2009
This isn’t about losing to the worst team in the league. This is about becoming the worst team in the league.
Two teams desperate for wins. One team, completely falling apart.
Ducks fans everywhere are scratching their heads wondering what the problem is.
Personally, I’m at a loss for words…and I think my head is bleeding.
Reflections about the recent home stand and what is wrong with this team leave me perplexed. How do you explain what the problem is when everything is a problem?
This team is clearly lacking in confidence and trust. They are unable to focus on a team effort when there are so many players looking to make changes on their own. It’s one thing to have a team leader who steps up to boost morale. It’s another thing when everyone is trying to be a team leader and they’re pulling in different directions.
The Ducks are clearly heading in opposite directions.
On Monday night, Anaheim allowed the Toronto Maple Leafs come into the building and expose every one of their flaws. Not that Anaheim has actually been hiding any of these flaws. From the lack of power play efficiency on one end, and a pathetic attempt to killing penalties (an unacceptable amount of penalties), the Ducks are a complete mess.
I can’t imagine these losses are entirely a goaltending issue. Sure, the Ducks have given up more than their fair share of goals thus far (that’s an understatement, it’s an ALARMING number of goals), but can you blame Jonas Hiller for the loss Monday night? Can you blame a goaltender for being hung out to dry while your penalty kill, which is already terrible, is asking you to stand on your head for multiple 5 on 3 opportunities? No.
At this point, we’re all looking for answers. There must be a solution to this deep dark hole the Ducks are digging for themselves.
What exactly is plaguing the Ducks and how do you propose they fix it?
A coaching change? With a roster like the Ducks, and so many big names in the line up, how is it possible that EVERYONE is not playing well? Is it too many big named egos? Or is it a coaching staff who has lost all control?
Do you trade someone to wake the team up? If so, who? Who gets traded that will:
A) Make a big enough impact on the team?
B) Is going to bring you back something in return that will be of use to you RIGHT NOW (unlike a future draft pick)?
C) Isn’t going to ruin your future by giving up such a huge asset?
Can you justify moving a Corey Perry or a Bobby Ryan caliber player? Is it going to wake the team up if you decide to trade Petteri Nokelainen or Mike Brown?
The Ducks need a solution. Fast.
Is this rock bottom? I hope so.
GO DUCKS!!!
It comes down to the Coach. I was watching Ducks TV and seeing the despondency in the players faces after the game. In their eyes show this team doesn’t know what to do with itself. They may say different, but the body language, and the performance on the ice says it all. And it all comes down to RC. Murray, in my opinion, did what he needed to do in the off season to get a more balanced offense on paper, while losing the D that helped Anaheim get to the Cup. But the team we have now is more balanced, and maybe it’s something that RC hasn’t prepared properly for. Probably used the thought of, “Well, if what worked for us before, why can’t it work for us now?” Well…because THE DUCKS ARE A DIFFERENT TEAM NOW!!!
On paper this team is better than what we have been given. Period. And again, like last year, this start will come back to haunt us when we find ourselves fighting for that 8th playoff spot again.
This reminded me of something I noticed last night as well. I mentioned to my guest (who was awesome, by the way) as they showed a view of Getzlaf returning to the bench, and the entire bench sitting there…they did look completely disconnected. Like they don’t know each other and they don’t care. Also, that it seemed like they had no interest in whatever was going on with Carlyle. Like he didn’t exist or whatever he was saying/doing didn’t matter…he was simply there to call out line changes. It was obvious and disturbing.
Another thought I had, and you mentioned this as well…we’re dealing with a completely different team. HOWEVER, the make-up of this team is OFFENSE based. That isn’t going to work well with a coach who is very DEFENSE minded. It might be this very simple reason that things aren’t clicking.