Eagles Mid-Season Report

WHERE'S THE LEADERSHIP???

(AP) Colorado After the 8-3 drubbing at the hands of the Millionaires in game 41 of the season, it appears leadership is sorely lacking on this club since last season. It certainly seems that the trading of Captain Doan to division rival San Fran ripped the heart out of this club. Staal certainly hasn't stepped up to the plate to lead this club. Nor have recent arrivals Marleau and St. Louis. While Langenbrunner & Scott Niedermayer have done a better job of it, not everyone has responded to their leadership 'styles'. Langenbrunner is more vocal while Nieds tends to let his play do the talking. All management can do is wait 'til next year. Better results should be seen then. Statistically speaking, it should happen. But then...what's the old saying? Oh yeah..."statistics are for losers".
While the Eagles will probably make the playoffs again this season, it's hard to see them going anywhere given the regular season to date. Will there be a transformance over the second half? I suppose it could happen.
What's interesting is that the parent Colorado club had been playing better recently without some key players. Plying their trade 'down' on the farm in Utah have been Stastny & Hannan. Only recently was Hejduk called back up and this was due to an injury to Joel Ward.
Even Staal, Marleau, Brodeur and others had been sent down at one point with a couple three games down on the farm. It seemed on their return that their stint in the 'R' did them wonders because upon being re-inserted in the parent club Colorado lineup, they went on a 7 game win streak. Who sez ya can't send 'em to the farm after they've seen Pa'ree?
Maybe another stint in the Great Salt Lake State is due for some again? Plekanec took over Stastny's role on arrival and has actually been playing better numbers wise. Well, that sez it all since numbers is all we have to go by...eh? Ward did much better in place of Hejduk and will probably be called back up. Ditto for Brodeur after letting in the eight. Sheesh. As for Stastny & Hannan, they might just stay with the 'Griz unti next season. Don't know about any moves for certain, I''ll see. Pardon me my musings.
At any rate, the organization will probably be standing pat for the foreseeable future and staying away from those trade bait fishing inquiries. Like a 'grizz, they just seem to bite us in the end.

Reported by Griz Adams