John Michael Liles reacts to Avs historic start to the season

John Michael Liles reacts to Avs historic start to the season

Yeah, thanks for being on. Um, can you frame this start of the Avalanche um, in terms of what they’ve been even some of their great teams over the years and and what this start compares to? Well, I mean, I think first and foremost when you look at, you know, what they did last night and uh, you know, first or fourth team, I think in history through 20 games to only have one regulation loss, I think that frames it pretty well. just shows where they’ve kind of been uh I guess you know shot out of the gates. Um they they’re finding different ways to win is is kind of my biggest takeaway. Um you know two games ago against the Islanders, McKinnon doesn’t have a point. Your second line gets two goals, your third line gets a goal. Um you’ve got contributions up and down the lineup. Obviously last night McKinnon, Marius all have big games. you know, the the the superstars on the ABS can outplay the superstars on any other team in my mind, but then when you add in, you factor in the depth that the ABS have, the second line is really started to come around. They’re clicking now. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Brinley going forward. Um, but Colton is skating as well as we’ve seen him skate. Nelson looks extremely comfortable and now, you know, really starting to fire the puck. Um, the third line, they’ve got some great chemistry. trajectory. I think that was a question mark uh going into the season. You know, is he a fourth line center? Is he a third line center? I think he’s done a tremendous job as a third line center. And now Gabe Lannisog, I think, had arguably his best game of the season last night. Olivesson continues to score. And the fourth line uh has just done a tremendous job. Parker Kelly really kind of taken Bardikov under his wing. And then the D, I mean, um, Mar, uh, he’s been nothing short of amazing, but, you know, the steadiness of Brent Burns, Josh Manson’s had a really good year. Uh, goalending, I mean, Wedgewood last night, I think the Rangers came out of the gates really, uh, they came out of the gates strong. Uh, obviously got the power play goal early, but Wedgewood made he’s been making the saves, the big saves when they’re needed. And I think that’s the biggest thing. He’s giving the ABS a chance to win each and every night when he plays. And McKenzie Blackwood trending back to where he needs to be is a positive because in the end, it’s crazy to say, but I think the abs can get better with Blackwood getting back to to to, you know, to where they believe him uh or where he they believe he can be. And then Logan O’Connor coming back, you know, these guys getting healthy. Val Neushkin. Uh, I I just it’s it’s crazy to say, but even with a start where they have one regulation loss in 20 games, I still think the ABS can be better. And we’re not even talking about the power play at this point, which can always get better. Also, you know, I said this a while ago, they’re doing this that something only three other teams have done it. And one of those teams did it in the 20s. So, let’s, you know, we’re talking we’re talking a hundred years ago almost. Um, there’s six teams and they’re basic. Yeah, they’re basically doing it with their backup goalie. Yeah, basically. Yeah. Yeah. Now, yeah. Well, Scott, let’s be honest. Wedgewood Wedgewood isn’t playing like a backup goalie right now, right? And and I think Yeah. You know, when they brought him in, it was it was for stability when Gorggv was still the starter. You had Aninan who was younger and they felt that that he you know, they the Gorgiev needed a little bit more stability in the backup position. But what I would say is Wedgewood is is the equivalent of the Pavl Franos of the the 1B and and right now what you’re seeing is your 1B has elevated his game to to the the the point of he he essentially is a starter. Uh and and that’s cuz Blackwood isn’t right there, but he’s always he said it when he signed his extension. you know, the way that he views himself. He views himself as a starter, but at the same time, he knows the dynamic of where he and Blackwood fall. He’s probably going to get 30 to 35 starts on the season. And there’s a reason why he wanted to sign with Colorado. His family, he and his family love the city. They love the organization. They love the team. And he knows the dynamic. A and so he is that that that 1B where you’re not looking at, okay, here’s your starter and here’s your backup. This is a goalie tandem where it doesn’t matter who you put out there any given night, they are going to give you a chance to win. John, I was uh I was at a bar last night working the football game, but they got the Avalanche on there as well and and I I I started paying attention some point in the second and it I’m like feels like they’ve had the puck for like the entire thing like like they’re just in control of this and and and then I look it up and I think they outshot him something like 18 to four. How does that happen? But I mean, what what did you see dur during that period that they’re able to just take total control of the game? Well, listen, New York uh New York came out of the gates really well last night. They, like I said, they got the power play goal. What I really liked about the ABS last night is they battled back in the first and second period and scored to tie it. So, they’re not going into an intermission down one at home after having played so well. the second period they really started to take over. They they had extended shifts in the offensive zone. They hemmed New York in on multiple occasions. The New York goal was essentially a quick strike goal where the ABS had it in the offensive zone and and in the end they had it in there for for a longer amount of time and guys were tired on the back check after being in the offensive zone so much and and New York gets a quick strike goal. But um they they you could just tell that they are they’re rolling right now and that second period really uh to me you could just see that that it’s a team that knows that they’re playing well and they know that they had the game in hand regardless of being down a goal or tied. They they’re comfortable playing on home ice. They’re comfortable playing from behind. They’re comfortable with a lead right now. It just it’s a team that’s very confident and it’s it’s fun to watch because you know I’m up there doing color for for home games and there’s times where I almost forget to talk because you’re just so uh you’re just so into the action and what the abs are doing with the puck and how dangerous they are at all times. And it is it’s just it’s it’s fun to watch. It’s fun to see and it’s an amazing atmosphere to be a part of at Ball Arena. All right, let’s talk luck or skill. So after the game, because that wraparound from Kale, that is so John, how many wraparound goals you got in your career? If you want to go back to mites, I might have three, but uh Okay. All right. To me, the wraparound is such an awesome way to score. It’s really, really cool. So, I’m figuring there’s got to be something to it, right? There’s got to be something that you’re looking for because a lot of times with a wraparound, you’re actually just bouncing it off the goalie and getting it in. So, what what from from one of the best player in the world’s perspective, what is he looking at? And I asked Hail that and he just goes, I’m just happy if it goes over the, you know, the goal line. And I’m like, all right, well, what the hell is this? You know, so what what mixture of skill and luck goes into a move like that? and and frankly scoring at all. You know, I’m gonna say it’s about 90 with Kale. It’s if it was me, it would be 90% luck, 10% skill, but because it’s Kale, it’s 90% skill and 10% luck. Uh, you know, he’s he’s first of all, it’s a threeon four when the ABS start up the ice. So, Devontaves drives through, you’ve got McKinnon and Nas with a drop pass, and Kale comes late. And so that read from not only Kale but from NIS and he makes that little saucer pass kind of through the the the Rangers defense to Kale streaking down and I think what Kale’s seeing is okay what’s Sturkin’s angle what’s his look Sturken committed pretty aggressively to Kale and so once that happens if there’s not a look where Kale says okay I’m hammering this shot then he sells shot and he’s going around the other thing I’ll say and I will break this down before our game uh for the ABS game tomorrow on pregame, but Devont Taves was the one that drove the net. So now you have a Dman who’s in the crease and he runs interference on Gaverov so that when Kale sells the shot and goes for the wraparound that Dman in front a lot of times will step over and and and get his stick in the way. Adam Fox tries to dive in and he misses, but Gabov can’t get his stick over there because Devont Taves interferes with him perfectly. So, it just Devonte doesn’t end end up with a point on this, but for me, that’s, you know, there’s so many little things that go into a play like that. Devonte knows exactly what he’s doing. He doesn’t allow Gaov to get his stick over there to to stop Kale’s wraparound. And in the end, Kale sells the shot so well that Shist Sturken has to essentially throw everything he can to the far post and he’s not able to get there and cover it in time. and Kale. I mean, part of him being able to complete that wrapound, I believe I I really firmly believe, is the is the the the curve on his stick because it’s so hard as you’re falling away to to essentially tow over the puck when you’re behind the goal line and wrap it around that post. More often than not, you end up hitting the post or it just goes shooting straight across the goal line. So, there’s so much skill involved. Yes, there’s a small amount of luck. Uh, but because it’s Kale Macar, I I it is it is almost 100% skill and a lot less luck than uh than I think people realize. See, that was an incredible breakdown. Why didn’t Kale just say all that last night in the locker room? Because he’s Listen, because he’s a Norstro winner and he’s not an analyst. Exactly. He he he’s processes it at at at such a high rate of speed. I I’m just I you know for me it’s just so fun looking at all the the dynamics and and little things that go into that play being successful and and that was one of the things you know the Taves part stood out to me because not only is it Kale going around the net but Devon Taves who’s the other defenseman is standing in the crease so you’ve got I mean that’s when you’re playing at a really uh really high level as a team. Exactly. Because you’re not worried about the oddman rush going the other way. One, because your goalie is playing amazing, and two, because you know that you you have the ability to to score that. You’re not worried about it going the other way. Devonte in the crease, running interference, and Kale Mar makes that move. I mean, that’s that’s, you know, you you grow up, you’re taught one D up, one D back. If if somebody’s jumping, you have to be back covering. Well, guess what? You know, they’re they’re you know, they’re they’re shooting that one right uh you know, right down just given the way they’re playing. Listen, to answer D, Johnny, I I once took a lesson from a dude. He was in his 70s. He he was still a a plus on his handicap in golf. He’s in the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame. And he goes, “Well, hit a few shots.” And they’re out there and I hit like a handful of shots, seven iron. I’m 610, so my club’s a little bigger. He goes, “Here, let me see. Let me see your club.” He takes my club, hits seven balls, and you could probably put a blanket on top of the seven where he landed. Hands him back the club and says, “Just do it like that.” Yeah, just do it like that. It’s just that easy. That’s Yeah. I mean, I love golf more than anything, but yeah, it’s those guys that say just do it like that that drive you nuts more than than than anyone else is, but that’s that’s when D-Mac asks, “Well, how do you use it that well?” I’ll John, I’ll play I’ll play I’ll play you in the conversation. It’s hysterical. Hey, on the wraparound, do you look for something specific to to bounce the puck off of? What What when you do that, what are you looking forward to to finish on there? Uh, mostly for the puck to cross the goal line is what I’m looking for. Okay. All right. I mean, hey, pretty simple. Yeah, it’s I mean, it’s the best player in the world and and uh, you know, he’s probably holding back a little bit just given, you know, he doesn’t want to give away trade secrets, but I would say, you know, when you’re performing Yeah, he’s humble. When you’re performing at that level, it’s just such a natural thing. and and we you know we talked about on the post game last night when when you your team is playing so well it’s like you go on the ice and you’re not thinking you’re just playing and that’s the best part and it doesn’t matter if it’s basketball if it’s hockey right like when you’re playing at at your your your highest level you just play and it is the it’s the best feeling in the world that’s awesome and as skilled as they are if you go back down the stat sheet Muel and or Mar and Taves both had three or four hits and they had three or blocks, you know, blocking shots. I mean, they they still had all that, too. Which, listen, I I’m glad we got guys that are offensive mind and can do stuff, but but I need I need a guy back there that can take a puck away or or block a shot, and they’re doing that also. That’s amazing. Yeah. Yeah. They’re they’re 200 foot players. It’s uh it is impressive to see on a nightly basis. All right. You got a couple of uh your weekend’s busy. We got uh at Nashville, at Chicago, so look for the games on Altitude TV. Listen to the games here on Altitude Radio. and JML, we really appreciate it. Do are you guys off on Thanksgiving? Yeah, they are. We are off on Thanksgiving. They play the night before and the day after, I believe. So, so what what you know, since you’re in your cabinet, you know, I always watch you with with Dummy back in the studio. Uh what what wine are we serving for uh for Thanksgiving? Oh, good question. Oh, that’s a good question. Um you know, I I don’t know. I gota I got to think about that. I think it’s going to depend on who’s involved. If Kefir’s involved, it’s going to be boxed wine. If Riker’s involved, it’s probably going to be uh what he brings from the store. Yes, exactly. Yeah. Well, he doesn’t have the store anymore, so it’s probably the cheapest thing that he can find on the shelf that’s not boxed because he he won’t go down down the box wine route. All right, my man. Well, we’ll be watching you over the weekend and uh go ABS, go. It’s it’s a blast. Thank you, JML. Thanks, buddy. Appreciate it. Thanks, guys. Have a good one.

Former Avs & NHL defenseman John Michael Liles joined PHD to talk about the Colorado Avalanche’s historic start to the NHL season.
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