It definitely is on some of those players but to be fair we've tried for the exact same type of old school coach each time. Maybe they need to shift their coaching philosophy because for better or for worse we are stuck with this core for another half a decade.
This is an issue for sure.
Several pundits who cover the Jets even incidentally, and Murat who covers them exclusively, have wondered if the rigid adherence to Top 6/ checking / energy is actually an organizational imperative, not a coaching choice.
If so, then as you and others have pointed out, we're drafting for skill and IQ with a handful of spots to plug them into, instead of moving towards rolling 4 lines that blend skill, speed and other attributes (forechecking, puck retrieval, transition, speed, shot, etc). At times this year we've been close, but the default is always the default.
And the tactics are always the tactics. Chip n' chase, rim round the boards (though look at our D corps) cycle cycle cycle looking for the opening, PP get 'er back to the point, etc). When 55 says "We don't make adjustments," despite him being part of the problem, he's right.
With this core and the assets it spent on, and the season-long record, this team should have been able to, at the very least, play the Avs close in a 6 or 7 game series, and at best win it. Maybe they'll come out strong tomorrow and hang on for a win -- but even then few believe they'll carry that over.
At some point, the NHL playoffs are gruelling, and teams need their best selves to make it through round by round. With the Jets, for too long now, it's like all the worst parts of the team's game leak out instead.
Bones is many good things, but he is not the coach to solve these issues. Sitting Miller, a vet RHD brought in for the playoffs, for all but a few games, exposing Samberg on his offside -- why? Bringing in AJF, who hasn't been a Jets regular for most of the season, on a prayer -- why? Insisting on playing Pionk for 20 mins a game, despite the chaos he causes, and the penalties he takes, for the entire effing season -- why? Refusing to slot in your 19 goal scorer with strong defensive metrics, when you're leaking goals and can't seem to buy one -- why?
He's an intuitive coach. As Murat writes,
"Bowness has said many times that he coaches by feel, trusting his gut, and that he’s happier to lose coaching his way than changing his approach to the game."
Not sure his gut is making the right moves atm.
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