Knuckles Muldoon
12-06-2006, 01:31 AM
And when I am not happy, I tend to make long posts. Maybe you'd like to head to the fridge and grab a snack, because this is going to take a while.
The game tonight against Tri-Cities was NAUSEATING.
I would like to absolve the following players who played hard and well and gave the requisite effort tonight: Michal Repik, Mario Bliznak, Brett Festerling, Milan Lucic, Brent Regner, Jon Blum.
Now, let's have some fun.
What the hell is wrong with this team? They played like they did not give a damn if they won or lost. It was sickening. After two losses in a row, and three in their last four games, it would seem like a Tuesday game at home against TC would provide the opportunity to right the ship. But the players didn't care. This team has gotten so blase and lazy, its maddening. They just aren't interested in working hard it seems. If it isn't a paint-by-the-numbers win against some lousy team, they appear disinterested. They've taken winning for granted, except now they're not winning anymore. It's very disappointing watching this once hard-working team cut corners routinely these days. They look no better than the Giants of 2002-2003 right now, and that is a sad commentary. I don't enjoy calling players out, but against better judgement, I'm going to do it.
Tim Kraus - Well, we've returned to the lazy, non-committed Tim of years past. Apparently Tim seems to feel like his place as the #1 centre is his God-given right and not the privilege that it truly is. Tim has a ton of talent, but it is very obvious that at times he relies solely on that talent to do his bidding for him, and he avoids putting in the work ethic and leadership to go along with it. There are times when I just hate his eye-rolling, argue-with-the-ref BS, like he's above it all. If he doesn't want to be here, I wish he'd lets Bones know soon so that he has a chance to ship Tim's moody ass out of here. Because as a #1 centre, he often sets a horrible example of effort and commitment, and when it happens, its very noticeable. And I'm sick of it.
Cody Franson - No points in the last 5 games, and a ton of turnovers with the puck. And how about that brutal read on TC's second goal tonight? A mickey-mouse effort at best. The game has become too easy for Cody here, and he has become mentally lazy. He doesn't play with an edge at all; it's all auto-pilot for him. And he's not improving as a player, and in fact, is regressing. And as the best player in the Giants lineup, if he doesn't want to take ownership of the performance of the PP, maybe its time to sit his lazy ass down for a while. For all his immense talent, his points and his status in this league, he has under-performed very noticeably this season.
Brendan Mikkelson - After trying to give him every benefit of the doubt, its clear that Brendan is an overrated player. His problem is that his legs, hands and brain all work at different speeds. A big, strong guy who can skate like him should have the league by the balls, but his play in general leaves me cold. Million-dollar legs, two-dollar hands and a ten-cent brain. I hope he doesn't blow his signing bonus too quickly, because when Anaheim figures out he isn't an NHL-calibre player, he could be a lifer in the AHL. He's become the Giants giveaway king.
Kyle Lamb - Usually, I have no qualms about his play. He can skate, score a bit, pass the puck well, throw some hits, kill penalties and work hard. But as a 20 year-old, when the team needs to step up its performance after a few losses, he has to be front and center; it comes with the territory. He was a no-show tonight. His line with Czibere and Machacek was invisible. They could have all stayed home and played Yahtzee for all they did out there. The effort was embarrassing.
Spencer Machacek - What has happened to him? Last year, he was my favourite player with his endless hustle and dedication to doing the dirty work. But I guess Spencer doesn't do windows anymore. Or floors. Or anything else. He has all but disappeared this season. Very diasappointing. He used to throw more hits in a game than he now throws in a month. He looks like a run-of-the-mill 12-goal scorer this year. I hear he's a smart kid. Obviously smart enough to read all the nice press clippings he received last year. Because that's what he's living off of, not anything he's doing on the ice these days, that's for sure. If he doesn't pick it up and fast, he's going to be VERY disappointed being a lower-round draft pick.
Mitch Czibere - He started the year nicely playing with confidence, skating like the wind and handling the puck well. But slowly over time he's regressed to being the same non-descript player he was last year as a 16 year old. The only thing he's doing these days is greasing the skids for his exit as tradebait for someone who can be more useful come playoff time.
Kenndal McArdle - Disappointed in his play so far. I always thought he was a thick body who was a load to handle. So far he's getting knocked around like a 9 year old girl. I haven't seen much offensive flair yet, either. I'll give him time, but he may not be the last upgrade we need to make up front. Quite simply, we will need a lot from him this year and suddenly, I'm not sure he has what we need.
John Flatters - Still runs around, still don't want to see him on the ice in a close game. We could use an upgrade here.
JD Watt - He's in and out. As a 19 year old, he'd better find a way to be 'in' more often than 'out', goals aside. There's no taking nights off for this guy. Again, it comes with the territory of being a very capable vet.
Garet Hunt - His play has tailed off. If he doesn't bust his can every night, he's not particularly useful. That's just the way it is when you're 5'8" with not much talent.
Tyson Sexsmith - He's running with the ball now. Unfortunately, he looks like he's fumbling it. If he doesn't step up, Kyle Moir will have him relegated to the bench come January 10.
Overall, this team has taken several steps back since the first few weeks of the season. The once-vaunted Giants forecheck doesn't exist anymore. What once was a pack of rabid dogs is now a pack of middle-aged spaniels who keep looking for the next guy to do the dirty work. And the PP is a mess. I wish Don would drop the '80-foot pass to a guy who's standing still at the opposition blueline' play. Springing a pass to a guy who's standing still doesn't work. I think there's a law of physics that proves that.
As well, I've decided that I don't need to see Kenton Dulle anymore. I'd just prefer we dress James Wright every night to get experience under his belt. He's a key to the future, and I'd just as soon see him as opposed to an 18 year old who tries, but doesn't accomplish anything.
And from what I hear, the Everett Silvertips are only getting better and better. Their D is impenetrable, they've got a hellacious 16 year old, plenty of scoring, a great goalie, and a coach who won't let them forget how badly the Giants swatted them aside last year in the playoffs. They're not looking too satisfied, and are setting a benchmark of play that the Giants right now would need a telescope to see.
Time to step it back up, boys. Or you'll be very surprised at how quickly this season could vanish down the drain. Not to mention the extreme embarrassment that would go along with it.
Maybe, just maybe, its time to trade some player away who thought his position on this team was set in stone. I think that'd make a fine reality check.
/rant
The game tonight against Tri-Cities was NAUSEATING.
I would like to absolve the following players who played hard and well and gave the requisite effort tonight: Michal Repik, Mario Bliznak, Brett Festerling, Milan Lucic, Brent Regner, Jon Blum.
Now, let's have some fun.
What the hell is wrong with this team? They played like they did not give a damn if they won or lost. It was sickening. After two losses in a row, and three in their last four games, it would seem like a Tuesday game at home against TC would provide the opportunity to right the ship. But the players didn't care. This team has gotten so blase and lazy, its maddening. They just aren't interested in working hard it seems. If it isn't a paint-by-the-numbers win against some lousy team, they appear disinterested. They've taken winning for granted, except now they're not winning anymore. It's very disappointing watching this once hard-working team cut corners routinely these days. They look no better than the Giants of 2002-2003 right now, and that is a sad commentary. I don't enjoy calling players out, but against better judgement, I'm going to do it.
Tim Kraus - Well, we've returned to the lazy, non-committed Tim of years past. Apparently Tim seems to feel like his place as the #1 centre is his God-given right and not the privilege that it truly is. Tim has a ton of talent, but it is very obvious that at times he relies solely on that talent to do his bidding for him, and he avoids putting in the work ethic and leadership to go along with it. There are times when I just hate his eye-rolling, argue-with-the-ref BS, like he's above it all. If he doesn't want to be here, I wish he'd lets Bones know soon so that he has a chance to ship Tim's moody ass out of here. Because as a #1 centre, he often sets a horrible example of effort and commitment, and when it happens, its very noticeable. And I'm sick of it.
Cody Franson - No points in the last 5 games, and a ton of turnovers with the puck. And how about that brutal read on TC's second goal tonight? A mickey-mouse effort at best. The game has become too easy for Cody here, and he has become mentally lazy. He doesn't play with an edge at all; it's all auto-pilot for him. And he's not improving as a player, and in fact, is regressing. And as the best player in the Giants lineup, if he doesn't want to take ownership of the performance of the PP, maybe its time to sit his lazy ass down for a while. For all his immense talent, his points and his status in this league, he has under-performed very noticeably this season.
Brendan Mikkelson - After trying to give him every benefit of the doubt, its clear that Brendan is an overrated player. His problem is that his legs, hands and brain all work at different speeds. A big, strong guy who can skate like him should have the league by the balls, but his play in general leaves me cold. Million-dollar legs, two-dollar hands and a ten-cent brain. I hope he doesn't blow his signing bonus too quickly, because when Anaheim figures out he isn't an NHL-calibre player, he could be a lifer in the AHL. He's become the Giants giveaway king.
Kyle Lamb - Usually, I have no qualms about his play. He can skate, score a bit, pass the puck well, throw some hits, kill penalties and work hard. But as a 20 year-old, when the team needs to step up its performance after a few losses, he has to be front and center; it comes with the territory. He was a no-show tonight. His line with Czibere and Machacek was invisible. They could have all stayed home and played Yahtzee for all they did out there. The effort was embarrassing.
Spencer Machacek - What has happened to him? Last year, he was my favourite player with his endless hustle and dedication to doing the dirty work. But I guess Spencer doesn't do windows anymore. Or floors. Or anything else. He has all but disappeared this season. Very diasappointing. He used to throw more hits in a game than he now throws in a month. He looks like a run-of-the-mill 12-goal scorer this year. I hear he's a smart kid. Obviously smart enough to read all the nice press clippings he received last year. Because that's what he's living off of, not anything he's doing on the ice these days, that's for sure. If he doesn't pick it up and fast, he's going to be VERY disappointed being a lower-round draft pick.
Mitch Czibere - He started the year nicely playing with confidence, skating like the wind and handling the puck well. But slowly over time he's regressed to being the same non-descript player he was last year as a 16 year old. The only thing he's doing these days is greasing the skids for his exit as tradebait for someone who can be more useful come playoff time.
Kenndal McArdle - Disappointed in his play so far. I always thought he was a thick body who was a load to handle. So far he's getting knocked around like a 9 year old girl. I haven't seen much offensive flair yet, either. I'll give him time, but he may not be the last upgrade we need to make up front. Quite simply, we will need a lot from him this year and suddenly, I'm not sure he has what we need.
John Flatters - Still runs around, still don't want to see him on the ice in a close game. We could use an upgrade here.
JD Watt - He's in and out. As a 19 year old, he'd better find a way to be 'in' more often than 'out', goals aside. There's no taking nights off for this guy. Again, it comes with the territory of being a very capable vet.
Garet Hunt - His play has tailed off. If he doesn't bust his can every night, he's not particularly useful. That's just the way it is when you're 5'8" with not much talent.
Tyson Sexsmith - He's running with the ball now. Unfortunately, he looks like he's fumbling it. If he doesn't step up, Kyle Moir will have him relegated to the bench come January 10.
Overall, this team has taken several steps back since the first few weeks of the season. The once-vaunted Giants forecheck doesn't exist anymore. What once was a pack of rabid dogs is now a pack of middle-aged spaniels who keep looking for the next guy to do the dirty work. And the PP is a mess. I wish Don would drop the '80-foot pass to a guy who's standing still at the opposition blueline' play. Springing a pass to a guy who's standing still doesn't work. I think there's a law of physics that proves that.
As well, I've decided that I don't need to see Kenton Dulle anymore. I'd just prefer we dress James Wright every night to get experience under his belt. He's a key to the future, and I'd just as soon see him as opposed to an 18 year old who tries, but doesn't accomplish anything.
And from what I hear, the Everett Silvertips are only getting better and better. Their D is impenetrable, they've got a hellacious 16 year old, plenty of scoring, a great goalie, and a coach who won't let them forget how badly the Giants swatted them aside last year in the playoffs. They're not looking too satisfied, and are setting a benchmark of play that the Giants right now would need a telescope to see.
Time to step it back up, boys. Or you'll be very surprised at how quickly this season could vanish down the drain. Not to mention the extreme embarrassment that would go along with it.
Maybe, just maybe, its time to trade some player away who thought his position on this team was set in stone. I think that'd make a fine reality check.
/rant