I'm a bit torn on this. Maurice clearly is a method coach and his method is based on predictability, straight lines and mitigating risk. In many aspects simplifying things is generally the right approach as its easier to plug and play players and predictability lends itself knowing where certain people are. One of the best players to have ever played the game is Crosby and he plays a very north south almost simplistic/almost boring offensive game at times but he is so proficient because he his incredibly efficient and doesn't waste many chances or energy.
On player development his methods have helped a number of players have good careers when talent alone wouldn't suffice.
- Armia turned into a darn good two-way player
- Same with Tanev
- Copp
- Lowry a great defensive C
- Appelton looks like he is on the Tanev path
- Harkins looks like a gritty player with some touch that will be able to play up and down the lineup
- Chariot as a complimentary stay at home dmen
With regards to skilled players most have turned into excellent players:
- Morrissey very strong two-way dmen with leadership capabilities that will put up 40 ish points with minimal PP time.
- Pionk looks to have found his game in this system as a good PP qB puck Offensive second pairing anchor
- Laine looks like he is rounding into a very strong two way multi-faceted offensive 35 plus goal scorer
- Connor a lethal in close offensive player who is great on the fore-check and cycle (Not close yet defensively)
- Roslovic showing signs of a good all around play and forechecking with some skill thrown in
- Scheifele a dynamic offensive C that when he is on is great on the forecheck and through the nz
- Wheeler's game grew to new levels under Maurice as he simplified things
Ehelers is skilled and good enough in his own end that he has success despite not fully buying in.
Notable failures:
- Petan - Highly skilled but lacked the size and mindset to really excel on the lower lines and on the forecheck in a Maurice system. I thought he performed fairly well in limited minutes from an advanced stats point of view but wasn't to Maurices liking.
- Niku isn't a failure yet but he like Petan isn't great in his end and seems to play more of a creative/risky game.
My main issues are that allowances should be made for very talented players. Its not like this is a foreign concept to him either as Buff pretty much was allowed to due his thing with impunity for years here. I think for this org to have success Maurice needs to find the right balance between his method and allowing players to be creative. If we get another dmen to play with JoMo tomorrow perhaps it allows him to open things up a bit more,