Management Coach DJ Smith - Part 2

[Beech]

crap, you've uncovered my secret identity...

you know that; that is my personal belief.. one day, you will be exposed CJ.

 

[ffayyca]

Which strategies and what game management would you like to see improve.

Zone break out, they need to stop using the bank pass so much. Players cannot get it cleanly which results a lot of icing and broken plays. I want to see more support on the break out as five man unit. In the neutral zone, try more cross ice passes to open up space to grain zone entry with control.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Zone break out, they need to stop using the bank pass so much. Players cannot get it cleanly which results a lot of icing and broken plays. I want to see more support on the break out as five man unit. In the neutral zone, try more cross ice passes to open up space to grain zone entry with control.

The bank pass, stretch pass is to make a D backup to protect their zone.
Also used as a tip play to get puck deep, when a line change is due.

 

[Cosmix]

I don’t mind the idea of DJ staying.

He’s been given the worst rosters, with the worst luck. A coach can only do so much.

If he’s a scapegoat for Dorion, it’s an absolute gong-show.

I agree. He has had to manage the team with Dorion's roster. DJ has one year left on his contract so I would keep him for now until we get a new GM in place. The new GM can then hire his own scouts, coaches, development staff, etc. If the new GM wants DJ gone before his announcemnt, so be it.

 

[aragorn]

Zone break out, they need to stop using the bank pass so much. Players cannot get it cleanly which results a lot of icing and broken plays. I want to see more support on the break out as five man unit. In the neutral zone, try more cross ice passes to open up space to grain zone entry with control.

Coaches get grey hair watching cross ice passes, those are also the ones where we see the most breakaways going the wrong way which explains coaches drinking Peto-Bismol like it's water.

 

[Cosmix]

I want to see better tighter defensive play in our D zone by the forwards, instead of seeing them watching the puck a lot from the slot. D zone coverage is really bad and the Fs leaving the zone before the Ds get puck possession must stop.

 

[aragorn]

I want to see better tighter defensive play in our D zone by the forwards, instead of seeing them watching the puck a lot from the slot. D zone coverage is really bad and the Fs leaving the zone before the Ds get puck possession must stop.

I think the Fs leaving the zone early is a strategy we see a lot of teams using, remember the NHL is a copycat league. Once the drop pass was introduced every team started using it. We saw M. Tkachuk & Stone do it a lot during the playoffs, it's another way to get the puck out of the zone since it forces the D on that side to back up taking him out of the offensive zone. Sometimes it works & sometimes it doesn't but it's clearly another strategy being deployed by teams.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

Which strategies and what game management would you like to see improve.

They've been covered ad nauseum. If you don't see the deficiencies with this team 5v5, PK, and even PP to a certain extent over the past few seasons, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Beech]

I think the Fs leaving the zone early is a strategy we see a lot of teams using, remember the NHL is a copycat league. Once the drop pass was introduced every team started using it. We saw M. Tkachuk & Stone do it a lot during the playoffs, it's another way to get the puck out of the zone since it forces the D on that side to back up taking him out of the offensive zone. Sometimes it works & sometimes it doesn't but it's clearly another strategy being deployed by teams.

82 games played, 86 points, 261 goals for, 271 goals against.. out of the playoffs.

strategy is great, results are needed.

Calgary is the only team with a positive goal differential that missed the playoffs. No team with a negative differential made the playoffs.

only the Florida panthers had more goals against and got into the playoffs
3 teams had a lower goals for and got in, but those 3 teams had a way better goals against.

so.. play better, score a few more goals, give up a few less goals.

Coaching... DJ and company.

 

[aragorn]

82 games played, 86 points, 261 goals for, 271 goals against.. out of the playoffs.

strategy is great, results are needed.

Calgary is the only team with a positive goal differential that missed the playoffs. No team with a negative differential made the playoffs.

only the Florida panthers had more goals against and got into the playoffs
3 teams had a lower goals for and got in, but those 3 teams had a way better goals against.

so.. play better, score a few more goals, give up a few less goals.

Coaching... DJ and company.

Exactly & they are not the far off. They may lose some scoring with DBC leaving but Norris could make up for most of it. If he is not moved & starts the season here & plays with Norris & Batherson they could take off as a line. One of the reasons I want them to get bigger on D specifically the 3rd pairing is to cut down on goals against & clearly they need a little more help from the forwards but it's really goaltending that needs to improve dramatically with a clear #1 who is stable & healthy.

 

[Golden_Jet]

They've been covered ad nauseum. If you don't see the deficiencies with this team 5v5, PK, and even PP to a certain extent over the past few seasons, I don't know what to tell you.

So you got nothing, just using words to make it sound good. Thanks.
See a lot of people say what you said, thought I’d ask their opinions this time.

 

[BankStreetParade]

82 games played, 86 points, 261 goals for, 271 goals against.. out of the playoffs.

strategy is great, results are needed.

Calgary is the only team with a positive goal differential that missed the playoffs. No team with a negative differential made the playoffs.

only the Florida panthers had more goals against and got into the playoffs
3 teams had a lower goals for and got in, but those 3 teams had a way better goals against.

so.. play better, score a few more goals, give up a few less goals.

Coaching... DJ and company.

How many of those playoff teams had their #7 goalie start a game for them?

 

[Beech]

How many of those playoff teams had their #7 goalie start a game for them?

I get you..

but the primitive data (not advanced analytics).. suggest that a mere 5-10 goals-for more and ideally about 10-15 goals less against would have gotten them in.

that needed to be squeezed out.. coaching.

It is incredible how the most basic stat of Goal-differential is the truest indicator of entry or missing the playoffs.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I get you..

but the primitive data (not advanced analytics).. suggest that a mere 5-10 goals-for more and ideally about 10-15 goals less against would have gotten them in.

that needed to be squeezed out.. coaching.

It is incredible how the most basic stat of Goal-differential is the truest indicator of entry or missing the playoffs.

Empty net goals against 14 and 6 for. So a -8.
Top team Rangers +1 differential, worst team SJ and ST Louis -17.
Yep need to improve like you said though.

https://morehockeystats.com/teams/en

 

[Beech]

Empty net goals against 14 and 6 for. So a -8.
Top team Rangers +1 differential, worst team SJ and ST Louis -17.
Yep need to improve like you said though.

https://morehockeystats.com/teams/en

there is probably more to your point than what I am seeing.

 

[Golden_Jet]

there is probably more to your point than what I am seeing.

It was more agreeing with you , and adding an fyi.

 

[Beech]

It was more agreeing with you , and adding an fyi.

okay..

 

[Cosmix]

I think the Fs leaving the zone early is a strategy we see a lot of teams using, remember the NHL is a copycat league. Once the drop pass was introduced every team started using it. We saw M. Tkachuk & Stone do it a lot during the playoffs, it's another way to get the puck out of the zone since it forces the D on that side to back up taking him out of the offensive zone. Sometimes it works & sometimes it doesn't but it's clearly another strategy being deployed by teams.

I agree; however, sometimes two Fs leave the zone and the team does not have puck possession, resulting in increased shots against and GA. I think the D zone play needs to be tightened up.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I agree; however, sometimes two Fs leave the zone and the team does not have puck possession, resulting in increased shots against and GA. I think the D zone play needs to be tightened up.

It’s timing, defensive skill, and assumptions.

You have to expect your D to be able to do his part, because you’re trying to the get the jump on the D man you’re bursting past.

Problem for us is our D struggles to make the play, and the Forward was already jumping without us actually having control.

I feel like experience and skill can make this play effective. When it works for us it looks glorious.

Obviously we need a few tools in the bag to switch it up sometimes, we need better execution, and we need forwards faster to adapt when the play fails.

 

[BoardsofCanada]

It's not strategy or coaching. It's execution and that's on the players on the ice. Our guys just weren't good enough last season. Goaltending and injuries were a big part why we missed. I would argue coaching was the only reason we were still in contention in the last few weeks.

 

[Bileur]

It’s timing, defensive skill, and assumptions.

You have to expect your D to be able to do his part, because you’re trying to the get the jump on the D man you’re bursting past.

Problem for us is our D struggles to make the play, and the Forward was already jumping without us actually having control.

I feel like experience and skill can make this play effective. When it works for us it looks glorious.

Obviously we need a few tools in the bag to switch it up sometimes, we need better execution, and we need forwards faster to adapt when the play fails.

Having at least one of Chabot, Sanderson, Chychrun, Brannstrom and Zub who can make a good pass on the ice at all times should hopefully reduce the f*** up rate.

 

[Cosmix]

It's not strategy or coaching. It's execution and that's on the players on the ice. Our guys just weren't good enough last season. Goaltending and injuries were a big part why we missed. I would argue coaching was the only reason we were still in contention in the last few weeks.

I think there are several reasons for the poor D zone play: One is the players who do not all have the required skillsets to beat the opponents, players who focus on offence rather than defensive play (because scoring players get paid more), coaching (for the on-ice strategy and not holding players accountable), GM (for nor acquiring better players), and owner (for not paying salaries to the cap ceiling to get better players).

I expect the new ownership will start to address these issues oncde he is in control.

 

[aragorn]

I think there are several reasons for the poor D zone play: One is the players who do not all have the required skillsets to beat the opponents, players who focus on offence rather than defensive play (because scoring players get paid more), coaching (for the on-ice strategy and not holding players accountable), GM (for nor acquiring better players), and owner (for not paying salaries to the cap ceiling to get better players).

I expect the new ownership will start to address these issues oncde he is in control.

IDK ... most owners care about the finances moreso than the players, they pay the experts to take care of the players & the product on the ice. If the product hurts the finances than I would expect that the experts would make changes before the owner has to step in. Owners are schmusing with the rich advertisers & politicians in the city & doing PR work in their suites. EM usually had suits in his suite & was always talking to them until he knew he would be on camera.

We are almost at the cap now so spending is not the problem any more & it becomes a personnel & execution problem, but I would also add youth given our best players are still very young & make mistakes. Once these guys get into the 24 - 28 range is when they will have the experience, maturity, knowledge & ability to recognize things more, adjust better & certainly execute better & more consistently. How old was OV before Trotz convinced him to change his game to help the team win a cup? Maturity comes with age & hopefully they come to realize to win it takes a 3 zone defensive structure & great transition game to win now in the NHL. I think they are getting there but it always takes longer than we would like but good goaltending IMO seems to be the biggest need on this team at this time.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

 

[swiftwin]

DJ Smith getting a few votes to win the Jack Adams this year.

Sportsnet NHL Insider predictions for 2023-24 season

The 2023-24 NHL season is here and Sportsnet's insiders share their predictions for what lies ahead. Who will win the Stanley Cup? Norris Trophy? How many goals will Connor Bedard score? And more.

www.sportsnet.ca