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Regarding Giles; what are some things another coach would have done differently to ensure a different result the last couple of years?

just for starters how about developing a 3rd and 4th line? they certainly had enough blowout games to do so. playing basically 6 or 7 forwards in crunch time is not a recipe for success unless its in the Pas.

knockneed wrote:just for starters how about developing a 3rd and 4th line? they certainly had enough blowout games to do so. playing basically 6 or 7 forwards in crunch time is not a recipe for success unless its in the Pas.

Unfortunately when you do this you stiff your best players (who stayed home out of loyalty, but could have played juniors anywhere) out of playing time.

A well coached team with the most talented players in the state should win the state title.

This was the most talented team in the state, and throughout the entire season, sometimes looked great and sometimes looked downright lousy.

I've never been coached by Giles, but I would have to think that getting handed some of the very best teams in the state year in and year out, that eventually he'd find a way to bring home a state title.

Johnt wrote:A well coached team with the most talented players in the state should win the state title.

This was the most talented team in the state, and throughout the entire season, sometimes looked great and sometimes looked downright lousy.

I've never been coached by Giles, but I would have to think that getting handed some of the very best teams in the state year in and year out, that eventually he'd find a way to bring home a state title.

I'd say that Edina BY FAR had the most talented line. But depthwise? I'm not so sure about that. Lee/Everson/Gaarder had 2/3 of the teams goals (100 of 159). The only other player on the team to score double digits was Taft (18). As far as looking lousy, every talented player has their down days. And you just can't predict when they'll misfire. Unfortunately for Edina, the game against Moorhead was a "down day".

Not sure it's fair to say they didn't have depth. They just played the first line so much and many of the goals came on power plays, that the burden of winning always seemed to be their responsibility. They seemed to do the same thing last year and gassed their top line before the third periods or O/T's. Seemed to adjust this a bit toward end of season with second and third line playing well but whenever they'd get down, I think they would panic and go right back to the first line.

This really isn't uncommon though and many coaches play their big guns much more of the time and in tough games. I think Leddy was on the ice every time I looked. I would have to agree that this was probably the year for the Hornets though - they had the best line in the state and one of the best defensemen. Still scratching my head as to why they didn't bring the trophy home, but after reading everyone's thoughts, probably combination of so many factors.

Doglover wrote:Not sure it's fair to say they didn't have depth. They just played the first line so much and many of the goals came on power plays, that the burden of winning always seemed to be their responsibility. They seemed to do the same thing last year and gassed their top line before the third periods or O/T's. Seemed to adjust this a bit toward end of season with second and third line playing well but whenever they'd get down, I think they would panic and go right back to the first line.

This really isn't uncommon though and many coaches play their big guns much more of the time and in tough games. I think Leddy was on the ice every time I looked. I would have to agree that this was probably the year for the Hornets though - they had the best line in the state and one of the best defensemen. Still scratching my head as to why they didn't bring the trophy home, but after reading everyone's thoughts, probably combination of so many factors.

Some good thoughts. Things would have been different with Budish. That would have created 1 super line or 2 great lines depending on whether or not Gaarder or Lee/Everson would've played line 2.

I think all in all, this group of guys had quite a load of expectation on their shoulders. It's a lot to carry for anyone - let alone a 17/18 yr old. They had a great season and will always be remembered regardless of the state tourney. Edina can forever be proud to say these guys were developed and came out of their program - they have bright futures ahead of them.

things would have been different with budish, but lets NOT forget that e.p. had FOUR top players that were playing elsewhere this year and they still played on and didn't use it as a crutch like the edina faithful and staff did all year.

knockneed wrote:things would have been different with budish, but lets NOT forget that e.p. had FOUR top players that were playing elsewhere this year and they still played on and didn't use it as a crutch like the edina faithful and staff did all year.

I'm interested to hear who those players are - I heard of 1. I guess that points back to the depth of the team then.

StillAnEagle wrote:

knockneed wrote:things would have been different with budish, but lets NOT forget that e.p. had FOUR top players that were playing elsewhere this year and they still played on and didn't use it as a crutch like the edina faithful and staff did all year.

I'm interested to hear who those players are - I heard of 1. I guess that points back to the depth of the team then.

Have you paid any attention to hockey. They are 3 big names,

Alec Rush
Blake Thompson
Danny Kristo

With those 3, EP would be scary.

I can't think of the fourth.

Jason Clark, who went to Shattuck - one of the very top 92's in the state

scoreboard33 wrote:

StillAnEagle wrote:

knockneed wrote:things would have been different with budish, but lets NOT forget that e.p. had FOUR top players that were playing elsewhere this year and they still played on and didn't use it as a crutch like the edina faithful and staff did all year.

I'm interested to hear who those players are - I heard of 1. I guess that points back to the depth of the team then.

Have you paid any attention to hockey. They are 3 big names,

Alec Rush
Blake Thompson
Danny Kristo

With those 3, EP would be scary.

I can't think of the fourth.

Thanks for the info, but perhaps you should unwinch your undies just a tad and smoothen out your delivery - I asked an honest question.

StillAnEagle wrote:

scoreboard33 wrote:

StillAnEagle wrote: I'm interested to hear who those players are - I heard of 1. I guess that points back to the depth of the team then.

Have you paid any attention to hockey. They are 3 big names,

Alec Rush
Blake Thompson
Danny Kristo

With those 3, EP would be scary.

I can't think of the fourth.

Thanks for the info, but perhaps you should unwinch your undies just a tad and smoothen out your delivery - I asked an honest question.

I think they were great this year because those three WERE NOT there. Team chemistry is more important than talent.

so, is giles in or out for next year? he has never been able to win even at the younger ages when he was coaching bantams. he just doesn't seem to be able to pull the trigger. i would like to see someone else get a chance. there is a lot of talent at the pee-wee level and maybe someone else can give them a chance to win the big one!

spectatorfun wrote:so, is giles in or out for next year? he has never been able to win even at the younger ages when he was coaching bantams. he just doesn't seem to be able to pull the trigger. i would like to see someone else get a chance. there is a lot of talent at the pee-wee level and maybe someone else can give them a chance to win the big one!

Sounds like you've made up your mind. I'd vote to keep the incumbent.

This is high school hockey I don't think Giles will be fired on the sole reason for not winning state. He has had some of the best talent in the state handed to him the past few years and not being able to get one of those teams to win state does make everyone wonder what is going on there. Also all the Edina players that I know say he is one of the best if not the best coach they have had so I see him staying in Edina for the time being.

Doglover wrote:Not sure it's fair to say they didn't have depth. They just played the first line so much and many of the goals came on power plays, that the burden of winning always seemed to be their responsibility. They seemed to do the same thing last year and gassed their top line before the third periods or O/T's. Seemed to adjust this a bit toward end of season with second and third line playing well but whenever they'd get down, I think they would panic and go right back to the first line.

This really isn't uncommon though and many coaches play their big guns much more of the time and in tough games. I think Leddy was on the ice every time I looked. I would have to agree that this was probably the year for the Hornets though - they had the best line in the state and one of the best defensemen. Still scratching my head as to why they didn't bring the trophy home, but after reading everyone's thoughts, probably combination of so many factors.

I see it exactly the same way.

so, I guess he will be back. I wonder when they will be able to finally win the big one. It is not for lack of talent..I wonder what it is.......

spectatorfun wrote:I wonder what it is.......

Reading this whole thread might give you some ideas.

Just goes to show you, Just because you are the most TALENTED doesn't always mean you are the best TEAM.

Well, then we are right back to coaching...if he has the talent but can't win..they you are only left to assume that it is coaching and not talent.

spectatorfun wrote:Well, then we are right back to coaching...if he has the talent but can't win..they you are only left to assume that it is coaching and not talent.

That's a bit of a leap to make.

Just because a team has more talent than all the others does not mean it's invincible, even if it's well-coached. There still might be holes, and there certainly were on this Edina team.

Duluth East has lost to (arguably) less talented teams 4 years in a row now. The last two, for sure. But I still wouldn't trade Mike Randolph for any coach in the state.

This isn't to say Giles is blameless. But I think, as they look to the future, Edina hockey has far bigger holes to fill than any that might exist on the bench.