I Have a Theory
Posted 12:36 PM ET | Comments 5
People are really wondering why the Avalanche are playing as well as they are. My theory comes down to one thing, Joe Sacco. Now hear me out on this theory, because it's not because he is such an amazing coach or has reinvented the game. I believe it's because he has a straightforward system and also has a familiarity with the players that they trust.
Relationships are irreplaceable. Sacco had a relationship with many of these players last year and there wasn't a learning period with many of them. Throw in that he was around Wolski early knows what gets him fired up, had a relationship with Jones, and others and we quickly see that there was meshing as a team/coaching staff well before this season. If we look at the list of players who have been coached by this guy before we will see that it is pretty large group of current Avs. Just ask Boudreau how moving up with players works.
The defensive scheme seems to be taking as well. Hannan feels like he has a renewed lease on his hockey career. It really felt like he didn't know what was expected from him when he was playing for Granato last year. Granato just wasn't what the Avs needed as far as a coach is concerned.
I also think that the Avs don't know that they are supposed to be bad. These guys may be young but I don't think that they care. I think the young guys are just playing their game, buying into the system and seeing what is part of winning. They will struggle this year, and at times, disappear on the score sheet and such.
This time in their career is about the potential of the future. Duchene and O'Reilly are showing that they can be NHL stars. Duchene will learn how to finish and grow into that player that he can be. O'Reilly is the type of player who gets better with better with stronger competition.
The biggest piece that was added was a goalie. Anderson is giving these young guys the space to grow and develop. The defenseman are confident in his abilities, and in turn play like it. Last night against the Oilers they tightened up and helped him get a shut out. Hannan got an assist on the Hejduk goal and the Oiler radio announcers were complaining about him all night. That is the guy we remember who was a thorn in Forsberg's side. We saw it last year once against Malkin and I hope he keeps up his play.
The reason that the Avs are far better than expected at this point in the season is because of the time Sacco spent in Lake Eerie helping the young guys leading up to this season. Because of that trust other players have bought it. The potential is there, we will see how the rest of the season plays out.
Relationships are irreplaceable. Sacco had a relationship with many of these players last year and there wasn't a learning period with many of them. Throw in that he was around Wolski early knows what gets him fired up, had a relationship with Jones, and others and we quickly see that there was meshing as a team/coaching staff well before this season. If we look at the list of players who have been coached by this guy before we will see that it is pretty large group of current Avs. Just ask Boudreau how moving up with players works.
The defensive scheme seems to be taking as well. Hannan feels like he has a renewed lease on his hockey career. It really felt like he didn't know what was expected from him when he was playing for Granato last year. Granato just wasn't what the Avs needed as far as a coach is concerned.
I also think that the Avs don't know that they are supposed to be bad. These guys may be young but I don't think that they care. I think the young guys are just playing their game, buying into the system and seeing what is part of winning. They will struggle this year, and at times, disappear on the score sheet and such.
This time in their career is about the potential of the future. Duchene and O'Reilly are showing that they can be NHL stars. Duchene will learn how to finish and grow into that player that he can be. O'Reilly is the type of player who gets better with better with stronger competition.
The biggest piece that was added was a goalie. Anderson is giving these young guys the space to grow and develop. The defenseman are confident in his abilities, and in turn play like it. Last night against the Oilers they tightened up and helped him get a shut out. Hannan got an assist on the Hejduk goal and the Oiler radio announcers were complaining about him all night. That is the guy we remember who was a thorn in Forsberg's side. We saw it last year once against Malkin and I hope he keeps up his play.
The reason that the Avs are far better than expected at this point in the season is because of the time Sacco spent in Lake Eerie helping the young guys leading up to this season. Because of that trust other players have bought it. The potential is there, we will see how the rest of the season plays out.
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19 "
23 As the Game Wears On
24 What it all Comes Down to!
27 Listening tougher than Watching
29 The Avs and Heart
30 The Game and Some other Good Stuff
24 What it all Comes Down to!
27 Listening tougher than Watching
29 The Avs and Heart
30 The Game and Some other Good Stuff
02 Look at the Kids
03 For All of the Granato haters/lovers
05 In the Big D
06 A little bit of Reality
08 The Youth Movement
10 The Pot Boils
13 Entertaining game, too bad it was a loss.
14 Talk About Centers
16 A win against the Wings
16 Second Half of a Back to Back
19 We will take the 2 points
22 Lack of Effort vs. the Cats
24 Costly vs. the Coyotes, in more ways than one.
28 2-0 Season series vs the Wings
28 Stastny Needs Surgery
03 For All of the Granato haters/lovers
05 In the Big D
06 A little bit of Reality
08 The Youth Movement
10 The Pot Boils
13 Entertaining game, too bad it was a loss.
14 Talk About Centers
16 A win against the Wings
16 Second Half of a Back to Back
19 We will take the 2 points
22 Lack of Effort vs. the Cats
24 Costly vs. the Coyotes, in more ways than one.
28 2-0 Season series vs the Wings
28 Stastny Needs Surgery
06 Look at The Avs by the Numbers
09 Work, and Some More Hard Work
10 Sidney Who? I want to see Wojtek.
17 One Bad Play
19 A fun one to watch last night
22 Goaltending, what a nightmare
31 Dreaming, to fix the Avs Problems
09 Work, and Some More Hard Work
10 Sidney Who? I want to see Wojtek.
17 One Bad Play
19 A fun one to watch last night
22 Goaltending, what a nightmare
31 Dreaming, to fix the Avs Problems
This is probably the best reasoning i've heard (compared to some other sports columnists/bloggers/tv analysts) stating the reason for the shockingly good start to the Avs season.the coach definitely has everyone playing the same page. Foote looks like a different player when compared to his play the past few years.
Sacco has contributed, but you hit the nail when you mention Anderson... without this guy I can't imagine the Avs being considerably better than last year let alone leading more touted teams like Calgary and Vancouver!
Goaltending is a big part of any teams success and Anderson has been brilliant. He started showing his ability by outplaying Vokoun at times in FLA and now look at him. The question is can they keep it up for 82 games? We'll find out.
Good read Sreek, glad to see you writing again!
also wolski stepped it up and is playing really well and great play from youngsters. And a non injured Statsny helps in replacing Sakic