. Not only do you guys have fun young players, you play a similar style to the Avs and HATE the same teams we do. And from what I’ve seen, the tone of our SB Nation blogs is pretty similar too – sarcastic and laid back 90% of the time and ready to jump off a ledge the other 10%.

I may pop over here more. It’s kinda exciting watching a team that might stand a chance at making it past the 1st round of the playoffs without half their fanbase dying of shock.

in the first five minutes that the refs had to get a goddam slide rule out to calculate them

“Got The Funk”…

I couldn’t understand what he was asking. I knew it had to be something along those lines by his retort.

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