Irie
Registered User
I dunno, I only watched a couple of those “Hard Knocks” style training camp reality shows last pre-season, so maybe I missed a lot…but MacLellan struck me as a “play hard and the rest will sort itself out” coach without a lot of tactical nous.
Where’s that Kings dude with the Kopitar pfp who showed up in GDTs asking about Dunn’s health when we need him? Is MacLellan a bum or what?
McLellan hockey is boring. He runs a 1-3-1 and when his teams are on, there tends to be very little flow to games - which is exactly how he wants it.
When his guys are buying in and their gap control is on point, they can really shut opponents down, but if they fall behind early, or guys aren't playing as disciplined as the system requires, his system seemed to fall apart fairly easily. As soon as the King's would spread the ice even a little, maybe pushing for some offense, the neutral zone opened up and there were always lanes to take the blue line and that last defender was usually caught flat-footed. If they aren't forcing opponents to dump and chase, they have trouble.
His team really needs a good PP to offset their weak forecheck and lack of quality chances at even strength, so I am not sure the Kraken have enough top end personnel to be a good fit.