A Tough Lesson For Anaheim To Learn
Anaheim fell in seven to Nashville, will San Jose suffer the same fate?
The answer is “no”. San Jose has made a couple of monstrous changes in the last few years that has made them a stronger and better team; changes the Anaheim Ducks should seriously consider making this off season.
It’s time for someone else to dawn the Captains “C”. San Jose made a massive shake up when they took the “C” from Joe Thornton. It’s time for the Getzlaf era to come to an end; with the coaching change already taken place, the new coach needs to make the team in his image. That starts from the top down. Leadership is more than just wearing the letter it’s about the team having the confidence in their leader. It looked as if the true leaders of the team during this season didn’t always have a letter on their chest. Ryan Getzlaf has been a good Captain, but it’s time for a needed change.
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One goal tender. The sharks traded away Antti Niemi (who in his last season with San Jose was in a 1A/1B situation with Alex Stalock) for a seventh round pick and were lucky enough to get their hands on Martin Jones. The idea that a goalie tandem is the way of the future is false. Just look at what happened to Dallas in the playoffs, they never seemed to really get a solid hold and there was a good chance of a different goaltender every game. Skaters depend on their goalie to talk to them and be their eyes when they can’t see. It’s hard enough learning to work with one goalie let alone two, and not knowing who will be in net until game day makes the preparation that much more difficult. The new coach needs to pick a guy and stick with him.
One change that San Jose didn’t make that Anaheim should; find a new General Manager. Bob Murray has been the ire of both coaches behind the bench under his tenure. It has been well documented that Murray is a very hands on GM, being involved in personnel decisions and team dynamics. Towards the end of last season it was rumored that Murray was the main push behind John Gibson having more ice time before the playoffs as well as getting the starts this post season in the first games against Nashville. Having a GM make game time decisions on player assignments is going too far.
With these changes Anaheim can hit the ice next season without missing a beat. Remember Ducks fans, 05/06 was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Having the right pieces in place makes all the difference.