Guy Boucher was able to install a defense-first system when he was here and got the team into the playoffs. So yes, I think a better coach who preaches defense-first can make the GA/GP better and get us into the playoffs. If Green adopts a "my way or the highway" "defence-first" approach and is backed up by Staios in applying accountability, then I think we can make the playoffs.
it wasn't defense with Boucher. People have misunderstood his system.
Boucher saw the game as a NASCAR race. Go around a track counter clockwise.
Karlsson, Cicci, Weidman...RHDs, puck movers
3 of the 4 centers were lefties.. Perfect to receive a pass from the RHD who is carrying it out
RW were big (Stone, Ryan , et all).. The LHC would feed the puck to the right side and they did the work
Now once the puck was lost. The center (Sens' center) stood at the right of the net (His right, the goalies left). That forced their D men to go right. Other teams had LHD as puck movers. So now, they were on their backhand.
It forced a backhand pass... clumsy
The Sens LW, hung back and clogged the left side (Our left, their right). On D, the Sens had Methot, Phaneuf and BOBO as LHD. Big, mean and physical.
Not defensive, but awkward to play against.
Why it collapsed?
Meth gone in expansion.
Karlsson injured
.Cecci the yips.
Midnight struck on Dion.
Karlsson/Hoffman and the harassment scandal.
Kyle Turris wanting to be paid
Midnight struck on Bobby Ryan and Zack Smith
One miserable summer of 2017 and into 2018 sank the ship.
Green needs to implement some system/style to make this team awkward to play against.