There was an eye-opening quote about the second
line cener position from Tom Renney today:
"We're going to continue to look for it. You'd
think it's in your lineup. But it's possible it's
not, and you can only guess your way through that
need for so long."
On the surface, it's a vanilla quote - Renney is
saying a talented second line center may not be
on his roster.
But the context here is that under Renney, every
single younger player has regressed or stagnated
this season, which questions the coach's ability
to identify and develop young talent.
Let's review ...
Henrik Lundqvist
After a rookie season with a GAA of 2.24 and a
save percentage of 92%, Lundqvist has tumbled
to the ice with 2.83 GAA and 90% SVP.
Petr Prucha
After scoring 30 goals in 68 games in his rookie
campaign, Petr has lit the lamp only 10 times in
46 games, coupled with a -10 plus/minus.
Fedor Tyutin
Tyutin posted 26 points (6-19-25) in 77 games last
season, and has slipped with 11 points (2-9-11)
in 48 games with a disappointing -10 in plus/minus.
Adam Hall
Hall scored 29 points (14-15-29) in 75 games in
Nashville, but that production has diminished to
11 points in 45 games here in NY.
Blair Betts
With ten points in 66 games last year, Betts'
statistical production has stagnated with 7 points
in 48 games so far this season.
Marcel Hossa
Last year, Hossa put up 16 points in 64 games;
and has slipped remarkably to 5 points in 46 games.
Jason Ward
28 points last season, yet Ward has fallen to
10 points in 45 games this season.
Ryan Hollweg
Hollweg's no points this season isn't a marked
slip from last year's 5 points, but it should be
noted that Hollweg was a point-per-game scorer
throughout his junior career.
Prospects
The Dubinsky of prior years, Immonen and Dawes,
had a cup of coffee in NY before it was decided
that neither was ready to contribute this season.
An Inevitable Conclusion
Tom Renney is a likeable guy, and it's obvious
that the media beat writers want him to succeed,
which is why he's been spared criticism.
And he deserves quite a bit of credit for last
season, when the team's energy was a great balance
of managing a superstar and the excitement gained
by giving younger players their first legit chance.
But at what point can someone look at this season's
numbers in context and in their totality and not
point to coaching?
At what point can it not be concluded that the
expectations of this season has wilted his abilities
as a coach, particularly to develop younger talent?
Up until now, I've been one trying to give him the
benefit of the doubt because of last season's
success.
But the more he scapegoats his roster and specific
players, the more he brings attention that his
coaching must be criticized by the same standard.
eMail this entry!
|
Recent Articles
|
|
|