Already? Yes, Already.
by MagicsJohnson on Aug 27, 2010 1:34 PM PDT
in Chirping The Bench
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(Note: This will eventually be cross-posted over at The Chairman's, but you guys get it first.)
I really didn't think I'd have to do this so soon, but you'd think a "professional" wouldn't need lessons in logic and common sense...
Yes, it was two weeks ago, but my 'favorite' 'writer,' Lindsay Kramer over at the Syracuse Post Standard, has already started beating the drum about the Crunch being ignored by the Ducks. Jesus, really? On August 13th? I guess it's never too early to start poisoning a relationship, eh? For my money, the most short-sighted part of that article reads as follows:
Whether you want to give the Ducks the benefit of the doubt or not when it comes to assembling their first Crunch team is up to you...After a fast start to the off-season - Jaffray, Green, Syvret, Smith - the news on the free-agent front has been underwhelming...there's no way Anaheim starts the season without an experienced No. 3 netminder in the system. But, one of the truisms of the AHL is that it's not what the team looks like now that matters, it's who takes the ice in October. A complicating factor is that few of us really know how good their first- and second-year players are.
Let's examine this a little deeper:
"Whether you want to give the Ducks the benefit of the doubt or not when it comes to assembling their first Crunch team is up to you."
You're right, it is. And the fact of the matter is that there are more Crunch fans willing to do so than not.
"After a fast start to the off-season - Jaffray, Green, Syvret, Smith - the news on the free-agent front has been underwhelming...there's no way Anaheim starts the season without an experienced No. 3 netminder in the system."
Something to remember -- the Ducks already had a decent number of AHL-ready prospects, from what we've been told. If that's the case, then the need to make a splash in the free agency market isn't as dire. Further, the Ducks still have some issues to button up on their own roster (hi, Bobby Ryan!) There's only so much money and attention to go around. While we're at it, the buzz around the Ducks has been pretty strong in the Crunch fanbase. Just how many fans did the Crunch actually save this year by splitting with Columbus? Quite a few, actually. And finally, if there's "no way" the Ducks will start the season without another goalie on the payroll, why bring it up? Don't worry about it if it's such a sure thing.
"But, one of the truisms of the AHL is that it's not what the team looks like now that matters, it's who takes the ice in October."
Hey, something that makes sense! Way to go, champ! Obviously, championships aren't won in August. Right now, every team in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, KHL, YMCA and E=MC2 has the same possible outcome for this coming season: they'll either win it all, or they won't. I don't believe for a second that The Bossman would put himself in the same position that he was put in with Columbus and their, uh..."braintrust"...running the helm. Furthermore, I don't think any rational Crunch fan would, either. So why bring it up?
"A complicating factor is that few of us really know how good their first and second-year players are."
A couple of things here. First, none of us know how good or bad the Young Ducks are going to be as a team. Why? BECAUSE THEY'VE YET TO PLAY TOGETHER. Placing any kind of expectations on this year's roster before, say, Thanksgiving, is downright moronic. Whether you expect them to kick ass out of the gate or fall out of contention before Lights on the Lake starts is only setting up the season for failure. Everyone, from the coaching staff to the last man on the bench, is coming into a new situation. Let them figure it out w ithout worrying about it in August. And yes, we always knew what to expect from Columbus every year: that for every 10 moves they made, 9 of them backfired. It's a fresh start for all involved...why bring that negativity into the mix when it's yet to be warranted?
Look, it's really quite simple. The first preseason game is still a month away. It's the first year for a new affiliate, with a new coaching staff, a new philosophy, and a roster of guys who have not yet played a game together as a team. Taking the "pity poor us" position does no one any favors, and effectively implies that you've already dismissed this season as a lost cause by already building in excuses for poor results. Instead, why not lay back, see what happens, and worry about what happens on the ice when it actually happens?
I promise, it's not like this team is going to go 0-80. Relax.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (Don't Do It) (via juanmanuelcommx)
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Listen, so nobody gets the wrong idea here..
For those who haven’t had the, uh, pleasure, our local beat writer for the Crunch really enjoys trying to stir the pot at every possible chance. From my personal experience, I think he believes himself to be the next Upton Sinclair for some reason. We’re not entirely fond of each other, and there are times when that dislike shines through in my work. I try my best to not write about him or bring him up, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. This was one of those times, so forgive any perceived ad hominem attacks in the post.
Just as importantly, please understand that virtually nobody agrees with him, especially on this topic.
Just as importantly, please understand that virtually nobody agrees with him
I think this is the biggest key to adding MJ. I wanted to bring in another fan perspective where possible, and it was total serendipity that he was resurrecting his site just as I was looking.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Aug 27, 2010 2:07 PM PDT reply actions
I have been reading Kramers stuff since we first hinted at Syracuse…I am glad you have joined forces with the tyrannic duo (trio?) here @ AC I just thought with the cold weather he was extra grumpy, and pessimistic once it warmed up….
No, he’s a clueless tool year round.
If you really want a fuller picture of his douchebaggery, you should check out part three of the history of The Chairman’s over at my place. (end shameless plug)
by MagicsJohnson on Aug 27, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Technically, there were four of us before Magic came on to cover the Crunch. Daniel just believes in summer vacations.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Aug 27, 2010 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Just finished it Magic….I guess your “take two” is all in your hands….here’s to hoping for some good updates, and insight from you, and some chemistry for the Crunch players ….we need our young guys to gel this year, so we don’t have to shop around at the trade deadline every year for Boyntons. I will be watching….p.s. can Mirasty play? I have seen him fight, but not much else from here in CA
Amen, my brotha! This is the first off season in my 7 year history with the team that I’m not stressed. You know my crazy stress level when it comes to the Crunch. That’s saying something.
Buick22—-I personally feel that Mirasty has gotten much better over the last three (holy crap, has it really been three seasons since the magic of 07-08, MJ?) years. When he first came to the Crunch he could fight like mad, but his turnover rate was very high and he sometimes didn’t look like he knew what to do with the puck. But since then, his game has come a long way. His skating has improved, he can go harder for longer periods of time, and although he rarely hits the twine he has been creating more quality chances.
Of course, the past two years he’s been skating with the frigging Barnum and Bailey Circus, so his skating potential was rather the least of our worries :p.
At the end of the day, he’s not exactly the most well-rounded player, but he plays with his heart on his sleeve and has always given us 100%. From reports we’ve heard he’s actually dropped some weight off this past summer, so it sounds like he really wants to get serious and make a great impression on our new organization.
See? You beat me to it :)
Everything this lady says about the Crunch, you can take it to the bank. She’s one of, if not the most dedicated fans that this team has. She’s also one hell of a writing partner!
by MagicsJohnson on Aug 27, 2010 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Welcome, Allokago! It’s great to have Crunch fans here.
I’m glad the Ducks had the foresight to bring Mirasty back. Murray’s taken a lot of the sandpaper out of the cupboard, from high end Top Six tough guys like Tangradi to bottom six guys like McCue. It’s good to see Dan Sexton will be safe if we send him down.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Aug 27, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for the welcome!
Oh, he’ll be safe. Nasty usually makes his presence known, even if no one has the guts to fight him. He’s been known to attack players who run their mouths but won’t own up around bench partitions. I believe took on all of the Baby Sens’ bench last year. I think it was Bingo. All of the games from last season kind of bleed together.
But as far as protection goes, let’s just say that in a choice between being checked into the wall by an ice gorilla or by Mirasty, I’d go ice gorilla every time.
Well, Mirasty is mostly one-dimensional, and what you see is pretty much all that you get. He’s good for maybe one assist per year, but he’s definitely improved his skating over the last couple of seasons. Word on the street is that he’s dropped 10 or 15 pounds over the summer, so he might be coming in around 215-220 at camp.
With Jonny, the thing to keep in mind is that he’s got this unreal, Paul Bunyan-esque upper body strength. I swear to you, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. The weight loss might contribute to a little more offensive upside, but I’m not going to get too excited just yet. Should be fun to watch this year, though. If nothing else, this might be the year he actually punches a hole through a guy’s face.
He’s manlier than Jesus riding a dinosaur.
by MagicsJohnson on Aug 27, 2010 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe it’s because I was raised Catholic, but I associate manly Jesus with abs. Tunic Jesus seems like he let himself go by comparison.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Aug 27, 2010 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
We have a winner in the Best Comment Ever contest!
by MagicsJohnson on Aug 27, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks!
Thanks — there’s some good stuff to come, I promise.
by MagicsJohnson on Aug 27, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
i dont really care about the success of the Syracuse Crunch as much as i care about the success of the Anaheim Ducks
by AnaheimDucks4Life on Aug 27, 2010 7:54 PM PDT reply actions
Well, players who develop on a losing team are never better for it. Look at how many clutch callups the Capitals have had and tell me a winning farm team isn’t relevant.
Don’t complain about the quality of the Ducks prospects if you wish a losing season on all of them.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Aug 27, 2010 8:17 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Ya I couldn’t disagree more. I don’t think people realize how big of a deal it is to have our own affiliate, like the Crunch. And I think even less people realize how bad it was not having any AHL affiliates last year. It’s common sense that in order to have a successful franchise, you need to have a decent place where you can develop your prospects.
There's nothing to see here. And nothing gazes back at me.
Not to beat the homer drum, but it’s true. In addition to providing the next generation of players for a given team, an affiliate also allows those players to, ideally, learn how to play within the confines of a system and contribute sooner rather than later. Even though it reaches such glamorous destinations as Syracuse, Binghamton, Scranton, and Hamilton, the AHL absolutely serves an important purpose, especially when you consider the considerable list of NHL all stars that got their start in the A.
Don’t worry about beating the drum. This is an important subject. obviously, it’s tough to convince a Ducks fan to feel good about a losing ducks season for sake of a winning crunch season, but when your NHLers aren’t getting it done, you should really care how your AHLers are doing. Maybe they turn around your season, or maybe if you’re already having a good season, they became key performers. Guys like Carlson and Varlamov stepped into the NHL playoffs after experiencing the Capitals system in high pressure and winning playoff situations in the AHL. No real substite for that
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Aug 27, 2010 10:48 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah I agree, the Crunch’s success as a team lends itself to call ups and less dumping on players by RC when they get here, at least now we will know what attributes our players have before they are coming over the boards mid-season for the Ducks..plus it is pretty cool, as they play in the polar opposite of barns than the Ducks, so the granite and polished floors will maybe motivate them to return again even more…we have one of, if not THE nicest buildings in the NHL…compared to Northlands/Rexall where the Oilers play, it is almost sacrilegious to have such a nice place for a lot of fans around the league…visitors are often really surprised when they enter….you should come see a game this season…get a feel when we play San Jose or LA
I will be following the Crunch all year, and am stoked that most of our spread out players will be on one team….and to see how they stack up
Funny you mention our barn...
One of the things I’d like to do this season is a photo-essay post to give you all a virtual tour of the War Memorial. I say a lot of mean things about it, but it’s definitely a throwback rink.
Fun fact — the scene in Slap Shot where the Hansons go into the crowd to beat the shit out of the fans was filmed there. My dad was an extra in the scene. Furthermore, the seats you see in that scene were replaced just last season.
by MagicsJohnson on Aug 30, 2010 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions
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