Hockey Rhetoric

I’m not too sure what Sean Avery did to the players of the Dallas Stars to make them hate him so much. He wasn’t exactly producing extraordinary numbers but he’s never been a very prolific scorer. It certainly didn’t do his reputation any good however when many of the Dallas leaders supported his permanent banishment from the organization just a couple months into his new 4-year contract. At the time of Avery’s publicized departure, the Stars were one of the worst teams in the league. Forty games later, they are battling for the playoffs.

So Avery is now a Ranger again, having been picked up off waivers. What exactly is Glenn Sather thinking? Avery was obviously a cancer to the Stars, a team known for having strong leadership. The Rangers need scoring forwards and capable defensemen and Sean Avery is supposed to be the answer? He’ll give the team plenty of opportunities on the power-play by drawing penalties but he also takes a considerable amount of penalties. Avery is more talented than most instigators but when you have a guy on your team like Avery, he becomes one your team’s figureheads. The other players on your team will watch Avery and match his tempo. Why would you want a guy like Avery emotionally leading your team when you have Chris Drury?

Speaking of Drury, I can’t help but wonder, with all the chaos surrounding the Rangers this season, what Chris Drury is thinking about this. He’s just a role player on this team. There are too many powerful influences directing this team for Chris Drury to be a true difference maker. It’s pretty much the worst situation for him in terms of taking advantage of his potential. Drury is expected to put up numbers first and foremost and lead by example. Do you think he wants to play with Zherdev or Avery? Drury leaves it on the ice every game but he’s not talented like any of the superstars in this league. Drury scores because he works harder and plays smarter than his opponents. He’s been ineffective as a Ranger because there are too many different personalities, not enough unity, and not enough skill in that locker room. » Read the rest of this entry «

Unless the team is in an unthinkable slump or it seems as though the coach has lost control of the locker room, coaching changes should only happen during the offseason. Owners and general managers need to understand that coaches are dealing with professional athletes; everyone is essentially trying hard if not for the team then for themselves to ensure they get paid. Coaching in the NHL is different than any other sport. It’s not about designing plays. It’s about the big picture – playing a style, implementing a system. Those things don’t develop overnight. So when you fire a coach midseason, you’re basically saying you made a huge mistake and you want to cut your losses for the season. You’re basically throwing your season away. I always wonder when coaches get fired if the owners or GMs have forgotten why they hired that particular coach in the first place. And if they haven’t forgotten, has the coach really failed to do what you expected him to do or is it that the coach’s plan wasn’t what was expected? » Read the rest of this entry «