i agree, i think the tmac was probably a bit of a players coach and was somewhat liked. i think there are a few minor changes so far and i expect bigger system changes to eventually be worked in down the road.
i think the main differences i see thus far come a bit more from effort and buy in with some minor detail changes. we saw a stretch of games earlier this season where they actually looked a bit similar as far as defensive coverage, backcheck etc. the video pointed out how hard the high fwd is coming back on the backcheck and that makes a massive difference as far as how easy it is to enter our zone or dump and retrieve. i see greater effort level to attack the puck carrier when appropriate and go and give 100% on puck battles and staying in the puck battle for as long as possible even in a losing cause. before, to me, it looked more like feigned effort level. i think they've really bought into what hitch is saying about "playing for each other rather than with each other".
i'm still a bit skeptical as to how long it will last but i think he's way more of a attention to details and hard a** than tmac.
The playing for each other vs with each other is a culture changing ask by Hitch, and when the wins come the mindset changes as confidence is bred from those wins, the result affirms the ask and the expectations change. With that the culture turns from expecting to lose to expecting to win. There is also zero question in my mind that TMac was a "players coach". Very compassionate with his players, Hitch is demanding as hell and as he said in his opening meeting with his players, don't take it personally.
Exhibit 1 is Hitch using Lucic on a line with Brodziak and Kassian and labelling the line as the 3rd line and even giving them a name and specific purpose. TMac never dared to try that, I think for fear the damage it would do to Lucic psyche. Hitch builds this line up as a purposeful line with an identity, ensures they aren't labelled as a 4th line in the media, increases their minutes and asks for the buy in. Lucic to his credit has bit hard on it, and it's working.
Exhibit 2 is Hitch asking for JP to be brought up and plays him on a 2nd line with some scoring potential and is coaching him up on using his frame to prevent attack rather than create attack, and coaching the offence from the transition those turnovers the attack prevention creates as the offensive catalyst. To that end he played JP in the last minute of a 1-0 game against the top team in the WC, and its highest scoring. A massive confidence builder for JP. Its a long term strategy and the thought is his offence will come from the confidence it creates on how to play a 200 foot game.
All long term strategies, but this team is now confident to play a 1-0 game and not try to stretch the lead by cheating for offence. Coaching to players strengths which as flawed as the roster is, uses what we have to our advantage and masks the deficiencies.
My sincere hope is the Oilers make the playoffs and Hitch gets coach of the year. This team is playing hard for each other right now so it is not out of the question. Biggest challenge IMO, goaltending. Hitch speaks the absolute truth when he says we need 2 goaltenders playing at the top of their games to win. I hope Talbot stays on his game and Kostko doesn't lose his. They both give us a fighting chance each game.