X's and O's! Oh how I love X's and O's! It makes me stop and picture the play develop/finish in my mind and it practically turns into a daydream. Ah, my happy place!
Awesome article, Craig! Super refreshed to read your work again. Quick question (not at all a complaint, just a question) do you know if your website offers a “dark mode” option? I tried to change it in my browser settings but i didn’t see the option. Either way, thanks for the scoop. Happy to be a subscriber
Excellent content good sir! Every time I thought the article was going to end, it got even more in-depth. You cannot beat this level of quality, detail, and trust. Thanks Craig!
I'm no coach and I like slapshots, but I'm not sure I'd want Oliver to change his sick blue line wristah to a slapper even if it would bounce around more for people to clean up a rebound or two.
I think it is all situational. The slapper gets there faster, giving defenders and the goalie less time to track it and either block or stop it. The wrister is more accurate and can be placed better when there is traffic, but it does not arrive as quickly.
Fabulous article, Craig. Now you need to start a YouTube channel, get a patreon page, and do it like all the cool kids do. Print media is dead. Content, content, content.
I agree on the YouTube channel, that is my only social media account that I use and I consume more through YouTube than any other source (TV, radio, internet, etc.)
Sadly, because you've hitched your wagon to one of the smallest hockey markets in the NHL, you may have to expand your domain. You don't have the advantage of being in the largest market (ala Steve Dangle and the Leafs...and who wants to hear Craig scream anyways), but I also wouldn't expect you to become a total generalist like "TheHockeyGuy". Find a niche and fill it. I wish you luck.
Highly illuminating! Thanks so much for coaxing this level of detail out of the coaches. As fans, we see a lot of this happening and then suffer coaches answering only in cliches. It causes fans to get really down on coaches and think they aren’t seeing what they need to see or addressing what they need to address. It’s really a relief to actually hear them break down the tactical side and give us an idea of what the team SHOULD be focusing on, so we can watch for improvement.
We’ve been sticking with a team stuck in a perpetual rebuild for nearly a decade. And progression has been...”non-linear” so it’s great to get insight into what key performance indicators we can watch for to mark progress, beyond goals, and wins.
Although I have concerns about the NHL pulling this off (we keep using the word 'unprecedented' at work to pretty much describe anything and everything that doesn't make sense but we have to roll with anyway) however I'm allowing myself to be excited. Players seem to be as well. Everyone healthy (...I think?..), with this chance in front of them? How many played-through injuries impacted the past season along with man-games lost to injuries? Things they needed to work on, but couldn't due to line jugging when someone went down?
As always a phenomenal read. You're such a trusted writer that you're able to coax on depth information from the best sources including specific names. This type of writing is invaluable to a fan who wants to understand how and edgy things are the way they are and what needs to change. Thanks so much for your work. Can't wait to read about the goalies.
Awesome to see such a large and I'm depth article not only after a 3 month hockey pause, but also during this new and uncertain times. Great work Craig!
Top notch content here. It's the X's and O's that I really appreciate, along with the detail you were able to garner from the coaches. Love it and can't wait for more of this!
X's and O's! Oh how I love X's and O's! It makes me stop and picture the play develop/finish in my mind and it practically turns into a daydream. Ah, my happy place!
Haha! Here to serve, Larry. Here to serve.
Awesome article, Craig! Super refreshed to read your work again. Quick question (not at all a complaint, just a question) do you know if your website offers a “dark mode” option? I tried to change it in my browser settings but i didn’t see the option. Either way, thanks for the scoop. Happy to be a subscriber
I will ask. I prefer dark mode, too.
Thanks again!
Hey Kenny - if you use Chrome, there’s a new extension that can brute force dark mode on all websites. Check out how:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.howtogeek.com/446198/how-to-force-dark-mode-on-every-website-in-google-chrome/amp/
Excellent content good sir! Every time I thought the article was going to end, it got even more in-depth. You cannot beat this level of quality, detail, and trust. Thanks Craig!
I really appreciate that, Nick.
Are you really only charging $5 a month? This is outstanding value for money thanks Craig.
Well... thank you.
I'm no coach and I like slapshots, but I'm not sure I'd want Oliver to change his sick blue line wristah to a slapper even if it would bounce around more for people to clean up a rebound or two.
Good to have you back!
I think it is all situational. The slapper gets there faster, giving defenders and the goalie less time to track it and either block or stop it. The wrister is more accurate and can be placed better when there is traffic, but it does not arrive as quickly.
Fabulous article, Craig. Now you need to start a YouTube channel, get a patreon page, and do it like all the cool kids do. Print media is dead. Content, content, content.
I agree on the YouTube channel, that is my only social media account that I use and I consume more through YouTube than any other source (TV, radio, internet, etc.)
Haha! A Youtube channel has crossed my mind.
Sadly, because you've hitched your wagon to one of the smallest hockey markets in the NHL, you may have to expand your domain. You don't have the advantage of being in the largest market (ala Steve Dangle and the Leafs...and who wants to hear Craig scream anyways), but I also wouldn't expect you to become a total generalist like "TheHockeyGuy". Find a niche and fill it. I wish you luck.
I have some other things in the discussion phase. Stay tuned.
I'm so glad to have this back...love the well written deep dives! As always...keep up the great work!
Thanks for reading, Craig.
Wow. Now THAT is content.. thank you
You're welcome... and thank you.
Highly illuminating! Thanks so much for coaxing this level of detail out of the coaches. As fans, we see a lot of this happening and then suffer coaches answering only in cliches. It causes fans to get really down on coaches and think they aren’t seeing what they need to see or addressing what they need to address. It’s really a relief to actually hear them break down the tactical side and give us an idea of what the team SHOULD be focusing on, so we can watch for improvement.
We’ve been sticking with a team stuck in a perpetual rebuild for nearly a decade. And progression has been...”non-linear” so it’s great to get insight into what key performance indicators we can watch for to mark progress, beyond goals, and wins.
Thanks Craig!
Thanks for reading, Trent. All three coaches provided great insight in these interviews.
Hehe...just don't divulge "trade secrets" to the competition.
Although I have concerns about the NHL pulling this off (we keep using the word 'unprecedented' at work to pretty much describe anything and everything that doesn't make sense but we have to roll with anyway) however I'm allowing myself to be excited. Players seem to be as well. Everyone healthy (...I think?..), with this chance in front of them? How many played-through injuries impacted the past season along with man-games lost to injuries? Things they needed to work on, but couldn't due to line jugging when someone went down?
I really think they are going to pull this off. It helps to have a neighboring country in which to play -- one that has handled COVID-19 well.
Great read Craig! Looking forward to your articles. GO YOTES!!
Thanks, Michael. I'll have a piece on the team's goaltending approach to the play-in round in the morning.
Top notch, quality article. I'm so glad you are finding a way to still cover the team. I'm pulling for you to find a bunch of success, you deserve it.
I really appreciate that, Cam. It's a tough market and these are tough economic times, but I'm going to give it my best shot.
As always a phenomenal read. You're such a trusted writer that you're able to coax on depth information from the best sources including specific names. This type of writing is invaluable to a fan who wants to understand how and edgy things are the way they are and what needs to change. Thanks so much for your work. Can't wait to read about the goalies.
Working on it now.
Excellent article, Craig. Welcome back!!
Thanks, Brendan. Thanks for reading.
Awesome to see such a large and I'm depth article not only after a 3 month hockey pause, but also during this new and uncertain times. Great work Craig!
Many thanks, Mark.
Top notch content here. It's the X's and O's that I really appreciate, along with the detail you were able to garner from the coaches. Love it and can't wait for more of this!
Plenty more to come. I am writing about the goalies today; will post tomorrow.