Dominique Ducharme. Interim head coach of the Habs thread

[morhilane]

Team might be worse under Ducharme. Usually a new coach at least gives you a "new coach lift". But nothing.

The team is playing better under Ducharme and many of the players looks a lot more motivated.

Ducharme "new coach lift" was nerfed by him changing the systems/structures without practices...and there is nothing he can do for aging regressing players.

 

[Archijerej]

Well, then we'll need to have alot more diversity in the ozone when everybody's settled,because the only play they use is pass to the point,shot on net, try to deflect or get the rebound..Rinse wash repeat

Agreed. I think that's part of the plan as well. We've been trying some plays with a high forward near the blueline, which was a rarity under Muller. It will take time to execute those consistently. There's also the question of whether our defencemen are suited for this kind of play.

Anyways, I was an advocate for this change and found Mullers' system infuriatingly primitive.

 

[Belial]

The team is playing better under Ducharme and many of the players looks a lot more motivated.

Ducharme "new coach lift" was nerfed by him changing the systems/structures without practices...and there is nothing he can do for aging regressing players.

I'm not gonna go as far as all the team but Drouin is definitely revived, i hope he can do even better going forward

 

[Whitesnake]

Ducharme explanation for not using Romanov on OT....yet. He doesn't want him to skip any stages and doesn't want to bring him too rapidly at the spots where they envision using him. Afraid that by doing it it might slow down his progression. So it's all about coaches being prudent. You can agree. Or disagree. But calling him a moron for thinking it makes no sense. Personnally, I would still use Romanov. Nobody ask him to be there all 5 minutes. But at one point, you will need to add him to your prefered usage. It's not like he's 18.

 

[le_sean]

“He’s too young. I’d rather the worst defenceman in the NHL out there”

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Ducharme explanation for not using Romanov on OT....yet. He doesn't want him to skip any stages and doesn't want to bring him too rapidly at the spots where they envision using him. Afraid that by doing it it might slow down his progression. So it's all about coaches being prudent. You can agree. Or disagree. But calling him a moron for thinking it makes no sense. Personnally, I would still use Romanov. Nobody ask him to be there all 5 minutes. But at one point, you will need to add him to your prefered usage. It's not like he's 18.

I'm okay with him not using Romanov in OT. I'm not okay with him playing KK 12 mins a night.

And I'm definitely not okay with our GM having junk on the left side. Right now we've got ONE blueliner who can be really effective in OT and that's it.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

“He’s too young. I’d rather the worst defenceman in the NHL out there”

The fact that we have to look to a raw rookie is ridiculous. I get him not wanting to put him out there.

Why the hell do we have the D we do? Ask that question instead.

 

[le_sean]

The fact that we have to look to a raw rookie is ridiculous. I get him not wanting to put him out there.

Why the hell do we have the D we do? Ask that question instead.

I don’t think it’s ridiculous. He’s not your typical 20 year old that went from juniors to the NHL. He was in the KHL before, the 2nd best league in the world. He deserves a vote of confidence, it’s pond hockey anyways. It’s all about skating, why are we putting defenders that are only good at winning board battles?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I don’t think it’s ridiculous. He’s not your typical 20 year old that went from juniors to the NHL. He was in the KHL before, the 2nd best league in the world. He deserves a vote of confidence, it’s pond hockey anyways. It’s all about skating, why are we putting defenders that are only good at winning board battles?

It’s not ridiculous to play him.

Its ridiculous that we have to depend on him.

Like I said, we’ve got one blueliner that’s a good option in OT- Petry. That’s it. Romanov might actually be a better option than Weber due to speed. The fact that he might be our second best option is pretty insane.

 

[salbutera]

It’s not ridiculous to play him.

Its ridiculous that we have to depend on him.

Like I said, we’ve got one blueliner that’s a good option in OT- Petry. That’s it. Romanov might actually be a better option than Weber due to speed. The fact that he might be our second best option is pretty insane.

Kulak also - he was an offensive juggernaut in juniors. Always been an offensive Dman, has been trying to be more defensive minded in the NHL, but his natural instinct is to be offensive & he can skate.

 

[le_sean]

It’s not ridiculous to play him.

Its ridiculous that we have to depend on him.

Like I said, we’ve got one blueliner that’s a good option in OT- Petry. That’s it. Romanov might actually be a better option than Weber due to speed. The fact that he might be our second best option is pretty insane.

But they have options. They have three guys that would be decent 3 on 3. However he goes with the other, slow and stupid options.

At the same time he still gives the most TOI to Chiarot. So maybe he’s not as smart as we thought.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Kulak also - he was an offensive juggernaut in juniors. Always been an offensive Dman, has been trying to be more defensive minded in the NHL, but his natural instinct is to be offensive & he can skate.

Kulak sucks.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

But they have options.

No, not really. Our backend sucks.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Kulak sucks.

But not as much as Chiarot

 

[Tighthead]

Did Colorado do the same with Makar? Canucks with Hughes? Honest questions.

I appreciate that DD has a rationale, I just don’t agree with it. Especially when OT is a wasteland right now.

 

[morhilane]

Did Colorado do the same with Makar? Canucks with Hughes? Honest questions.

I appreciate that DD has a rationale, I just don’t agree with it. Especially when OT is a wasteland right now.

I can't say for those other players, but Romanov still has panicky moments, his self-confidence isn't back at 100% yet.

 

[Tighthead]

I can't say for those other players, but Romanov still has panicky moments, his self-confidence isn't back at 100% yet.

Maybe playing him in OT would build confidence.

So many decisions are based on avoiding failure. Constant state of fear.

 

[Richard Bolton]

Romanov often gets stuck on the ice for long presences still. In OT, it goes fast. He could get stuck, gassed out and it could be costly. It will come eventually, but I do not disagree with it.

 

[salbutera]

Did Colorado do the same with Makar? Canucks with Hughes? Honest questions.

I appreciate that DD has a rationale, I just don’t agree with it. Especially when OT is a wasteland right now.

Makar was 21.5 when he played his first game, Hughes was on a Van team with zero expectations.

Unless MB addresses 1st pairing LD via trade, I expect Romanov will be slotted in by April

 

[salbutera]

Kulak sucks.

Yup - unfortunately only skating options on D are Petry, Romanov and Kulak since Mete is cemented as 7D

 

[le_sean]

No, not really. Our backend sucks.

At the same time if you had six guys that excel 3 on 3, you’ll probably suck 5 on 5. It’s not real hockey.

 

[BLONG7]

The 3 on 3 OT players, have to be strong skaters......that would be their most important features, strong and fast skaters....Romy can handle himself in OT every bit as much as some of our bigger lumbering Dmen....
Watch the other teams and learn Dom. We have lost 5 games in OT, what we are doing, is NOT working.
Change is needed.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Maybe playing him in OT would build confidence.

So many decisions are based on avoiding failure. Constant state of fear.

So sick and tired of the conservatism.

The whole organization is bland and is in major need of some boldness

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Romanov often gets stuck on the ice for long presences still. In OT, it goes fast. He could get stuck, gassed out and it could be costly. It will come eventually, but I do not disagree with it.

Costly?? We haven't won ONCE in OT.

Tell me how can it be more costly than already losing each and every time?

Worst that can happen... hold on, it's a big one... is that we'll just simply lose again!

 

[Vachon23]

Did Colorado do the same with Makar? Canucks with Hughes? Honest questions.

I appreciate that DD has a rationale, I just don’t agree with it. Especially when OT is a wasteland right now.

Romanov is not a there level either