The Martin St Louis Thread

[Lafleurs Guy]

The overuse of Matheson has to stop. I don't understand why he gets every opportunity with little to no consequence. It feels like another Desharnais or Drouin, which is why this coaching staff doesn't look like an improvement over the past 3 regime's.

Because he’s mobile and one of the only vets we have in the backend

 

[puckeater]

Hmm I didn’t post that. Anyway, the current team personnel are left over from the old regime. We see how lousy they were at their jobs. I’ll be patient until we see the majority of Hugo picks in the lineup.

 

[teamfirst]

Hmm I didn’t post that. Anyway, the current team personnel are left over from the old regime. We see how lousy they were at their jobs. I’ll be patient until we see the majority of Hugo picks in the lineup.

9 players from Hugo regime on the team now.....should take another 3 years

 

[Team_Spirit]

The overuse of Matheson has to stop. I don't understand why he gets every opportunity with little to no consequence. It feels like another Desharnais or Drouin, which is why this coaching staff doesn't look like an improvement over the past 3 regime's.

 

[Hins77]

The overuse of Matheson has to stop. I don't understand why he gets every opportunity with little to no consequence. It feels like another Desharnais or Drouin, which is why this coaching staff doesn't look like an improvement over the past 3 regime's.

On a contender he is a reliable 3rd dman. Right now, only Guhle is better than him. So, He is on the wrong chair. Lane Hutson should take his place on the first PP wave. Even if Matheson has his flaw. Savard, Barron, xhekaj, struble arent better than him..

 

[OnTheRun]

Think Harpoon Bazoonga did a wonderful job on this article. Sums up what I've noticed in their own end. That switch from Man2Man to Zone D is killing them. Fwds are not getting the cues quickly enough.

Our players are thinking too much and not committing enough to kill the play, they're scared the guy who's supposed to cover for them wont do it.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5873732/2024/10/26/canadiens-defensive-system-problem/

I mean, isn't it the only legit debate here? (And I'm pretty sure they already answered "no" so it's not that much of a debate anymore.)

The choice they have are:
1) Dumb down the system to obfuscate the team immaturity, then build them back up when they are more experienced.
2) Keep going... The defensive miscues will sort themselves out over time as the team gain experience.

 

[RationalExpectations]

On a contender he is a reliable 3rd dman. Right now, only Guhle is better than him. So, He is on the wrong chair. Lane Hutson should take his place on the first PP wave. Even if Matheson has his flaw. Savard, Barron, xhekaj, struble arent better than him..

Barron is basically Matheson 8years younger playing on the right

 

[Skip Bayless]

I mean, isn't it the only legit debate here? (And I'm pretty sure they already answered "no" so it's not that much of a debate anymore.)

The choice they have are:
1) Dumb down the system to obfuscate the team immaturity, then build them back up when they are more experienced.
2) Keep going... The defensive miscues will sort themselves out over time as the team gain experience.

There is no debate of course, it will always be #2.

Rather go through the pain right now than in 2 years when the pressure will be greater.

The problem is, it's looking as if this is only year 1. Not normal.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I mean, isn't it the only legit debate here? (And I'm pretty sure they already answered "no" so it's not that much of a debate anymore.)

The choice they have are:
1) Dumb down the system to obfuscate the team immaturity, then build them back up when they are more experienced.
2) Keep going... The defensive miscues will sort themselves out over time as the team gain experience.

For me this system won t work even with seasoned vets. Dmen have too many responsabilities in terms of man to man so that you never have your two Dmen close to your goal to clear the crease and serve as last blockers.

From what we hear Laval is playing the same system and I believe it only works because a) the AHL is slower and b) there are some adjustments, in particular a forward always fills up the slot between both circles and one Dman always stay to clean the crease.

I think they should look at how CAR plays defense, people may call it dumber but it is effective.

 

[OnTheRun]

There is no debate of course, it will always be #2.

Rather go through the pain right now than in 2 years when the pressure will be greater.

The problem is, it's looking as if this is only year 1. Not normal.

For the last point I think it's actually 2 problems colliding in each other. On one side is the lack of proficiency at playing the system and on the other side it's too many players in key roles are currently in a slump or are flat out playing like dog shit.

It's kind of the base ingredients for a train wreck.

 

[teamfirst]

Coaching is a serious problem when you prefer your young players to stay in the minor to avoid the
'' very dysfunctional environment'' we have with the big club

 

[Habit11]

For me this system won t work even with seasoned vets. Dmen have too many responsabilities in terms of man to man so that you never have your two Dmen close to your goal to clear the crease and serve as last blockers.

From what we hear Laval is playing the same system and I believe it only works because a) the AHL is slower and b) there are some adjustments, in particular a forward always fills up the slot between both circles and one Dman always stay to clean the crease.

I think they should look at how CAR plays defense, people may call it dumber but it is effective.

They currently sit last or near last in many categories defensively 5on5. They've given up the most high danger area shots in the league, and you hit the nail on the head as to why this is happening.

 

[shenmue16]

All that huff and puff from MSL to get what we got last night. I guess that punitive practice did nothing to fix the issues. Last few minutes of the game last night with an open net were so embarrassing. Barely could even keep the puck out of their own zone. I think the longer that they put off getting rid of him, the longer it's going to take to fix this roster. I don't think MSL is capable of coaching a rebuild. At the same time, I don't think he can coach a team to a winning record. There are just so many little small mistakes being made that really should be coached out by now, and the more I watch interviews I get the feeling he's a really petty person with a small ego.

All you need to know is this: 17 goals against in the last 3 games for 3 losses in a row. 5 games with opposition scoring more than 5 goals in a game. Worst goal differential in the conference, second worst in the league. Only 1 team has fewer points.

 

[Habs]

No It's all good guys , everything is fine its all Jackeye and Pez's fault not coaching

 

[HabsAddict]

I'm getting this "i know it all" vibe from MSL and sticking "SmartyMarty" alias on him.

I know nothing but one thing, he's not doing a good job of coaching. I just hope it's not a multiyear suffer before he gets booted.

 

[Habs13]

At some point, team management needs to start looking into why ALL our players not named Caufield are struggling hard this season. Is it depression of Laine getting hurt? Bad coaching? Jock itch? What??

 

[HabsCode]

I'm getting this "i know it all" vibe from MSL and sticking "SmartyMarty" alias on him.

I know nothing but one thing, he's not doing a good job of coaching. I just hope it's not a multiyear suffer before he gets booted.

He does has that vibe. Likes he enjoy the sound of his voice a little bit too much.

He has some juvenile special kids vibe to him too. Like he can't hold his serious or his smile no matter what the topic his. A little tickle would probably have him burst in tears of laugh.

 

[Sorinth]

At some point, team management needs to start looking into why ALL our players not named Caufield are struggling hard this season. Is it depression of Laine getting hurt? Bad coaching? Jock itch? What??

My initial guess is that it's the growing pains of having to deal with increased expectations of management, coaching, the fans, and even themselves.

They want to play meaningful games and know that these games right here and now determines if they do and so are afraid to make mistakes which just leads to playing tentative hockey.

Coaching certainly has a part to play in helping deal with those nerves but it's just one of many factors at play.

 

[Tyson]

My initial guess is that it's the growing pains of having to deal with increased expectations of management, coaching, the fans, and even themselves.

They want to play meaningful games and know that these games right here and now determines if they do and so are afraid to make mistakes which just leads to playing tentative hockey.

Coaching certainly has a part to play in helping deal with those nerves but it's just one of many factors at play.

Losing has taken hold and is becoming acceptable.

 

[Monsieur Miz]

Remember when Petry went on a rant about how the team has no defensive structure whatsoever?

Canadiens: Jeff Petry Needs to Step up Amidst Comments on Team Struggles

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry needs to step up to the plate after his comments on the Canadiens struggles to start the 2021-22 season.

awinninghabit.com

I remember people giving him so much shit over his comments. Nothing has changed since then. Ducharme, St Louis, same story. Maybe MSL should've become Tortorella's assistant coach in Columbus.

 

[JadedRandom]

I'm getting this "i know it all" vibe from MSL and sticking "SmartyMarty" alias on him.

I know nothing but one thing, he's not doing a good job of coaching. I just hope it's not a multiyear suffer before he gets booted.

Pressure is mounting right now, no way that this current coaching debacle continues much longer.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

MSL has two more years at minimum. He is developing like the rest of the roster.

He's still dealing with the franken-roster of the Hugo regime and the holdovers from Bergevins bottom 6 spending spree.

MSL is not here in 2 more years at the way the team is playing on the ice at this moment. Impossible

 

[Theodore450]

The problem is that it's not just one player, but the entire lot who are making mistakes.

I'm wasting far too much time trying to understand why players are making mistakes. The more I look, the broader the defensive lapses spread. A certain player may make a mistake but then I find that other players are not in position to mitigate said mistake. Worse of all, we have average (or worse) goaltending that doesn't bail us out.

If we go back to the other times we had a sub par team, we had Jesus Price in nets saving us. Now we have Primeau and Monty playing for converted touchdowns.

Best way to describe this team is "systemic defensive failures".

Will SmartyMarty change that? I doubt it. It's not a player or 3, it's most of the guys who are just not working hard enough and smart enough to understand how to play as a cohesive, defensive team. Never mind a "hybrid" system...just because Smartymarty saw someone else do it.

Lastly, when SmartyMarty opens his mouth and said that other teams have this or that system, they don't have the youngest team in the NHL that is still in NHL diapers. Nor the very high quality forwards or defenseman helping out. Hello Monahan!

Whatever....it's so frustrating that on principle I don't even want to pay 5 bucks to RDS to watch this clown show.

Last night you just knew a Crosby + Malkin stack would feed on a man on man coverage. You’re asking everyone to switch around while Crosby has the puck. Disaster.

Any good team with quality players will chew apart this defence. The Panarin, Crosby, Kane, kuch, pasta, mcdavids these guys love the chance to play man on man in the offensive zone. Every team has quality puck moving Ds.

 

[Shred]

9 players from Hugo regime on the team now.....should take another 3 years

Matheson, Hutson, Barron
Heineman, Newhook, Dach, Slafkovsky

Who are the others? Are we counting Caufield and Guhle since they were extended by the current administration and clearly part of the core?

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

when people defend the system, they just say the players arent executing and other teams use the same system

When you see the players doing the same thing 100 times, like defenseman chasing to the blueline when you rarely see other teams do this, its what MSL and Robidas want. Its not execution. Lack of physicality is a concept as Struble and Jackeye both seemed told to dial it down or are now to worried or thinking too much

Outside of Hutson and Struble (who has had partial last yr, training camp and this yr) , these players are many yrs into this system. They all look horrid and unsure where to be. Its like they all collectively forgot how to play team defense.

it started in camp and hasnt improved yet