HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
In regards to Laviolette, I think his questionable lineup decisions are tied to his decades long habit of setting them based on practices and film sessions.
We hear it a lot from him. "It's the unit we've gone with in practice" He doesn't like to deviate and go with his gut during the game. Thats why we see the same players in the same roles. He isn't comfortable putting a player (especially a young one) in a spot just because they are having a good game.
An example: Multiple times he could have had Cuylle out there late in games when he had a hot stick but instead he was toting Kreider and Mika when they were just driftwood at the time. Because thats the units they go with in practice. Set plays. Set approaches. Set units. Dont deviate from that. God Forbid. Too risky.
Once he decided Cuylle earned his trust, he made the lines switch and now you see him in some of those scenarios.
In regards to Jones, I think once he forms an opinion on a player its hard to break it. I also believe that he specifically doesnt like having two undersized, similarly skilled offensive minded Dmen in the lineup at the same time in Jones and Fox. Thats why we are seeing Jones get more ice time now that Fox is sidelined. He just sees him as a backup to Fox and not a standalone threat on the ice.
We hear it a lot from him. "It's the unit we've gone with in practice" He doesn't like to deviate and go with his gut during the game. Thats why we see the same players in the same roles. He isn't comfortable putting a player (especially a young one) in a spot just because they are having a good game.
An example: Multiple times he could have had Cuylle out there late in games when he had a hot stick but instead he was toting Kreider and Mika when they were just driftwood at the time. Because thats the units they go with in practice. Set plays. Set approaches. Set units. Dont deviate from that. God Forbid. Too risky.
Once he decided Cuylle earned his trust, he made the lines switch and now you see him in some of those scenarios.
In regards to Jones, I think once he forms an opinion on a player its hard to break it. I also believe that he specifically doesnt like having two undersized, similarly skilled offensive minded Dmen in the lineup at the same time in Jones and Fox. Thats why we are seeing Jones get more ice time now that Fox is sidelined. He just sees him as a backup to Fox and not a standalone threat on the ice.