HF Habs: The Martin St Louis Thread

[HabzSauce]

This has been repeated ad nauseum since his interim days. You've flipped the narrative, but the question should be reversed towards people like you. Why do you presume that he'll be only good at development? It's the same old sauce. It's an assumption with zero basis. Something that is promulgated as a foregone conclusion, yet the team has a system and he adapts in-game or else we wouldn't be one of the better 3rd period teams in the 2nd half.

Also, better to have a hell of a motivator than an incredible strategist in hockey. X's and O's doesn't make players hustle and be first on the puck. That's motivation.

Really depends. For a developing team, I would probably rather the motivator. But at some point you need the incredible strategist. Motivation alone can only take you so far. In the playoffs where margin for error is so small & games are so tight, we're gonna need those X's and O's & attention to detail in all aspects to give us best chance at winning. Like Knoblouch last year for example. That dude looks lifeless but he ran a beautiful system last playoffs with the Oilers. They were phenomenal defensively because of his structure & looked really solid overall against elite teams in VAN, DAL & FLA. Motivation was still there because they had a system that worked & were winning games. Didn't need to be a motivational speaker to fire them up.

When it comes to Marty, I never said it was a forgone conclusion he couldn't get the job done with a contender. I'd just rather someone that's more battle tested & proven vs a coach that went straight from pewee to the NHL. Marty is still developing. A guy like Montgomery would have been perfect.

 

[HabzSauce]

P

I’m asking you for the basis of your skepticism. What is the basis for thinking he won’t be able to handle a talented lineup?

Inexperience

 

[Bombshell11]

Inexperience

Who ever is debating against this does not understand hockey

 

[salbutera]

Really depends. For a developing team, I would probably rather the motivator. But at some point you need the incredible strategist. Motivation alone can only take you so far. In the playoffs where margin for error is so small & games are so tight, we're gonna need those X's and O's & attention to detail in all aspects to give us best chance at winning. Like Knoblouch last year for example. That dude looks lifeless but he ran a beautiful system last playoffs with the Oilers. They were phenomenal defensively because of his structure & looked really solid overall against elite teams in VAN, DAL & FLA. Motivation was still there because they had a system that worked & were winning games. Didn't need to be a motivational speaker to fire them up.

When it comes to Marty, I never said it was a forgone conclusion he couldn't get the job done with a contender. I'd just rather someone that's more battle tested & proven vs a coach that went straight from pewee to the NHL. Marty is still developing. A guy like Montgomery would have been perfect.

Many of you miss HuGos entire hockey philosophy, they don’t want a team that packs the neutral zone z& shuts it down - that what Montgomery likes to implement.

Gorton made it very clear what type of hockey team he wants in his intro presser…

 

[HabzSauce]

Many of you miss HuGos entire hockey philosophy, they don’t want a team that packs the neutral zone z& shuts it down - that what Montgomery likes to implement.

Gorton made it very clear what type of hockey team he wants in his intro presser…

I'm sure Gorton is open minded on this front & willing to try new systems if Marty hits a wall later on. Just like every other GM that goes through a coaching change.......

Oilers thought woodcroft with his run & gun offence was way to go. Didn't work out, so they moved to more defensively sound coach in Knob & they've improved overall as a result

 

[morhilane]

I'm sure Gorton is open minded on this front & willing to try new systems if Marty hits a wall later on. Just like every other GM that goes through a coaching change.......

Oilers thought woodcroft with his run & gun offence was way to go. Didn't work out, so they moved to more defensively sound coach in Knob & they've improved overall as a result

Defense has always been what won games.

And Habs defensive "scheme" has been an issue all season long.

 

[salbutera]

Defense has always been what won games.

And Habs defensive "scheme" has been an issue all season long.

FWIW, Nilan was talking last week, about how he was convinced Habs need to change their entire mindset to a zone defense structured system - he spoke to some hockey people he really trusts and they all said the Habs are ahead of the pack, w red line out & no clutching / grabbing, man to man is the best system to implement by a wide margin but takes players to be in top physical shape & strong hockey IQ to execute to perfection which is why almost no teams use it as their only go to systems

Nilan went on to say, they all felt Habs young players are 1-2 years away from perfecting it

 

[ahmedou]

REMINDER 101:

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Defense has always been what won games.

And Habs defensive "scheme" has been an issue all season long.

The habs are 14th in GA/game since they turned around their season in mid-December.
They are 8th in GA/game since the 4-Nations faceoff.

 

[bcv]

nvm, not worth it.

 

[morhilane]

FWIW, Nilan was talking last week, about how he was convinced Habs need to change their entire mindset to a zone defense structured system - he spoke to some hockey people he really trusts and they all said the Habs are ahead of the pack, w red line out & no clutching / grabbing, man to man is the best system to implement by a wide margin but takes players to be in top physical shape & strong hockey IQ to execute to perfection which is why almost no teams use it as their only go to systems

Nilan went on to say, they all felt Habs young players are 1-2 years away from perfecting it

The bolded is an issue, you will never have all players in top physical shape, especially not in the playoffs.
IQ will also be an issue, since fatigue and stress impact decision making, not just physical performance.
It also discombobulate with a single player missing his assignment.

It's "high risk, high reward", but require to have specific cards in hand.

 

[teamfirst]

The bolded is an issue, you will never have all players in top physical shape, especially not in the playoffs.
IQ will also be an issue, since fatigue and stress impact decision making, not just physical performance.
It also discombobulate with a single player missing his assignment.

It's "high risk, high reward", but require to have specific cards in hand.

But, i'm sure it would make a fantastic NHL playstation system tho.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Thank you Marty for the fantastic season and continuing growth of this young exciting team! Couldn't have done it without you! Very much looking forward to what you have in store for us in the future. Best coach we've had in decades, you've been a huge part of everything we're trying to build.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Inexperience

In your post though you said you’re talking about years into the future… wouldn’t that mean he’d have years more experience?

 

[HabzSauce]

In your post though you said you’re talking about years into the future… wouldn’t that mean he’d have years more experience?

"Year(s)" could be as soon as next season.

Habs are right around the corner & MSL only has a few months playing winning hockey under his belt.

 

[ahmedou]

MSL: ''It’s a privilege for me to coach the Montreal Canadiens.”

 

[The Real Timo]

MSL: ''It’s a privilege for me to coach the Montreal Canadiens.”

Lol... what else is he going to say? "Weeeell... the Habs were the only team that came calling so I guess I took it... needed an upgrade on my CV from the pee-wee league"...

probably every single coach and GM on every single team says that. I would rather he said "here are the mistakes I made and I will correct them next season".

 

[Victoire HuGo]

Lol... what else is he going to say? "Weeeell... the Habs were the only team that came calling so I guess I took it... needed an upgrade on my CV from the pee-wee league"...

probably every single coach and GM on every single team says that. I would rather he said "here are the mistakes I made and I will correct them next season".

Lol

If MSL was available today you can bet your ass many teams would come calling. It was a good gamble by management.

 

[hvac412]

Interesting discussion lately that I have heard. I think it was between Pierre McGuire and Tony but I'm not sure because I am watching like ten podcast lately. They were saying that the Habs are not able to be physiccal as they can because MSL is too restrictive. So like for instance Xhekaj did well last game in hitting within the confine of "separating player from puck" but he doesn't make doesn't thunderous impactful hits because he is scared to being caught and being punished. And this goes for Ghule and the rest of the roster. Whereas at this point in time Jack should be a real menace and scared the living Hell out of evetybody, The Caps players and coach know that he is restrained and so it's still open seaon on our guys cause of it. Like for instance, after the Carrier hit by Wilson, when the Habs knew the game was out of reach, why didn't Jack take the number and pound the living Hell out of him. And not just Jack. Guys should have gone after him left and right.

MSL is a a relatively young coach and maybe he'll realise this and learn from it maybe even not right away, Or maybe not at all. But it has to change.

good luck,he's a Hughes pet project,as long as Smarty Bonaparte is coaching this team EVERYTHING is a learning experiance and a disservice to fans.Thanks KH/JG for indefinitely prolonging the rebuild ,I’m not at all surprised that they caved after their 6-3 win ,it's just what they are.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

Couldn't have asked for a better season, did he make mistakes, absolutely, he will be the 1st to admit it. He was learning as well, we need to remember that.. Keep up the good work MSL!!

 

[bcv]

I've had my issues with MSL this year, but overall there's no denying he's succeeded at what he had to do since he got hired.

MSL is a smart dude, I'm sure the difficulties he faced this were learning moments for him.

 

[Andy]

I don't remember where I read it or heard it, but I recall someone saying that being a head coach in today's nhl isn't about Xs and Os. That's the assistants' duties.

A head coach nowadays is a personnel and behavior manager. They act as motivators and teachers. The hardcore strategy guys like Tortz is very old school and players don't respond well to it.

 

[Kimota]

Thank you Marty for the fantastic season and continuing growth of this young exciting team! Couldn't have done it without you! Very much looking forward to what you have in store for us in the future. Best coach we've had in decades, you've been a huge part of everything we're trying to build.

View attachment 1027094

A shame he won't be there to see it! (2)

 

[Sorinth]

I don't remember where I read it or heard it, but I recall someone saying that being a head coach in today's nhl isn't about Xs and Os. That's the assistants' duties.

A head coach nowadays is a personnel and behavior manager. They act as motivators and teachers. The hardcore strategy guys like Tortz is very old school and players don't respond well to it.

It's not so much that players don't respond to the Xs and Os type teachers it's more that the Xs and Os are pretty much the same across the NHL. Teams play very similar systems that have relatively small variations like when to exert pressure and when not too. So if all you have is Xs and Os you don't really have anything.

 

[Walksss]

There isn't a coach in the NHL that could have brought the results in combination with the development and growth in confidence we've seen.

Taking a bottom 8 roster and bringing it to where it stands now is pretty impressive regardless of what some internet experts say.

There's no doubt he's still developing as a coach, he's the first to admit that but the overall package we have as a teacher, mentor, developer of the youth is unparalleled as far as I'm concerned. Obviously that's the most important part this far in the rebuild. Next we'll have to see how his in-game management develops now that expectations will naturally be higher.