Coaching is a serious problem.

[nhlfan9191]

It's like they can't win with some fans. The past few weeks it was all about the D zone coverage, they do well in that regard and the improvement is dismissed as if it wasn't the system working as intended and then you change the goal posts and bring up something different.

I wouldn’t say they did well in front of the net at all last night. The goals that were scored against were ugly and there were plenty more of ugly scrambles that we got bailed out on. Too many point blank opportunities close in the slot. I expect some of that with such a green team but still a lot to be desired.

 

[pepperMonkey]

The only player from last year’s roster is Guhle and we're playing worse this year than last year.

Again — no one is expecting the moon, just some serious hockey. Be hard to play against. It isn’t asking for much.

No one should call for MSL’s head either, but he should do a better job of coaching. These issues are not sudden or new. We’ve always been tactically naive. It’s time to shape it up.

Being hard to play against would mean the team is fundamentally a decent team. A bottom-tier team is not a decent team. We aren't there yet so to expect them to be a decent team is asking a little too much.

 

[Sorinth]

I wouldn’t say they did well in front of the net at all last night. The goals that were scored against were ugly and there were plenty more of ugly scrambles that we got bailed out on. Too many point blank opportunities close in the slot. I expect some of that with such a green team but still a lot to be desired.

So first I would mention, that by narrowing it down to "in front of the net" it's already moving the goal posts from the complaints (Not necessarily yours in particular) over the past couple weeks about coaching, systems, etc...

Second, sure there were some down low chances but it didn't seem particularly bad to me so perhaps it's a case of expectations especially when it comes to coaching. Because I don't think any coach/system can prevent a giant from driving the net and scoring a goal, good players can and will overwhelm you from time to time, that's why they are good players.

 

[Adriatic]

For me it s hard to argue that CAR defense squad is made of great Dmen but they buy in a very efficient system which yields convincing results.

I can see the similarities but that Carolina defense has a lot, and I mean a lot of experience. Habs defense is much too green and expecting that kind of play from them is a little unfair at the moment.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I can see the similarities but that Carolina defense has a lot, and I mean a lot of experience. Habs defense is much too green and expecting that kind of play from them is a little unfair at the moment.

You need to start early if you want them to make any progress : Slavin Pesce Hamilton were 24-25 in 2019

 

[HabsAddict]

Comment elsewhere on Marty changing the game and outlet passes....

.......

As my wife says, no outlet, will cry...wait, she means outlet store...

The BIGGEST problem, the one that SCREAMS failure is that a zone defense traps the one that uses it. MTheads solution that we all love is "off the glass", but it might as well bring up an AHL team because it's impossible to win if you're playing all night in your zone.

What i saw last night was less opposition cycling and several time they carried the puck through the middle.

Did they find a solution? Nope. Just a lot more active then circling the wagons and waiting to execute Custers...err...Martys last stand. It's not going to work against a high compete Booins team. It will get us points against lesser teams, which is important, and eventually, with a lot deadlier offense, let's say an offense that has a Demigod and Laine in it, teams will back off getting caught that deep...and paying the price.

Marty is not reinventing any square wheels, this tight zone defense was a staple in the Jesus Price era and it somewhat worked back then. Remember the small "speedy" teams we had? We got that reputation from breaking out from our defensive shell. We just looked fast because we had to skate out like demonds to even pretend we had an offense.

Now we want a bigger, heavier team.

Maybe the blinding puck skills of a Demidov and Hutson along with the shot of Laine or CC will push back someone like the Booins going deep in our zone snd pinching defenseman.

Let's see...because us walking on the Promised Land depends on it.

 

[salbutera]

Agreed. Anderson has been a surprising (good surprising) revelation on PK

Not really a “revelation” that was his role in Columbus and he did it well - for some reason Habs acquired him and changed his role from 3rd liner w size & speed + PK specialist

I can see the similarities but that Carolina defense has a lot, and I mean a lot of experience. Habs defense is much too green and expecting that kind of play from them is a little unfair at the moment.

Just Slavin has more pro experience than Hutson + Struble + Xhekaj + Mailloux + Guhle combined…

 

[Sorinth]

Since I've mostly defended MSL in this thread I feel I should mention I feel like he should 100% take the fine and criticize the refs and defend Xhekaj in the post game PC. I don't really expect it, but I think it would be huge for Xhekaj confidence for his coach to go to bat for him publicly in this instance.

 

[1909]

Finally, they played two consecutive games with some intensity. Maybe the media and fans pressure had some effects on MSL and the players. But MSL will reject that idea…of course. His bosses though are smelling the coffee, and Mr.Molson, his beer’s sale.

 

[salbutera]

So if Habs “coaching is a serious problem”, what about the rest of the division?

 

[Rapala]

So if Habs “coaching is a serious problem”, what about the rest of the division?

Not one person complained about the standings so using it and other team's performances to try and make your point is lame.
Most people are happy we've shown we have a heart beat but let's not try to pretend these were coaching masterpieces.
Mock much do you?

 

[salbutera]

Not one person complained about the standings so using it and other team's performances to try and make your point is lame.
Most people are happy we've shown we have a heart beat but let's not try to pretend these were coaching masterpieces.
Mock much do you?

“Coaching masterpieces” don’t exist in the NHL… it’s a myth

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Pacing for 82 points. Right around where I think most people had us. I think we finish with a little more. The schedule has more to do with it than anything. A team like the Rangers is going to crush us. But Philly? St Louis? We can beat those clubs.

Also, just great to see Dach coming back.

 

[Rapala]

“Coaching masterpieces” don’t exist in the NHL… it’s a myth

Okay so I exaggerated a tad but there is a reason the term out-coached exists..

The decisions on which personnel to use and how to get them on the ice in any given situation has a huge impact on the outcome.

That is without even getting into game planning for specific opposition and team structure.

So think what you want but solid coaching is not a myth.

 

[JustAHabFan]

The good thing is the Habs played active layered defense. When other team players get through our blue line, there will be Habs player in front of him. When he managed to get through that player there will be another Habs player waiting for him.