Can someone explain why Ralph Krueger went from visionary to moron?

[Vukotal Recall]

I, like many others, was convinced he was a progressive, offense-oriented coach -- bringing soccer strategy and new tactical perspectives -- who got a raw deal in Edmonton. He even turned Yakupov into a real NHL player. I was so stoked for Buffalo when they hired him, only for him to turn into.... well, we all know now. Did his best to destroy Dahlin, Skinner, and on and on.

But why? Was his original rep an illusion, or did he change?

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Illusion. He wasn't qualified for NHL coaching or soccer management (?), but somehow has a personality that convinced people that he was.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The NHL's Ted Lasso

 

[Satoru Gojo]

I don't think he was that great in Edmonton, he was succeeded by Dallas Eakins who can make any prior coach look good

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

I’d guess that he didn’t get enough time in Edmonton to implement his system. Since he talks good and was arguably fired too soon he then has kinda a halo effect, and no one knew it was all bullshit until Buffalo happened.

In Buffalo it was like we all just kept waiting for the system to work- we knew it was complicated, but eventually guys would get it! Turns out it was overly complicated and/or ineffective.

 

[Killer Orca]

Heard of Jim Benning sometimes people just luck into positions.

 

[Caroline Says ll]

He is a snake oil salesmen. He speaks in these broad, different messages than the typical NHL coach talking points - yet they are all either irrelevant or not adhered to. It makes him seem philosophical and wise, yet he could not properly coach. He in every stop he's had held grudges against certain players, while loving absolute plugs just like any typical coach.

 

[jc17]

He did not bring in any soccer tactics.

He had success with the swiss team or something, demanding guys play a very structured game, and cut guys that didn't buy in. I guess they outperformed their talent level as a team.

This didn't work in the NHL, handicapped skilled players, and made everyone overthink. Yakupov had his best year under Ralph, but if you go back and read the Edmonton board he limited yaks minutes when he would make mistakes, which isn't how you develop a young skilled guy

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I’d guess that he didn’t get enough time in Edmonton to implement his system. Since he talks good and was arguably fired too soon he then has kinda a halo effect, and no one knew it was all bullshit until Buffalo happened.

In Buffalo it was like we all just kept waiting for the system to work- we knew it was complicated, but eventually guys would get it! Turns out it was overly complicated and/or ineffective.

One of the worst coaches I ever had was a guy who touted his incredibly complicated "system". It became super obvious in short order that it was a cover he used to confuse us into thinking he was wayyy smarter than us. In fact, he did not have a clue what he was even implementing.

I get the feeling that Krueger was exactly the same type of guy. He convinced people who didn't really know the game that he had this amazing system, but really it was all talk and meant nothing.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

No, just don't look behind the curtain

 

[Onslow]

Tage Thompson is a star center since Krueger left. Skinner is back to being a first line winger at ppg pace. Dahlin is turning into a legit #1 dman.

Krueger was the worst thing to happen to Buffalo’s young players development, and probably set the team back considerably.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

He is a snake oil salesmen. He speaks in these broad, different messages than the typical NHL coach talking points - yet they are all either irrelevant or not adhered to. It makes him seem philosophical and wise, yet he could not properly coach. He in every stop he's had held grudges against certain players, while loving absolute plugs just like any typical coach.

I don't know how many people know about Joe Judge, former HC of the NY Giants but that sounds like him.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

He was a, straight up, defensive coach.

There was nothing offensive or progressive about him.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I'm going to assume it's you're typical "I'm smarter than everybody else" hiring and proved they in fact, weren't f***ing close..

 

[The Panther]

People act like "Krueger made Yakupov" great, but he didn't. Yakupov was an NHL rookie who shot 21.0% in 48 (okay, but nothing great) games in 2013. After that fluke short season, he was around an 8% NHL shooter, giving new definition to the word "unsustainable".

The Oilers that (short) season were slightly competitive, but not very good and missed the playoffs. It's not like Krueger did anything wonderful, result-wise.

I personally thought he did rather well his first season in Buffalo. The club was a much-improved .493. Sabres' fans seemed to turn on him quickly, though.

 

[Spawn]

I’d guess that he didn’t get enough time in Edmonton to implement his system. Since he talks good and was arguably fired too soon he then has kinda a halo effect, and no one knew it was all bullshit until Buffalo happened.

In Buffalo it was like we all just kept waiting for the system to work- we knew it was complicated, but eventually guys would get it! Turns out it was overly complicated and/or ineffective.

Oiler fans knew it was bullshit. There is a reason why he was called Wreck It Ralph by the time he was fired. Krueger is more of a motivational speaker than he is a coach. Honestly its the same with Dallas Eakins. Guys who talk a good game but don't actually know what they are doing.

 

[Ace]

Taylor Hall believed in him enough to go back to him. Krueger got TWO GOALS out of him that year.

Even the people close to him were duped.

 

[MessierII]

He was a very good assistant in Edmonton people tend to forget that. He ran our special teams when rennet was the head coach and they were top notch even with our crappy roster. He’s just not a head coach. It seems when things spiral downwards he just doesn’t have an answer and it leads to him getting fired.

 

[Super Hans]

His brother Freddy was a "visionary" too who ruined people who dared to dream.

 

[Jeremy2020]

His brother Freddy was a "visionary" too who ruined people who dared to dream.

would take him as a coach over Ralph 10/10 times.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

His brother Freddy was a "visionary" too who ruined people who dared to dream.

And was a better looking guy than the Red Wings head coach.

 

[Realgud]

lol this thread title

 

[Montag DP]

Oiler fans knew it was bullshit. There is a reason why he was called Wreck It Ralph by the time he was fired. Krueger is more of a motivational speaker than he is a coach. Honestly its the same with Dallas Eakins. Guys who talk a good game but don't actually know what they are doing.

Motivational until things start going south. Then he just becomes a sanctimonious jerk. He has to be one of the most arrogant coaches I've ever seen, throwing everyone else under the bus when he was clearly incompetent.

 

[Ratsreign]

I, like many others, was convinced he was a progressive, offense-oriented coach -- bringing soccer strategy and new tactical perspectives -- who got a raw deal in Edmonton. He even turned Yakupov into a real NHL player. I was so stoked for Buffalo when they hired him, only for him to turn into.... well, we all know now. Did his best to destroy Dahlin, Skinner, and on and on.

But why? Was his original rep an illusion, or did he change?

 

[Sweetpotato]

Very very good talker. Could get a lot out of the Oilers players that year but had no idea what he was doing in terms of the X's and O's. Was VERY easily out coached. I don't know enough about his time in Buffalo but in Edmonton players had career years under him I'm sure in part due to his demeanor.

All that said, I've heard player rave about him as a person he strikes me as a guy you'd go through a wall for so it doesn't surprise me but buffalo was; apparently, very different.