- Seattle actually got off to a decent start in the game last night but they weren't really generating much in the way of genuine scoring chances as much as they were just possessing the puck. The effort was decent but it wasn't translating into many scoring chances. Hickman's goal on the PP was a good smart shot that came off an end board carom but I wouldn't even call that much of a scoring chance as much as it was just a smart play.
- After Freshman Danny Mumaugh gave up a couple of soft goals the team seemed to crumble. The mental state of the team appears to be in shambles right now and when things start to go poorly... things are falling apart. What should be happening... is the players pulling up their proverbial boot straps and getting back to work hitting people and flying around the ice. Instead, they appears to lose focus and energy and things just get worse. Mumaugh will have better days and the TBirds have to play for him instead of thinking he is going to do the job for them.
- Shea Theodore looks a little lost to me. Obviously, he was benched a couple of games ago down in Portland and his game just doesn't seem to be right. He was blown by for a goal last night falling for a fake shot and he was separated from the puck on several occasions in his own zone. Makes me wonder if he is hurt or something else is wrong.
- This team isn't THIS bad and some of that has to fall on Coach K. It isn't entirely his fault because coaches coach and players play. Coaches do have the ability to "push the right buttons" and right now he isn't doing it. This team is regressing instead of progressing.
- Don't look for Seattle to be trading for Alex Forsberg as rumors have it that Prince George is demanding a King's ransom to obtain him. I'm not sure how PG thinks they can bash a guy's work ethic and character and expect to get maximum value in return. IF indeed Forsberg has work ethic and character issues (and perhaps brother Jesse would know... since playing with his brother obviously didn't keep him in PG) and the Cougars are insisting on a crazy price tag... I'd just assume pass on him and find someone else. If they want Gropp... I'm game. If they want someone else... I'm passing.
Dare I say it... but if Seattle doesn't start to pull the nose up on this diving plane, we may be looking at another year outside of the playoffs. Something that seemed very improbable just a month ago.
31 comments :
I'm looking forward to getting another high first round pick that won't sign with us because we shit the bed every January.
10 losses in a row, what in the world is going on with this team? Just everything is going wrong, no puck luck, no nothing, wow, I just don't get this franchise. Was the Sho built on some type burial ground? Ever since they moved into that building(minus the half year in the first year) nothing has gone right.
Sorry I know I am in the minority, but I miss ol Mikey C and his blog, at least he held Russ's feet to the fire!
haha... yes because Russ sure seemed to care deeply what Mike had to say.
I'm betting we don't get another win until this coming Saturday at the soonest, versus Victoria, or the following Friday in Everett. What's that run up to? 12 losses? 14? Anyone placing bets?
How can a team that was decent with flashes of good in the first half fall so suddenly and totally to shit in the second half? What is it about the midpoint of the season?
Not sure what the point of Anonymous #3's comment was.
ha mike was a joke. didnt know a thing about the game, just wanted to look cool because he had a blog and he had a voice. no one said this team was going to win every game, and yes they are in a huge slump right now, more of a reason to go out and get a player that can add some scoring, thats what fans need to be preaching about. no dumbass comments about how russ is an idiot, how he doesnt know what hes doing, how its his fault for this and that. he doesnt play the game, hes not the ones giving up and then getting benched for it. its old losing, but its also old hearing the same 4 people bitching and complaining about russ. get over it, hes not going anywhere, support the team, demand trades, let your voice be heard that way instead of being ignorant and saying stupid things like i miss mike, or lets get a high draft pick so we can fuck it up. no one here is in the loop, no one knows if gropp or barzal told the birds they would sign or not.
I miss Mike, oh how time has passed Russ by. This franchise is all his fault
What a joke of a franchise...
Tyler,
I am sorry your blog turns into the place to vent. I get that people are frustrated, trust me I get it. I just don't understand how spouting negativity helps anything. I hope all these folks feel better after they bash you, Russ, the franchise (did I miss anything). I for one appreciate your posts. Thanks.
Thanks. It doesn't really bother me. I admit that is used to bother me but I've learned to laugh at it. When things are going badly, people want to find someone/something to blame and if I don't agree with that someone or something... people take it personally when they shouldn't and they lash out.
I've never avoided mentioning that there have been mistakes in the Bantam Drafts and Russ is ultimately responsible for that. I think you can criticize people like Russ while also being respectful and being fair... something Mike C couldn't and didn't understand.
I would never bash Tyler...he's providing a service that isn't found anywhere else. Thanks, Tyler. With that said, unlike Tyler, I blame Russ. This organization has been bad for many, many years and who else to blame? The kids? Not likely. They were drafted by Russ and not the other way around. Keep up the good work, Tyler. I appreciate your posts...even if you are wrong on rare occasions (not plural)...lol.
Dean, carefully re-read what I said right above your comment. How is that not blaming Russ?
I've said for about 5 years running now that the draft picks have been the source of our problems and that Russ is ultimately responsible for that.
Russ has made some savvy trades but our drafting has been very poor and, again, that ultimately falls on Russ.
Not to throw more wood on the 'blame game' fire, but I'm kind of surprised that the name Luke Lockhart never comes up in these conversations. Not that it's his fault that the organization keeps naming him captain year after year, but he has been named as the on-ice leader on each of the last 3 editions of the January dropouts. There were more than a few people who screamed last Summer about the Birds trading for a better Center on the #1 line, which never happened. Since the fans aren't allowed to hang out in the locker room, I guess we'll never know.. But it would be interesting to know whether his leadership/attitude in the face of adversity (losing streaks) plays a factor.
The reason I never bring Luke's name up is because even if he is a bad captain (I have zero proof that he is), who is really at fault? Does coach K not hold the right to swap captains as he sees fit? I would imagine that Luke's work ethic and durability play a large role in his wearing the C. Like you mentioned, it's not his fault that they keep naming him as captain.
great article about Kolesar... i love reading that this kid is estatic to play in Seattle. Barzal should take some pointers from this kid....
http://mynorthwest.com/category/thunderbirds
Trade deadline looms, if we have players that aren't competing or buying into the system give them the boot. Getting Libsbergs and Honey back can't happen too soon.
what do you suppose your going to get in trades for the players on this roster who aren't competing or buying in?
You are right Tyler...you have highlighted the poor choices made. It's the 'Russ' will never be replaced, due to his position, that has me stumped. Russ has to understand eventually that he is terrible as a GM and eventually find a new one. Unless he enjoys taking our money for no real return.
As for complaining about Russ that some are tired of...what else are we expected to do? Have these individuals looked at our record? Someone has to be blamed and blaming the players doesn't do any good.
totally agreed @ whoever wrote this "great article about Kolesar... i love reading that this kid is estatic to play in Seattle. Barzal should take some pointers from this kid....
http://mynorthwest.com/category/thunderbirds"
If you had no plans on playing in the WHL why not tell the teams that before the draft....stop wasting everyones time!!!
yup, they gotta start drafting guys that want to play. Sure its tough not to take players that are the absolute best players available but at some point Seattle has got to draft kids that want to play. I know for a fact that before the past 2 drafts there has been questions regarding the future route for Gropp and Barzal, yet Seattle still drafted them. Sure it would be EXTREMELY tough not drafting them just because Gropp is considered one of the top '96 born player in the country and also Barzal will be neck and neck with McDavid as the top '97 born in Canada. But hopefully when the next draft approaches they will draft kids that are estatic to play in the league. Well done Keegan Kolesar and Ethan Bear(1st and 2nd rounders in 2012 that have signed already). Do your thing and play hard and lead the way for other top players to sign in Seattle and make it a desirable place to play!!!
I dont put blame on Seattle's front office, shame on Gropp and Barzals family for playing games with Seattle, sign with Seattle or trade them. They clearly are dead weight at this point.
It's way too early to give up on Barzal. Can you blame their (Gropp and Barzal) families to find the best possible situation for their kids? This is a decision that will affect their lives forever.
I have faith that Barzal will sign in the offseason and it will be followed by Gropp's signing. How can Gropp pass up a chance to play with Barzal?
exactly.... i would put money on if Barzal signs, Gropp signs right after.... or vice versa... Gropp has a late birthday, so both will be eligable for 2015 NHL draft... What an unreal duo that would be with Theodore quarterbacking the PP... good lord
Lockhart leads the league. Unfortunately it is in plus/minus with a -26. As a captain, and an overage (20) player, he needs to pick up his game.
Saying Lockhart needs to pick up his game is a understatement, same with Rouse, where has his game been? You got to get somehting from your 20's and these two are nowhere to be found.
Does it really matter to complain anymore, just look at the bright side we still pay less than any other team on playoff tickets. You can't hate Russ for those savings can you?
Thoughts on the game tonight: how paper thin on talent can a team possibly be? The overagers.. Rouse's awareness was awful at times and worse at others, and Lockhart was an absolute non-factor... The captain has yet another 0 point night. Then there's the young guys.. Every time the play swings in the Birds' favor, there's always a Green, Holub, Wray, Sheen, or other inexperienced player that Spokane can manipulate and steal the puck from. That about sums it up, all.night.long.
@ KEVIN "it's way too early to give up on Barzal. Can you blame their (Gropp and Barzal) families to find the best possible situation for their kids? This is a decision that will affect their lives forever"
So are you suggesting that signing with Seattle would be a mistake? They shoud be humble and play for the team that made the investment. Shame on them and they shoul've been upfront and said they were looking at other options outside of the WHL. I find it disrespectful and rude to Seattle. As a fan I take offence.
i always refer back to Barzal's nemesis for years to come... Connor McDavid in the OHL. He was drafted to a horrible OHL team and he went there to improve the team. He is excelling and he looks like a stud points wise and the fact that he went to a garbage team to improve it.... Follow suit Barzal!!!, make Seattle better!!!
I guess Tbirds should draft players with low IQ's so there is no chance they will attend college (just kidding of course)
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