They should get Girard some ice skate stilts and trade him.

Right? It’s like a disease that’s contaminated much of the fanbase.

Mostly outplayed doesn’t always get you the W. As far as game 7 goes the Avs shot themselves in the skates..again. With the only pushing around from the stars needed was Rants hat trick.

It is all about having both skill and a big strong defense. Teams like Carolina are heavy on the defensive structure, but lack the top end skill. It is why they wanted Rantanen. The Avs have the top end skill, but lack a lot on the defensive structure. Sure the Avs defense and structure can win a lot of regular season games, but the playoffs are won in front of the net. That is the Avs weakness.

Interesting, not an area in which I feel they were necessarily lacking. But to your point, yes. I feel It should’ve been & still should be priority #1 for them to get more difficult to play against.

To steal Naz’s terminology lol. You want dawgs. I look at the new blood they’ve brought in since last year. And outside of having belief to some degree in Brock Nelson. Necas, Olofsson, Burns. None of these guys make them a more meaner difficult team to play in the postseason.

Dallas feels they need to get bigger and tougher. If they are the Avs biggest competition to get back to the SCF, then the Avs need to be able to counter.

“Let’s Get Physical! Dallas Stars Focus on Getting Bigger, Tougher and Meaner This Off-Season”
https://dalsportsnation.com/2025/08/17/lets-get-physical-dallas-stars-focus-on-getting-bigger-tougher-and-meaner-this-off-season/

Barring an early trade of Malinski – which could happen, because I think he’s possibly one of our most desirable trade assets as a well-rounded 27-year-old right-shot d-man – I think the third pairing will be Malinski and Manson, with Sam on the left. If Malinski is traded, it would likely be for his replacement in a left-shot d-man, but if not it would then become a battle likely between Middleton, Behrens, and Gagne – and I’d probably favor Gagne, myself.

You’re the prospect guy lol. To your knowledge did Malinski ever play on his off – side in College? Or even with the Eagles? Because one would think either him or Burns are going to have to. Assuming the top 2 D pairs stay the same as they’ve been.

Overall I would mostly agree, that they didn’t seem out of step with Dallas up front. But on the back end…meh. That’s why most of us thought if they tweaked anything this off – season it would be to get a bit bigger & tougher to play against on defense.

But they’ve done the complete opposite. Coyle, and regardless of how one felt about Wood or Lindgren. They play a physical game & have size. So not only did they get even softer on D. But they got much easier to play against in the bottom 6.

I’ve never really had a huge problem with his line combos or his juggling of lines. It’s more the lack of imagination. And coming around to the idea as I’ve thought about it more over the off – season that a change in messaging & philosophy would probably do this group good.

I think Bednar is fine. But as Rico mentioned he’s greatly lacking as it pertains to making adjustments & the X’s & O’s. I think he’s great at managing the room & deferring (too much it seems) to his stars. But I would like to see a premier hockey mind coach this group. Like a Cassidy, Monty or even Deboer. This core has never had that.

I think they can win another cup with Bednar as the coach. I’m just coming around to the idea that another coach might make them more formidable. Especially in the postseason where a really intelligent hockey mind can make a difference.