Hall, RNH, and Yakupov are all elite talents. It's just just the secondary score son a good day are at best a poor mans Darren helm but with crappy D responsibility.
They have less than stellar goaltending and their D core(due to management not picking D) is way below average. Those kids would have been sick anywhere else, they have no help. The talent is their the mix is not. Not even close
Toss him because plays like that are unnecessary the ONLY thing that can come of that play is a broken wrist. Toss him for the concept. No need for plays like that in hockey.
Yes stone sold it(less than anyone might think) but Subban didn't slap he hacked hard. I'd toss him for just being dumb. I think it was the right call take these plays out of the game
Like he says I get what he's saying. Babcock is getting younger players ready for future years. Petr starting, Marchenko getting the nod. All indicators that he possibly is coming back and wants the roster of guys he likes to be that much more experienced(he puts major emphasis on experience) for coaching them up.
They aren't dbags, they are physical they have some talent and they finally have a couple cups. They are always fun to watch in playoffs idk why ppl are so happy to see them out the playoffs won't be the same without them
Are you seriously that blind? Or are you the troll. You provide a win loss record hardly indicative of a goaltender in and of itself. Before Howard's latest streak of terrible he was like 15-6 and something. But you could tell he was shaky and I didn't like his play.
You must take into account Save percentage, GAA(which actually is derived from D play also not just goalies), and wins.
Mrazek clearly has a much better goals agains average, so either he's much better or the team plays better in front of Mrazek. Neither bodes well for Jimmy.
Win loss record would be heavily in favor of mrazek if the offense wouldn't have disappeared as soon as he got the call up. This is no coincidence either we've lost Cole Abby, datsyuk, Z, sheahan for stretches. All major contributors.
Your analysis is far too ignorant of other AT LEAST equally important variables. The stats as a whole point in Mrazeks favor. Whether that's due to him or the team(it's both IMO) doesn't matter. I won't draw a conclusion cuz there would be positives to both, but your conclusion is so biased and lacking critical data it's funny
And I agree with it. We don't want to play either of MTL or Tampa. Insane goalies and solid D cores. We know we are iffy at defense and goaltending so we need goals. They will be much harder to come by with these two teams.
Teams like OTT or NYR or NYI or PIT we Match up way better with. Either streaky goalies or iffy D cores even if forwards are strong
Rangers: We match up well against them for whatever reason, won the season series and besides Nash no insane pure goal scorers. And I'd rather face talbot than bishop.
Islanders: young D core besides boychuk who's old. Young forwards but good depth. However if you shut down Tavares line they tend to faulted and halak has been iffy of late
Ottawa: I think almost anyone would disagree and I get why. But one team simply doesn't keep a streak like that going forever. They are due for a comeback to reality. Also iffy d core beyond Karlsson and Hamburgler will catch the same phenomena as the team. Their forwards don't scare me at all and look for their rookies(Hoffman, stone, etc) to hit a playoff wall similar to the likes of Tatar and nyquist. They've never experienced the atmosphere before.
Beyond those teams obviously the Pens but that wasn't even a remote chance of playing them. Or the islanders either I guess. But I'd play those four teams before Tampa, MTL, or WAS. Those teams D core and tampas quick strike offense scare me. We need to be able to score cuz I don't fully trust D and not goaltending at all.
You mean price swept us.. Don't get me wrong we are the worse team but without price we pick up 2 wins against them this year I bet. A split would have been the case. Price is a MONSTER and if the habs don't choke like usual he will be the reason
They almost got bounced in first round of their last one lack of Hall of game talent ride quick to too many wins they are great in playoffs especially quick but they are no where even close to the best teams assembled in the 2000s just because you win the cup doesn't mean you were the best notice I left out multiple cup champions. It's funny too cuz I'm a kings fan have been since 2007-08.. But they are not in the top 5 and I really don't think they deserve honorable mention either.
I didn't add that devils team because it was 99-00 but 00-01 Avs are in the consideration too. There's a few teams up there with 01-02 wings. I agree with you that there are others. Hell even that 06-07 ducks roster was pretty stacked and won the cup
Don't retire jerseys... Maybe only 98 and one or two others...
But I don't see the problem with a kid wanting to switch numbers mid career especially if it's just becoming available... Why are ppl so against players wishing to add their legacy to a number already prominent?
For example what's wrong with a player adding their legacy to a number? Let's say Cole knows who's worn the 77 lately. He has two options, stick with his number or chose that one if he'd like wearing that number. If he'd enjoy ripping the 77 after those great linemen why should we deny him simply because we don't like the legends concept? I think it's very different, Cole would be CHOOSING to add HIS legacy to that number as so many others have done. Run it just how you run the #1 and #2.
I see no problems with players wanting to create a new legacy(Peppers) or adding to an old one(Funchess) it's not the legends concept they don't even have to earn it even necessarily... They are just adding themselves into the michigan greats story one way or the other. I happen to love seeing 77 on a LT or 1 on our best WR or 2 on a DB.... I guess I don't see why everyone's so angered by this
Not even close to the same wavelength. Him gleans way more info at least subtly into his pressers and just how he carries himself, how he speaks, his tone and clarity and his control..... All things Home lacked in pressers harbaugh has.
I'll be one to say fine and agree with you that perhaps both got the same amount of info into the public(while I'll let go of that argument I still feel like I learn more from Harbaugh) but Harbaugh does so without sounding incompetent and without appearing ignorant or overwhelmed. I'll take a coach that does this over a coach that sounded like he didn't remember what happened earlier that day.
Hoke's a great guy don't get me wrong. But harbaughs lack if info as you put it is EXTREMELY more bearable than hokes...
Greens problem isn't speed for one.... He's no Chris Johnson but he is pretty fast especially for how big he is.
Two you've never really seen Isaac take a snap and he's also quite fast from his highlights and one season at USC. Smith is the slow RB but I mean his running style suits him. Do our running backs have a legit burner? No but saying they are all slow as molasses and then saying Shallman? Oh my goodness lol. I happen to disagree with just about everything you said. The only thing I agree with is that dymonte could be nice on O and obviously peppers would. But saying that Green and Isaac are slow... Just lol.
Actually drake is only a straight line back he has track speed, not quickness. Green looks way quicker in his cuts but doesn't have the top end speed. Anyways almost everything you said lacked evidence and it seems you're just salty about the two frosh RBs from 2013 and Isaac which the Isaac part makes no sense at all.
Luke wasn't drafted so zero reason or motivation to leave early... Hyman had 35 points combined in 3 years... So even tho he was drafted Florida wasn't pressuring him whatsoever to leave early. Larkins situation is completely different
That ppl are willing to trash a kid basically for not meeting hype he never asked for. Most ppl are mad about things out of his control. He was a terrible blocker. Guess what some ppl just can't block just like some ppl just won't run a 4.4 as a line backer (Morgan) that doesn't make them bad.
Now add on to this that he's playing under a clearly incompetent staff... As an athlete I've faced similar situations and that is emotionally draining. It can affect your play as it did to multiple guys not just Funchess.
Now add on the fact that his coaches got him injured in garbage time, now your trust for the coaching wavers. This affects you in the sense that maybe they did try to teach Funchess to care about blocking but if he doesn't fully trust or respect the coaches they can't get 100% out of him
Now add that he clearly wasn't utilized correctly by either OC. He's getting blasted over the middle while he's already injured and that's not his game. You can be all mad about him
Not being physical but I don't think that warrants bashing him non stop.
So after all this he plays almost every game, makes plays like the gif above, gets no help from his team or QB, the coaches continue to prove they are overwhelmed and he's still making plays(the psu catch) with broken toes. So he knows all this and ppl continue to bash him.. Ya my morale would drop real quick too. I don't think he was the next Braylon Edwards but denying that this kid had talent and saying he had zero effort is just ignorant to me at least. This kid worked his whole life to make the NFL I think he knows it takes more than pure skill. He faced adversity and it got to him and because of this we criticize his character? Everybody makes mistakes. Funchess was in a horrible situation with staff and team and it got him down. Big deal. I'm glad he was at UM for three years and hope he makes it at the NFL. I wish we coulda seen the potential but I won't hate him simply cuz he wasn't Braylon like so many ppl on this board
On your couch pal... Bet you that kid worked harder to get where he was than you ever have in your life. I get if you were upset about how he turned out but making fun of a kid or even an adult for doing something that takes more dedication than you could even fathom is not the answer if after all this coming out and this article if that's all you have too say, then I'm sorry for you and hope one day you understand just how hard Funchess clearly worked under the circumstances he was faced with.
I'd like to see red leave this year but if he choses to stay I think that's fine. No reason to can the guy unless it's for Mel or better and I think red would step down if you came to him and said... "Look... We can get Mel, right now, let us do this"
I've watched an Andy Murray practice and MET him he gave us his coaching style and told us of his points based system for intangibles and stats such as blocked shots, clearing the zone etc. I've also seen Red coach a practice and talked to his assistants about their system. One coach places more emphasis on the D end and the other on the O end. I bet you can guess who's who? So I'd say reds had more college success than Murray and lately the D have been to bad to overcome. That's on Red for recruiting only not coaching or development. So yea cool man you saw Murray? I've talked to michigans, ferris' and WMUs coaches.
Hoke brought in the talent- then didn't develop them AT ALL. In fact kids went backwards(Morris)
Red hasn't brought in high level talent- develops it into an around .500 team anyways.
So really there's no comparison still... One coach had talent couldn't use it. The other didn't have it and remains .500 consistently. And the second coach has NCs under his belt so excuse me if I don't force him out or beg him to leave
Fails developing them as this whole team looks better than they've been in the past. He fails at talent acquisition most likely because he's old and young kids don't relate to him. I personally don't believe that is cause to beg a coach to leave on his own especially one as great as Red was. Just my opinion I guess
Trying to deflect blame from red he is indeed in charge of ACQUIRING the talent as well as coaching it. I do blame him for recruiting. There were multiple ppl in this thread that stated the talents there and THATS why red needed to go... I highly disagreed.
Only if the players listen and ADAPT. if you truly believe Red and his staff aren't telling the players the things you stated you're crazy. I actually think it's just as much their talent levels as their mental mistakes causing them to fail in the D end
Red wasn't to blame for talent deficiencies I was saying it to the multiple ppl on this board who seem to think we had talent to develop.. We don't and is Red partially to blame? Absolutely
Our best defenseman for 3 years running has been a Freshman... These guys back there wouldn't make the last pairing on teams like UND and the top 10 and even Minnesota!
Cuz I see NO connection in your statement... Hoke was a new coach with no success had earned nothing except one BCS bowl win then began endangering players, and lack of preparation due to incompetence or overwhelming. I just gave reasons why these aren't even close to the things going wrong with the team and still said Reds time is done... I was all for hoke getting canned he wasn't a power 5 coach I didn't like the hire in the first place.
So in short your comment makes no sense there are zero parallels in these coaching speculations
Really frustrates me.. So many fans because it's Michigan and not because they understand hockey. To be perfectly honest I stay away from the main board stuff on the hockey team as well as it's good enough for fans to understand but not nearly in depth enough to do hockey justice. This teams problem is not Coaching....
This team the previous two years did not have normal talent level like so many ppl think. They think simply because they have an NHL team next to their name they are suppose to be good to great. So not the case. last year and the year before the talent was way down. The level was careers in the Farm teams not on the big club. ESPECIALLY true when looking at our D. The last three years we've had only 1 talented D man on the back end(Merrill, Trouba, and now Werenski) that's just not cutting it when your goalies are serviceable only on their "good" days. These are backup backup plans. Racine had one good ten game stretch but he was always a bad goalie. Nags actually has talent but his inconsistency is horrendous. He actually was thinking he wouldn't be drafted. That's the talent we had at goalie. Mix that with an avg at best d core you're gonna give up lots of goals.
The system this team runs works and works well when the D men play within the system but any system will fail with the lapses in judgement these D men are making. The forwards actually have real talent and real depth. Larkin, hyman, Compher, copp, and Motte all being top prospects for their owners. Then guys with experience like lynch mixed in and your 3rd line actually have scorers on it. That's talent that wasn't there 1 and 2 years ago. Do I think red is done? Absolutely. But don't give me this crap that he's an old washed up man and we should have seen the frozen four the last three years that's bull. This is actually the first year I got mad and thought reds team had a meltdown. But even this team doesn't have the talent of reds winning teams so don't give me the story that the talents been there. For 4 years it hasn't as we've missed out on guys for juniors more lately too. Red is fine if he wants to finish his contract he's earned that. These boys just need to learn to finish games and win. Experience is the only thing that can help that in hockey.
Is their profession, the very idea of a blog is a less professional take on things so I think ppl are being to harsh on Brian. Not saying they can't disagree with his method but to bash him as a person for basically sort of doing his job seems equally as bad
That situation was a little crazier than how you just glossed over it. I had just become a member when it went down and I still chuckle a little today about it
We will agree to disagree. Nothing in this world is always "negative" for that matter nothing in this world is always "positive" doing anything to get or stop something doesn't have to be negative or positive it could be either.
Now if you'd like to debate whether what Brian did to stop this idea is negative or positive that's different but saying "always negative" is a big generalization
Recent Comments
They have less than stellar goaltending and their D core(due to management not picking D) is way below average. Those kids would have been sick anywhere else, they have no help. The talent is their the mix is not. Not even close
Toss him because plays like that are unnecessary the ONLY thing that can come of that play is a broken wrist. Toss him for the concept. No need for plays like that in hockey.
Yes stone sold it(less than anyone might think) but Subban didn't slap he hacked hard. I'd toss him for just being dumb. I think it was the right call take these plays out of the game
You must take into account Save percentage, GAA(which actually is derived from D play also not just goalies), and wins.
Mrazek clearly has a much better goals agains average, so either he's much better or the team plays better in front of Mrazek. Neither bodes well for Jimmy.
Win loss record would be heavily in favor of mrazek if the offense wouldn't have disappeared as soon as he got the call up. This is no coincidence either we've lost Cole Abby, datsyuk, Z, sheahan for stretches. All major contributors.
Your analysis is far too ignorant of other AT LEAST equally important variables. The stats as a whole point in Mrazeks favor. Whether that's due to him or the team(it's both IMO) doesn't matter. I won't draw a conclusion cuz there would be positives to both, but your conclusion is so biased and lacking critical data it's funny
Teams like OTT or NYR or NYI or PIT we Match up way better with. Either streaky goalies or iffy D cores even if forwards are strong
Islanders: young D core besides boychuk who's old. Young forwards but good depth. However if you shut down Tavares line they tend to faulted and halak has been iffy of late
Ottawa: I think almost anyone would disagree and I get why. But one team simply doesn't keep a streak like that going forever. They are due for a comeback to reality. Also iffy d core beyond Karlsson and Hamburgler will catch the same phenomena as the team. Their forwards don't scare me at all and look for their rookies(Hoffman, stone, etc) to hit a playoff wall similar to the likes of Tatar and nyquist. They've never experienced the atmosphere before.
Beyond those teams obviously the Pens but that wasn't even a remote chance of playing them. Or the islanders either I guess. But I'd play those four teams before Tampa, MTL, or WAS. Those teams D core and tampas quick strike offense scare me. We need to be able to score cuz I don't fully trust D and not goaltending at all.
2. 2000-01 Avalanche.. Very good
3. 2012-13 Blackhawks
4. 2007-08 Red wings
5. 2007-08 Penguins
Ranking based off roster, regular season and playoff success combined
HM: 02-03 Senators, 02-03 devils, 03-04 Lightning, 03-04 Red wings, 06-07 ducks, 10-11 bruins, 09-10 Blackhawks, 08-09 Penguins
But I don't see the problem with a kid wanting to switch numbers mid career especially if it's just becoming available... Why are ppl so against players wishing to add their legacy to a number already prominent?
For example what's wrong with a player adding their legacy to a number? Let's say Cole knows who's worn the 77 lately. He has two options, stick with his number or chose that one if he'd like wearing that number. If he'd enjoy ripping the 77 after those great linemen why should we deny him simply because we don't like the legends concept? I think it's very different, Cole would be CHOOSING to add HIS legacy to that number as so many others have done. Run it just how you run the #1 and #2.
I see no problems with players wanting to create a new legacy(Peppers) or adding to an old one(Funchess) it's not the legends concept they don't even have to earn it even necessarily... They are just adding themselves into the michigan greats story one way or the other. I happen to love seeing 77 on a LT or 1 on our best WR or 2 on a DB.... I guess I don't see why everyone's so angered by this
I'll be one to say fine and agree with you that perhaps both got the same amount of info into the public(while I'll let go of that argument I still feel like I learn more from Harbaugh) but Harbaugh does so without sounding incompetent and without appearing ignorant or overwhelmed. I'll take a coach that does this over a coach that sounded like he didn't remember what happened earlier that day.
Hoke's a great guy don't get me wrong. But harbaughs lack if info as you put it is EXTREMELY more bearable than hokes...
Two you've never really seen Isaac take a snap and he's also quite fast from his highlights and one season at USC. Smith is the slow RB but I mean his running style suits him. Do our running backs have a legit burner? No but saying they are all slow as molasses and then saying Shallman? Oh my goodness lol. I happen to disagree with just about everything you said. The only thing I agree with is that dymonte could be nice on O and obviously peppers would. But saying that Green and Isaac are slow... Just lol.
Actually drake is only a straight line back he has track speed, not quickness. Green looks way quicker in his cuts but doesn't have the top end speed. Anyways almost everything you said lacked evidence and it seems you're just salty about the two frosh RBs from 2013 and Isaac which the Isaac part makes no sense at all.
Now add on to this that he's playing under a clearly incompetent staff... As an athlete I've faced similar situations and that is emotionally draining. It can affect your play as it did to multiple guys not just Funchess.
Now add on the fact that his coaches got him injured in garbage time, now your trust for the coaching wavers. This affects you in the sense that maybe they did try to teach Funchess to care about blocking but if he doesn't fully trust or respect the coaches they can't get 100% out of him
Now add that he clearly wasn't utilized correctly by either OC. He's getting blasted over the middle while he's already injured and that's not his game. You can be all mad about him
Not being physical but I don't think that warrants bashing him non stop.
So after all this he plays almost every game, makes plays like the gif above, gets no help from his team or QB, the coaches continue to prove they are overwhelmed and he's still making plays(the psu catch) with broken toes. So he knows all this and ppl continue to bash him.. Ya my morale would drop real quick too. I don't think he was the next Braylon Edwards but denying that this kid had talent and saying he had zero effort is just ignorant to me at least. This kid worked his whole life to make the NFL I think he knows it takes more than pure skill. He faced adversity and it got to him and because of this we criticize his character? Everybody makes mistakes. Funchess was in a horrible situation with staff and team and it got him down. Big deal. I'm glad he was at UM for three years and hope he makes it at the NFL. I wish we coulda seen the potential but I won't hate him simply cuz he wasn't Braylon like so many ppl on this board
Red hasn't brought in high level talent- develops it into an around .500 team anyways.
So really there's no comparison still... One coach had talent couldn't use it. The other didn't have it and remains .500 consistently. And the second coach has NCs under his belt so excuse me if I don't force him out or beg him to leave
So in short your comment makes no sense there are zero parallels in these coaching speculations
This team the previous two years did not have normal talent level like so many ppl think. They think simply because they have an NHL team next to their name they are suppose to be good to great. So not the case. last year and the year before the talent was way down. The level was careers in the Farm teams not on the big club. ESPECIALLY true when looking at our D. The last three years we've had only 1 talented D man on the back end(Merrill, Trouba, and now Werenski) that's just not cutting it when your goalies are serviceable only on their "good" days. These are backup backup plans. Racine had one good ten game stretch but he was always a bad goalie. Nags actually has talent but his inconsistency is horrendous. He actually was thinking he wouldn't be drafted. That's the talent we had at goalie. Mix that with an avg at best d core you're gonna give up lots of goals.
The system this team runs works and works well when the D men play within the system but any system will fail with the lapses in judgement these D men are making. The forwards actually have real talent and real depth. Larkin, hyman, Compher, copp, and Motte all being top prospects for their owners. Then guys with experience like lynch mixed in and your 3rd line actually have scorers on it. That's talent that wasn't there 1 and 2 years ago. Do I think red is done? Absolutely. But don't give me this crap that he's an old washed up man and we should have seen the frozen four the last three years that's bull. This is actually the first year I got mad and thought reds team had a meltdown. But even this team doesn't have the talent of reds winning teams so don't give me the story that the talents been there. For 4 years it hasn't as we've missed out on guys for juniors more lately too. Red is fine if he wants to finish his contract he's earned that. These boys just need to learn to finish games and win. Experience is the only thing that can help that in hockey.
Now if you'd like to debate whether what Brian did to stop this idea is negative or positive that's different but saying "always negative" is a big generalization