[Chris Chelios points the finger at the decline of offense in the NHL squarely in one direction?the league's 30 coaches.] As long as coaches play their marquee players for 15 minutes a game, it's not going to change, ... Let them play 25-30 minutes and let them score, that's the way it should be. But it's coaches and their systems. |
[There's also the matter of Saskin's contract, a four-year deal that includes a two-year option, worth about $2.1 million annually.] That's another thing that Trevor decided to take upon himself, ... It was just Trevor Linden and Ted negotiating with each other. |
Against a team like that, you have to get bounces. They had some opportunities in the end. We executed on our five-on-three ( Robert Lang 's winning goal was with a two-man-advantage) and they didn't. Specialty teams were a bit of a difference tonight. |
And as far as on the ice, he gives us just that much more depth. It's going to take him a little time to get his timing, I'm sure. Hopefully, we'll get to ease him in on the power plays. ... Just let him get his feet wet here and let him get used to the speed again. It's been a struggle with him from training camp with the groin. So it's great to have him back in the lineup. |
Aside from the first game of the series we never played a full 60 minutes and it happened again tonight. I don't know why. |
Everybody just wants it to be more open. I have noting against Ted. |
Everybody said it was a big concern going into the last Olympics, but the international game is not as physical as the NHL, so it's not the same. I don't think its going to be an issue at all. It wasn't the last time. |
For whatever reason we did get complacent. For a game we had total control, we were winning, great teams find ways to win and keep leads, especially at this point in the season. There's no excuse for it. But thank God it wasn't a team that (was) chasing us or needed the points, which was a good thing. |
Good teams find a way to win and we didn't do that. |
Good teams find a way to win and we didn't do that. We found ourselves against 5-on-3 on two occasions and you can't do that against a talented team such as Finland. |
He looks big in there and made some great saves. When he needed to make the big saves, he did. |
He worked his ass off. He's done it his whole career. It's a shame we didn't follow his lead. Hopefully it's not the end for him, he's one of the best leaders I've ever played with. |
He's in great shape and he's a hard worker. I have no doubt he can come back and be the same player. |
His leadership in the room, obviously, has been so important, |
I almost played my way off that team, probably because I was so nervous playing in front of Don. I knew I was on the bubble. |