Pre-Game Talk: 2023-2024 Habs Rookie Camp & Training Camp

[Rapala]

I don't remember him saying it had nothing to do with structure (but haven't listened to all his interview), but I remember him talked about structure and he still use gameplans. It's not all about "concepts".

So here is a simple explanation. Suzuki loses a faceoff and fails to cover the opposing center resulting in a goal against. That is a systemic and or structural error. Suzuki scrambles the faceoff and beats a pinching D to the puck and immediately lobs the puck to an area where a streaking Anderson or Caufield can skate into. That is a conceptual play Suzuki didn't have to think he just acted. Some players have it and many don't. That is a basic example but the same holds true for players who aren't in possession of the puck. Anderson or Caufield realizing Suzuki will win the puck break for the open ice. That too is conceptual. We saw a perfect example of a conceptual failure the other evening both D men left the zone for open ice but the player in possession turned it over and the puck ended up in our net. One of those D men has to hold the fort they both can't go and they have to do it in tandem without thinking about it.

 

[Nedved]

For sure. I’m also just a lot more interested when we’re playing teams that draw out emotion like when we play the Leafs, Bruins, or Sens.

I've only been an nfl fan for 20 years, but I love playing the cowboys, redskins, giants twice a year. Even if the eagles are having a bad season you just hope to beat your rival. I don't feel any rivalry anymore with any team if I'm being honest. You don't really learn to hate a team.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Except you said the exact opposite earlier. You learnt a lot going up against the black and brown belts despite being overmatched. So clearly training isn't the same any/everywhere, the quality of who you train with is of huge importance. If Slakovksy is working on protecting the puck along the boards he would benefit way more doing so against Savard then against any of our laval bound D even if Savard takes it "easy" on Slaf because he's "overmatched".

There's actually quite a bit of study on this topic recently. I believe the consensus is that it is better to practice consistently at a level just outside of your comfort zone (ie higher level/ overmatched).

But I'm no expert. Just what I've heard.

 

[morhilane]

So here is a simple explanation. Suzuki loses a faceoff and fails to cover the opposing center resulting in a goal against. That is a systemic and or structural error. Suzuki scrambles the faceoff and beats a pinching D to the puck and immediately lobs the puck to an area where a streaking Anderson or Caufield can skate into. That is a conceptual play Suzuki didn't have to think he just acted. Some players have it and many don't. That is a basic example but the same holds true for players who aren't in possession of the puck. Anderson or Caufield realizing Suzuki will win the puck break for the open ice. That too is conceptual. We saw a perfect example of a conceptual failure the other evening both D men left the zone for open ice but the player in possession turned it over and the puck ended up in our net. One of those D men has to hold the fort they both can't go and they have to do it in tandem without thinking about it.

Players failing to read what is going on and make decisions happens with systems and structures all the time. It's not all failure to understand/grasp the concepts.

Like the last one sound like a defensive breakdown to me which I'll put into structure since well a player should always stand back and hold the fort, that's basic hockey.

 

[Miller Time]

There's actually quite a bit of study on this topic recently. I believe the consensus is that it is better to practice consistently at a level just outside of your comfort zone (ie higher level/ overmatched).

But I'm no expert. Just what I've heard.

Really, it's a matter of how far outside the "comfort zone" without creating physical or emotional breakdown.

A big factor in it is the individual and their internal self-esteem... the stronger the mental fortitude, the more challenging environment they can endure.

There were a lot of subtle and some direct references to this in how/why the Habs made the decisions they did with Slaf... and his words and body language both last year and coming into this season suggest they were accurate in their assessment.

It also looks to have been a big factor in their evaluation and eventual selection of him.... the mix of his unique physical tools and his mental make-up gave them confidence he could put in the work and deal with the pressure of a heavily scrutinized long progression arc.

Never any guarantees, but the solid rationale of their approach and the subtle signs of its success this far is lost on many

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I've only been an nfl fan for 20 years, but I love playing the cowboys, redskins, giants twice a year. Even if the eagles are having a bad season you just hope to beat your rival. I don't feel any rivalry anymore with any team if I'm being honest. You don't really learn to hate a team.

Eagles fan eh? I’m a Bucs fan since I was a kid in the late 90s! Still remember Rondé shutting down the Vet. Don’t talk to me about a couple mondays ago though lol

 

[Rapala]

Players failing to read what is going on and make decisions happens with systems and structures all the time. It's not all failure to understand/grasp the concepts.

Like the last one sound like a defensive breakdown to me which I'll put into structure since well a player should always stand back and hold the fort, that's basic hockey.

You do understand the difference between an idea and a rule right? One of the D men has to instinctively break while the other has to instintively defend. That is what a good pairing does without thinking about it. Both breaking or both defending is not conceptual and it isn't playing the game Marty wants.
Not everyone can do it and it is one of the main reasons certain pairings certain duos and certain trios never work out. Chemistry is a conceptual and instinctive and has absolutely nothing to do with rules or structure or systems. It's the same in every sport elite players react differently in many given situations. Marty is simply hoping to teach his players to recognize or read and react by making the proper play in some of those instances. There is no way they will ever master them all and some players may not master any.

 

[Team_Spirit]

The Armia mania continues. Hoards of fans invade Mont Tremblant too see the Finnish icon.

 

[morhilane]

The Armia mania continues. Hoards of fans invade Mont Tremblant too see the Finnish icon.

Habs: lets do a retreat for some team building and season preps far away from the city, fans and media distractions.
Fans: Yes, Habs are coming to our ice rink, lets invade!
Media: Yes, Habs are going outside of Montréal/Brossard for a change, lets continue the media coverage and maybe get some R&R.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

The Armia mania continues. Hoards of fans invade Mont Tremblant too see the Finnish icon.

That's me in the corner.

 

[Deebs]

That's me in the corner.

That's you in the spotlight, losing your religion?

 

[McGees]

That's me in the corner.

 

[EveryDay]

Monahan and Lindstrom are back on the ice this morning.

 

[Aces on the road]

People here are like school bullies. ”The House” will get his revenge #40

 

[EveryDay]

https://twitter.com/EricEngels
Eric Engels
https://twitter.com/EricEngels
@EricEngels

D pairs:
Matheson-Savard
Guhle-Kovacevic
Harris-Xhekaj
Norlinder-Barron

Lindstrom in rotation

Doesn't sound good for Lindstrom, I'm expecting waivers for him later this week and probably one of Barron or Norlinder.

 

[26Mats]

Monahan back on the ice this morning.

A player I love to watch. I want to get another 1st for him. But man, would I love to keep him if he could stay healthy until he's 35.

 

[Skip Bayless]

The Armia mania continues. Hoards of fans invade Mont Tremblant too see the Finnish icon.

This is exactly how I imagine Jordan Harris fans.

 

[26Mats]

https://twitter.com/EricEngels
Eric Engels
https://twitter.com/EricEngels
@EricEngels

D pairs:
Matheson-Savard
Guhle-Kovacevic
Harris-Xhekaj
Norlinder-Barron

Lindstrom in rotation

Marty doing things the way I would do them.

When the final cuts are made, I would send Norlinder and Barron down, because they need to play. Lindstrom can be the 7th D. He's probably gone after this year, so it's ok if he doesn't play that much this year.

It already seems like we'll have to make a lot of trades of dmen by this time next year. It looks like Mailloux, Reinbacher, Barron, and Norlinder will all graduate next year. That will leave us with:

Matheson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Mailloux
Xhekaj - Barron/Kovacevic
Harris, Norlinder
Savard traded

We will keep 7 dmen. So we'll have to trade 3 or 4 dmen within the next 1 year.

And that's assuming Trudeau, Struble, Hutson and Engstrom aren't NHL ready and play in Laval.

 

[morhilane]

https://twitter.com/EricEngels
Eric Engels
https://twitter.com/EricEngels
@EricEngels

D pairs:
Matheson-Savard
Guhle-Kovacevic
Harris-Xhekaj
Norlinder-Barron

Lindstrom in rotation

Doesn't sound good for Lindstrom, I'm expecting waivers for him later this week and probably one of Barron or Norlinder.

Same pairs as the last practice + Lindstrom.

I'm not quite sure what are the Habs's plan. If they want Norlinder/Barron to get minutes they are better off in Laval than in Montréal as the 7th D.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

https://twitter.com/EricEngels
Eric Engels
https://twitter.com/EricEngels
@EricEngels

D pairs:
Matheson-Savard
Guhle-Kovacevic
Harris-Xhekaj
Norlinder-Barron

Lindstrom in rotation

Doesn't sound good for Lindstrom, I'm expecting waivers for him later this week and probably one of Barron or Norlinder.

Send both Norlinder and Barron down and keep Lindstrom up?

 

[Hannibal]

Would prefer Xhekaj on the left side instead of Harris.

 

[EveryDay]

Marty doing things the way I would do them.

When the final cuts are made, I would send Norlinder and Barron down, because they need to play. Lindstrom can be the 7th D. He's probably gone after this year, so it's ok if he doesn't play that much this year.

It already seems like we'll have to make a lot of trades of dmen by this time next year. It looks like Mailloux, Reinbacher, Barron, and Norlinder will all graduate next year. That will leave us with:

Matheson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Mailloux
Xhekaj - Barron/Kovacevic
Harris, Norlinder
Savard traded

We will keep 7 dmen. So we'll have to trade 3 or 4 dmen within the next 1 year.

I prefer keeping Norlinder or Barron up honestly and do a rotation between either of them Harris and Xhekaj to start the season. Lindstrom doesn't bring anything to this team IMO.

 

[417]

Monahan and Lindstrom are back on the ice this morning.

I expect he's going to have a lot of "maintenance days" in an effort to protect the asset this season.

Last year was a disaster in general, but how they dealt with Monahan was almost malpractice lol

 

[EveryDay]

Would prefer Xhekaj on the left side instead of Harris.

Arber played a lot of games in Hamilton on the right side, did Harris played RD in the NCAA?

 

[417]

Send both Norlinder and Barron down and keep Lindstrom up?

I think that's what's going to happen.

But great camp by Norlinder, he's put hismelf back on the map and probably as the #1 callup on defence at this point.