Puck Swami
New member
Re: All Things Denver XXX
There are only a few real assistant coaches in hockey as compared to football, so if you were to make changes there, the impact could be seismic either up or down. Killer Miller has been at DU forever, and totally deserves a shot as a head coach somewhere. I am hoping he gets that chance on his terms. And Dr. Evil has done a pretty good job with the goalies since Appert left for RPI. Dave Tenzer has also paid his dues as a Operations guy, too - turning down a much more lucrative career in law. This is very a good staff, but they know that they haven't been getting it done in postseason play for years now, and they need to be open to new ideas and.or changes.
If DU does get bounced early from the NCAAs by a more talented team or a good team playing at home, I'd chalk it up to young team. But if DU gets bounced early by a team they truly should beat, then I think Gwoz (should he stay here) may need more than a "thorough review" (as happened last year after losing to RIT).
Here are 7 coaching needs that could probably help this team:
1) The Power Play -- year after year, the PP seems to be below average no matter what top-notch personnel is in there and no matter how they tweak it, it's just not at the level you'd expect for top program. The lack of a strong PP probably cost DU the league title this year, and as Badger Bob preached, you play teams even 5 on 5 but you win with special teams. DU's PK is superb, but the PP needs help. The forwards on the blueline are costing the team, not only in turnovers and breakways/odd man rushes going the other way, but in defensemen leaving the program. TJ Fast, Seabrook and Wrenn were all second round picks who left in part because they didn't get any PP time. Now if DU's power play was leading the league, then by all means, play the forwards out there. But the results say it isn't working. Time to change.
2)Wearing Down -- DU, like many teams, tends to wear down as the season goes on. Perhaps that's a recruiting issue of not enough depth, size, or a conditioning issue, or an injury issue or all of the above, but it's likely a huge factor in DU's late season poor play since 2005. Some better coaching ideas or approaches are needed here.
3) Physical Toughness: DU will probably never or play as physically tough as North Dakota is or does, but I don't want our team to be too soft, either. Recent teams have lacked some toughness, and that should be addressed by the coaches.
4) Peaking too early -- I have no idea how to fix this. But that's something the staff needs to fix. DU has been doing it for so long now that I simply dread the Christmas break, as a I know the team coming back is different...
5) Puck Managment-- Can tunovers be "cleaned up"? I am not sure, but there sure have been a lot of them by upperclassmen who should know better. Coaches need to get these guys to be smarter with managing the puck. Simplify the game.
6) Effort Level/Mental Toughness: Teams of this caliber should not be coming out flat in big games. These guys should be frothing to hit the ice, and college age is still an age where inspiration works. Letting in early goals is often a sign of a lack of focus on defense first.
7) Fundraising: These coaches need to help more to raise money with the contacts theyv'e made and the players they've develped over the last 18 years here. More money for endowed scholarships could free up some capital to fix some other things that need fixing beyond just the locker room. Lighting, sound, and ice quality at Magness are all substandard for a high level program. Additionally, the scoreboards are aging, too. Magness is now over 10 years old, and it's in need of upgrade. Certainly, this also affects basketball, too, but hockey needs to a larger fundraising driver.
There are only a few real assistant coaches in hockey as compared to football, so if you were to make changes there, the impact could be seismic either up or down. Killer Miller has been at DU forever, and totally deserves a shot as a head coach somewhere. I am hoping he gets that chance on his terms. And Dr. Evil has done a pretty good job with the goalies since Appert left for RPI. Dave Tenzer has also paid his dues as a Operations guy, too - turning down a much more lucrative career in law. This is very a good staff, but they know that they haven't been getting it done in postseason play for years now, and they need to be open to new ideas and.or changes.
If DU does get bounced early from the NCAAs by a more talented team or a good team playing at home, I'd chalk it up to young team. But if DU gets bounced early by a team they truly should beat, then I think Gwoz (should he stay here) may need more than a "thorough review" (as happened last year after losing to RIT).
Here are 7 coaching needs that could probably help this team:
1) The Power Play -- year after year, the PP seems to be below average no matter what top-notch personnel is in there and no matter how they tweak it, it's just not at the level you'd expect for top program. The lack of a strong PP probably cost DU the league title this year, and as Badger Bob preached, you play teams even 5 on 5 but you win with special teams. DU's PK is superb, but the PP needs help. The forwards on the blueline are costing the team, not only in turnovers and breakways/odd man rushes going the other way, but in defensemen leaving the program. TJ Fast, Seabrook and Wrenn were all second round picks who left in part because they didn't get any PP time. Now if DU's power play was leading the league, then by all means, play the forwards out there. But the results say it isn't working. Time to change.
2)Wearing Down -- DU, like many teams, tends to wear down as the season goes on. Perhaps that's a recruiting issue of not enough depth, size, or a conditioning issue, or an injury issue or all of the above, but it's likely a huge factor in DU's late season poor play since 2005. Some better coaching ideas or approaches are needed here.
3) Physical Toughness: DU will probably never or play as physically tough as North Dakota is or does, but I don't want our team to be too soft, either. Recent teams have lacked some toughness, and that should be addressed by the coaches.
4) Peaking too early -- I have no idea how to fix this. But that's something the staff needs to fix. DU has been doing it for so long now that I simply dread the Christmas break, as a I know the team coming back is different...
5) Puck Managment-- Can tunovers be "cleaned up"? I am not sure, but there sure have been a lot of them by upperclassmen who should know better. Coaches need to get these guys to be smarter with managing the puck. Simplify the game.
6) Effort Level/Mental Toughness: Teams of this caliber should not be coming out flat in big games. These guys should be frothing to hit the ice, and college age is still an age where inspiration works. Letting in early goals is often a sign of a lack of focus on defense first.
7) Fundraising: These coaches need to help more to raise money with the contacts theyv'e made and the players they've develped over the last 18 years here. More money for endowed scholarships could free up some capital to fix some other things that need fixing beyond just the locker room. Lighting, sound, and ice quality at Magness are all substandard for a high level program. Additionally, the scoreboards are aging, too. Magness is now over 10 years old, and it's in need of upgrade. Certainly, this also affects basketball, too, but hockey needs to a larger fundraising driver.
