The Martin St Louis Thread

[Lafleurs Guy]

Personnel can be a huge part of that. Both coaching and player wise.

Sure. The team didn’t change at all there so we know that’s not the case. And we know that team was capable of much better play - the system didn’t work there.

Blame the coach? Maybe. But even here MSL has shown that he can get more out of his players. I think before any coaching changes they should try a new system. If that doesn’t work then we need a new coach.

 

[Naslundforever]

Systems don’t make players project their passes or decide to play a puck carrier board side and leave him the slot. These guys aren’t good.

Maybe a “grind’em hard, ride the goalie” approach might work better for a team like this, but christ the show is already so boring.

 

[Rapala]

I don’t disagree at all, they’re doing a terrible job of it and look like garbage. I think we’d see better immediate results for most players if the team went back to man on man or made a bigger change to zone (which would likely come with its own learning curve). There would still be gaps given how weak our defence and centers are, but zone might calm things down over time. That being said, I don’t think that’s the goal right now. If the team can implement a hybrid system by the end of the year, that’s a pretty huge development milestone for a young core. I’ve seen marginal improvements over the last couple games, it might improve quickly once key players become more comfortable.

There is no learning curve reverting back to what you played for most of your life that isn't a valid point IMO.

 

[BLONG7]

When you are 32nd in the league in most Defensive and goaltending categories, shouldn't the coaches devise a new system of how we play in our own end?

 

[Egresch]

Systems don’t make players project their passes or decide to play a puck carrier board side and leave him the slot. These guys aren’t good.

Coronato tying goal was bad decisions from Evans and Suzuki, two defensively smartest players we have. Both are way above league average and have over 660 games of experience.

 

[Draft]

There is no learning curve reverting back to what you played for most of your life that isn't a valid point IMO.

Playing zone with new teammates, a coach you haven’t played it with, and (for some) for the first time in the NHL would take some time to get polished. Especially when it’s an in-season adjustment. You’d potentially be adjusting several different d-zone coverage scenarios at the same time. I don’t think it would be half as steep as what they’re dealing with now, but I’m skeptical it would be seamless or an instant fix.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Why is Lane Hutson playing on our pk , guy got absolutely walked by Nylander , not sure why he's in that situation , I know all the other D suck too but its dumb

 

[Rapala]

Playing zone with new teammates, a coach you haven’t played it with, and (for some) for the first time in the NHL would take some time to get polished. Especially when it’s an in-season adjustment. You’d potentially be adjusting several different d-zone coverage scenarios at the same time. I don’t think it would be half as steep as what they’re dealing with now, but I’m skeptical it would be seamless or an instant fix.

It's the familiarity that would allow for a quicker read and react.
Our 5 man read and react is what is killing us.
We definitely won't see eye to eye on the dangers vs the benefits of playing a complicated concept.

 

[ReHabs]

When you are 32nd in the league in most Defensive and goaltending categories, shouldn't the coaches devise a new system of how we play in our own end?

You’d think so…

But it seems they see things differently

 

[morhilane]

Why is Lane Hutson playing on our pk , guy got absolutely walked by Nylander , not sure why he's in that situation , I know all the other D suck too but its dumb

Matheson/Savard play the most, then Guhle. Hutson/Xhekaj/Barron play about the same. Struble is getting almost nothing now (basically Hutson swapped with Struble).

 

[Tyson]

You’d think so…

But it seems they see things differently

It will eventually cost them their jobs as this can't continue

 

[Team_Spirit]

When you are 32nd in the league in most Defensive and goaltending categories, shouldn't the coaches devise a new system of how we play in our own end?

Why is Lane Hutson playing on our pk , guy got absolutely walked by Nylander , not sure why he's in that situation , I know all the other D suck too but its dumb

*media access suspended*

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

MSL is gaslighting us with Lane on the PK but not on PP1 , actually insane

*media access suspended*

View attachment 929148

 

[ReHabs]

It will eventually cost them their jobs as this can't continue

I’m convinced the blame falls on MSL’s feet. In any other circumstance a serious team would fire the coach and move on.

Now, will Hughes be gunshy to hurt MSL’s feelings? Bob Gainey fired Guy Carbonneau. Is Hughes’ relationship to MSL more special than that?

MSL should have some sort of idea how to deal with this. It can’t go on.

 

[Tyson]

I’m convinced the blame falls on MSL’s feet. In any other circumstance a serious team would fire the coach and move on.

Now, will Hughes be gunshy to hurt MSL’s feelings?

MSL should have some sort of idea how to deal with this. It can’t go on.

They say young players don't succeed if they skip steps in their development...what about coaches?

 

[Egresch]

Why is Lane Hutson playing on our pk , guy got absolutely walked by Nylander , not sure why he's in that situation , I know all the other D suck too but its dumb

So many stupid decisions by MSL and coaching team. If you want young players to thrive, you need to put them to spot to suceed. Guhle on the right side while vet Matheson enjoys his playing time on his left side, Hutson on PK, Dach with his present form in top 6, Barron paired with Matheson. We finally had 1st line, but they split Slaf for most of the games this year. Team lacks grit, but Pezz stays in the press box all time. Those are just plain stupid decisions diring 15 games that accelerated the downfall.

 

[SwiftyHab]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856019466523418929

 

[MarkovsKnee]

When you are 32nd in the league in most Defensive and goaltending categories, shouldn't the coaches devise a new system of how we play in our own end?

Interestingly our goals saved above expected is basically even for both goalies. That means they're making the saves they're generally expected to make. They're no longer saving the Ds asses, which is what they were both doing last year.

Now that doesn't mean they don't let in bad goals. A bad goal would gain a negative, but a big save would gain them a positive, so it all ends up evening out.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856019466523418929

Gallant:

 

[RationalExpectations]

Interestingly our goals saved above expected is basically even for both goalies. That means they're making the saves they're generally expected to make. They're no longer saving the Ds asses, which is what they were both doing last year.

Now that doesn't mean they don't let in bad goals. A bad goal would gain a negative, but a big save would gain them a positive, so it all ends up evening out.

To me the fact that some people focus so much on goaltending show they are not seeing the Habs as they really are, like MSL when he basically says it s about the small things and fine tuning…

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Playing zone with new teammates, a coach you haven’t played it with, and (for some) for the first time in the NHL would take some time to get polished. Especially when it’s an in-season adjustment. You’d potentially be adjusting several different d-zone coverage scenarios at the same time. I don’t think it would be half as steep as what they’re dealing with now, but I’m skeptical it would be seamless or an instant fix.

Most of these guys have played multiple systems over the years with different coaches at various levels. It really shouldn't be that hard. Oilers did it last season.

The perfect time to implement it though is the week of November 17-23. Team is at home that week. They get a day off on the 17th, play Edmonton on the 18th then have 4 practice days from 19th-22nd. Then play Vegas on the 23rd.

They need to re-invent themselves over those 4 days. You can definitely use that time to introduce a new coach, too - whether an assistant or head coach.

 

[morhilane]

Interestingly our goals saved above expected is basically even for both goalies. That means they're making the saves they're generally expected to make. They're no longer saving the Ds asses, which is what they were both doing last year.

Now that doesn't mean they don't let in bad goals. A bad goal would gain a negative, but a big save would gain them a positive, so it all ends up evening out.

Primeau and Monty were at 3.3-3.6 goals saved above expected over the entire season last year (over 23 and 41 games). Not really saving the Ds asses statistics.

 

[Mrb1p]

People need to stop blaming man-to-man.

A lot of NHL teams play man to man, notably Dallas and the Avs. I don't mind it, we just need better personel playing and coach wise.

 

[1909]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856019466523418929

Were the the Hossa's gloves around ?

 

[Rapala]

People need to stop blaming man-to-man.

A lot of NHL teams play man to man, notably Dallas and the Avs. I don't mind it, we just need better personel playing and coach wise.

Personally I don't give a flying F what good teams are doing it has no bearing on what we are not able to do.
All I keep hearing out of people is what SC teams and contenders are doing.