Before I get into the game, it was a nice moment to see Ferris State’s president and about 350 people at the game tonight. I had just interviewed Bob Daniels a few days back, below is the embed.
Interview with Bob Daniels of Ferris State
so, onto the game. The power play has run dry for 2 straight games, and tonight we added a 3rd period with a total of 4 shots. Talbot kept the guys in it, Raymond is hitting a stride, but this is painful. Apart from the “we’re in a rebuild” comments, the team has taken a step backward in almost every area.
The coming weeks will be telling as to whether management just wants to ride this all the way down or try and reverse course. Boston has won 2 straight with Sacco (but also have immensely more talent throughout the lineup). Detroit has players who really don’t look like they have any idea what they are doing out there right now. That isn’t a remark about rookies, either.
There are deals to be made, and possibly starting with the bench boss at least get something in place to stabilize the team. It’s not meant to be callous, there just seems to be no common thread shift to shift. I watched a puck reversal play. The 3 players in the neutral zone were all over the place. Passes were missed, turnovers seemed just to add up. That, to me, is a coaching issue.
The better coaches (opinion) will do a drill until players know exactly where to be as the play continues. You have breakdowns, everybody does, but this team just looks scattered. Not to belabor the point, but in the conversation with Watson he mentioned “no days off” at this point. Yesterday, 5 skaters and 2 goalies came to practice. This isn’t a team that needs to be taking those days off right now.
Full marks to Raymond as he find his game again. His insanely quick release is a beauty. I love watching him when he’s just in it and going. It’s a personal opinion that Tarasenko needs to move off of the top line. I don’t know who you replace him with to be fair. He just seems a step behind (but had a nice assist on the Raymond goal).
The frustration doesn’t lie in the rebuild as those comment inevitably pour in. It’s in a team that still has no real identity (well, not one you would advertise). Kasper is gutting himself trying to grab a permanent spot and I love his compete. Kane really looks like he lost a step. It seemed like a summer of training and a full camp would help but it hasn’t panned out that way. There are too many issues to fix, but a change in direction may help at least get everyone on the same page.
Let me know your thoughts. Is there a case that some sort of unifying voice is needed in the locker room? Would a stronger voice behind the bench bring some stability? Let me know in the comment.
1st Period goals:
At 8:33 Boston scores first as the league’s worst power play beat the league’s worst PK. 1-0 BOS
With just 57 seconds left, Raymond scored on a shot from the side of the right circle after a nice pass from Tarasenko. His release was instant, just grip it and rip it. 1-1
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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