If you were GM what would you do

1) Even before the discussion about Sacco comes up, I would get rid of Lefebvre. I’m sorry, but in the last 3 years, our defense has gone from (1) a heap of nothingness to (2) a small, puck-moving focus to (3) the biggest damn D-group in the league and yet if you showed me clips from any of the last 3 years, I could be forgiven for not knowing which year I was watching. The first two goals tonight (against the Oil), their player literally skated right into our crease and had multiple attempts against only Varly because Quincy (on the first) and then Winnik and Quincy (on the second) stood still and chose to use their sticks instead of their bodies to resolve the situation. Bring me a defensive-minded coach who can create solid positioning systems. The puck-movers have the skills to figure the offensive side on their own

2) Get a FT goalie coach. Obvious answer with reasons already expressed at MHH for far too long.

3) Figure out the KIND of player Duchene can excel with (not just “the best player”) and acquire him through trade or—looking ahead—FA signing. This isn’t about wanting Toews to center with Dutchy on the wing (though, c’mon… a dreamer can dream). This about determining what skill-set will compliment the talent of Duchene. As I’m flying by the seat of my pants in writing this I don’t have any suggestions right this second, but if I were a highly-paid GM, you can bet your bottom dollar that I would be asking my scouts and reviewing tape every single night.

4) Give O’Reilly a solidified “A”. Sure this may be a coach’s call, but look at what’s been done already: EJ clearly can exert himself as a factor on the ice (sometimes frustratingly). Silent Jay seems like a guy who doesn’t fuck around and knows what he’s doing in this league. I don’t have the foggiest idea why McLeod was ever given an “A” (or is still dressing for the team for that matter). But if you want to reward commitment and attitude that will help guide the future of this franchise, why oh why isn’t O’Reilly given the opportunity to do what comes naturally to him: lead by example.

5) NOW I’d get rid of Sacco. A big problem for me this season has been the (what seems like) avoidance of our defensive group to recognize and use their natural size in our favor. However, there’s one other problem that seems to creep into view far too often: the Avs have no ability to adapt. The gameplan that was executed against New Jersey was the same one put into place in Vancouver: strong forecheck, dump-and-chase, speed through the neutral zone, and shots from the point. The difference? Vancouver realized our plan and 1) got the puck out of the zone quickly, 2) clogged up the neutral zone, and 3) forced the play/shots away from the slots and more along the boards. Our difference? Once Vancouver started shutting us down, we didn’t change our approach. For some reason, we kept lobbing the puck into the zone, they scooped it up, got it out quick and created chances against us. That, to me, was the story of the 3rd period. We wanted to grind out a comeback, and they knew exactly how to deal with us.

One of my favorite “quotes” (if you want to call it that) is “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Sacco is unable to change his approach based on the team he plays.

6) Fire the Pepsi Center’s in-game marketing team and replace them with pet rocks. I love watching my team play at home, but I’ll be damned if we don’t have the stupidest and “least-getting-your-team-fired-up” commercial/intermission break games on the planet. Give me a DJ who plays music that can get you fired up instead of acting like a top-40 radio DJ. Give me some giveaways that aren’t simply shirts or vouchers for the Denver Post (oh, and don’t only give them to people in the lower-bowl or club section… how about the die-hards in the nosebleeds!) And, for the love of Spaghetti Monster, bring back Lauren Gardner (or someone of equal beauty and sports smarts). The current blonde (I haven’t even looked up her name because she bores me so much I can’t even be angry at her) is so lifeless and dull that I honestly feel ashamed if I’m sitting near out-of-town fans. “No, seriously, there are stunningly beautiful and smart women here! Honest!”

7) (Seriously, when I started writing this, it was only going to be about Lefebvre) On the same note as #6, LOWER THE DAMN TICKET PRICES! I understand economics (in a macro/micro 101 sort of way). I get that you might be drawing more profit in by selling a thousand fewer tickets at a higher price than if you dropped the price and sold-out a game. I get that. But if you filled the Can every night with people who could get behind a team, with motivation to be noisy, and had incentive to buy a jersey with “this crazy kid who hustles nonstop”s name on the back… how does that not create more profits in the long run (hell, not even the long run, from month-to-month that seems like a more lucrative way to display a sports franchise). Guy’s night out and family night’s are a simple and smart way to bring in people on a whim… but they’re only taking up 10 sections of the upper bowl. Is it that hard to offer a local kids’ sports team (any sport) bundle on a regular basis? Good grades discount for kids up through high school. Half-price for people who go to one of the 3 colleges DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOUR SPORTS ARENA! Buy one Avs ticket get a ticket to the Nuggets/Mammoth/Rapids for half-price (and vice-versa).

I’m sorry. I had a few drinks after that dismal loss to Edmonton tonight… I’m not even angry so much as frustrated with seeing the same things happen in practically every loss so far this season. I see the talent in the core of this team. I know the ceiling can be incredibly high for guys like Duchene, O’Reilly, Varly, Johnson, and Elliott. I just get this unnerving feeling that there are too many logjams that are stifling the growth of our young team. And beating a dead horse is no way to fix it.

/rant