HF Habs: The Martin St Louis Thread

[Feanor]

Can you imagine that St. Louis is currently FOURTH longest tenured coach in the whole League.

With a minuscule chance to become third longest tenured by the start of the next season.*


* The three coaches who have been with their teams longer are:
Cooper (unlikely to leave this summer, rumors that Utah could be very interested if he does not extend beyond next season)
Bednar (could 1sr round exit spell changes in Colorado?)
Brind’Amour (if Carolina is lifeless in 2nd round, are they staring to question Rod?)

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Marty is great for the group as they currently are. They're young, need a personality like him. Unlike the leafs, where putting your young guys in an environment with a Babcock type is ridiculous. But one day, they will need one of those types. Maybe Marty hardens as he ages as a coach and becomes that. Who knows. But there will be a time in a the next few years after all the young players are established when that type of coach is necessary for the room

 

[EveryDay]

He's been named finalist for coach of the years! Congrats Marty!!!

https://www.tvasports.ca/2025/05/02/entraineur-de-lannee-martin-st-louis-en-nomination-pour-le-trophee-jack-adams

 

[Koivu11]

 

[Saint Patrick]

Honestly he deserves it, I'm not a fan of everything he does but what do I know. What he was able to do in the time he did, he deserves the recognition. Atta boy Marty

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Haters in shambles!

Fire Marty!

 

[ahmedou]

If the Habs are going the playoffs. MSL must be nominated for the Jack Adams. It's not a hot take.

Habs were at the playoffs. MSL is nominated for the Jack Adams. It wasn't a hot take.

 

[Kimota]

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.

He has a lot to learn and yea we didn't have the best roster but the fact is, his concept of the game of putting physically aside and his stubornness, I don't know if it's fixable. Even the least knowledgeable hockey person on the planet knew the Caps would be head hunting at the first game. But he waited the third game to insert Jack and it was too late. And last game there was ZERO pushback physically. Very disappointing.

 

[Bombshell11]

He has a lot to learn and yea we didn't have the best roster but the fact is, his concept of the game of putting physically aside and his stubornness, I don't know if it's fixable. Even the least knowledgeable hockey person on the planet knew the Caps would be head hunting at the first game. But he waited the third game to insert Jack and it was too late. And last game there was ZERO pushback physically. Very disappointing.

Yeah its a clear sign that he doesn't know how to manage a game. This is not something you can teach. Im not sure why he went into coaching, he seems more suited for a motivational speaker role.

The difference maker in the series is the lack of adjustements made in the first 2 games when it was still pretty tight. Laine should have been dewowrs a long time ago, he had no business to be there. An experienced coach would have seen it.

Demi on the first PP and Cole on Laine's spot were 2 very easy moves that were obvious.

Next year we'll have the same problem. Next year we might play vs Florida, they will come up with a different strategy and MSL due his lack of experience will be caught off guard, the stress and pressure will have him panic and he'll stay still until its too late again.

There's so much the guys can do. With a young group, you gotta be able to help them with the moves you make.

 

[Walksss]

He has a lot to learn and yea we didn't have the best roster but the fact is, his concept of the game of putting physically aside and his stubornness, I don't know if it's fixable. Even the least knowledgeable hockey person on the planet knew the Caps would be head hunting at the first game. But he waited the third game to insert Jack and it was too late. And last game there was ZERO pushback physically. Very disappointing.

So you're both criticizing Marty for not putting in Xhekaj to prevent headhunting and provide push back in games 1 and 2 but also criticizing him for Xhekaj not providing push back? What did Xhekaj do to prevent the series defining hit on Carrier? What pushback did he provide afterwards?

Our bottom 6 is not tough enough for a long playoff run, it's something I hope they address this offseason. You don't need a goon running around in the playoffs, nobody fights at all. We need grit in the bottom 6 more than just Anderson, Dvorak and Armia should give up their spots to hopefully two much more tough to play against players. That's not on Marty, obviously. Team toughness is much more important than one guy trying to do too much and taking needless penalties. Let's get that this offseason.

Yeah its a clear sign that he doesn't know how to manage a game. This is not something you can teach. Im not sure why he went into coaching, he seems more suited for a motivational speaker role.

The difference maker in the series is the lack of adjustements made in the first 2 games when it was still pretty tight. Laine should have been dewowrs a long time ago, he had no business to be there. An experienced coach would have seen it.

Demi on the first PP and Cole on Laine's spot were 2 very easy moves that were obvious.

Next year we'll have the same problem. Next year we might play vs Florida, they will come up with a different strategy and MSL due his lack of experience will be caught off guard, the stress and pressure will have him panic and he'll stay still until its too late again.

There's so much the guys can do. With a young group, you gotta be able to help them with the moves you make.

What a wall of bullshit, not worth responding to. No matter how many times you repeat your insane viewpoints it will not make it true. Hopefully one day you will realize that. Mesar will not become generational and not one NHL coach was going to take a 19 year old out of the KHL and put him on PP1 in game 1 of the NHL playoffs in his 3rd game. What is wrong with you? Lol.

 

[Kimota]

So you're both criticizing Marty for not putting in Xhekaj to prevent headhunting and provide push back in games 1 and 2 but also criticizing him for Xhekaj not providing push back? What did Xhekaj do to prevent the series defining hit on Carrier? What pushback did he provide afterwards?

Our bottom 6 is not tough enough for a long playoff run, it's something I hope they address this offseason. You don't need a goon running around in the playoffs, nobody fights at all. We need grit in the bottom 6 more than just Anderson, Dvorak and Armia should give up their spots to hopefully two much more tough to play against players. That's not on Marty, obviously. Team toughness is much more important than one guy trying to do too much and taking needless penalties. Let's get that this offseason.


What a wall of bullshit, not worth responding to. No matter how many times you repeat your insane viewpoints it will not make it true. Hopefully one day you will realize that. Mesar will not become generational and not one NHL coach was going to take a 19 year old out of the KHL and put him on PP1 in game 1 of the NHL playoffs in his 3rd game. What is wrong with you? Lol.

On the first paragraph, I feel like for the third game what Jack provided was give the team courage. But ultimately I think Jack is too neutered to do anything substantial. I also wish also he had a mentor to help him provok things(I think Chiarot would be my pick). Like I understand that Wilson would not fight him but you make things happen. Back when we were feuding with the Bruins, Chara and Lucic did not wait for an invention to go after guys. Remember when Chara pounded Emelin? Someone should have gone after Wilson after what he did to Carrier.

 

[Bombshell11]

So you're both criticizing Marty for not putting in Xhekaj to prevent headhunting and provide push back in games 1 and 2 but also criticizing him for Xhekaj not providing push back? What did Xhekaj do to prevent the series defining hit on Carrier? What pushback did he provide afterwards?

Our bottom 6 is not tough enough for a long playoff run, it's something I hope they address this offseason. You don't need a goon running around in the playoffs, nobody fights at all. We need grit in the bottom 6 more than just Anderson, Dvorak and Armia should give up their spots to hopefully two much more tough to play against players. That's not on Marty, obviously. Team toughness is much more important than one guy trying to do too much and taking needless penalties. Let's get that this offseason.


What a wall of bullshit, not worth responding to. No matter how many times you repeat your insane viewpoints it will not make it true. Hopefully one day you will realize that. Mesar will not become generational and not one NHL coach was going to take a 19 year old out of the KHL and put him on PP1 in game 1 of the NHL playoffs in his 3rd game. What is wrong with you? Lol.

Ok buddy nice coping attempt, not on his third game but but 5th?? Of course every coach would have done that. This is what they call the 5 game rule im assuming?

 

[Walksss]

Ok buddy nice coping attempt, not on his third game but but 5th?? Of course every coach would have done that. This is what they call the 5 game rule im assuming?

Laine broke his finger, missed the game, and Demidov slid up to PP1. Do you ignore all context so that you can stick to your trash narratives?

 

[Bombshell11]

Laine broke his finger, missed the game, and Demidov slid up to PP1. Do you ignore all context so that you can stick to your trash narratives?

Laine no Laine... the fact is that Marty's PP was stinking and it was Laine's fault and when he made the change of moving Cole to his old position and Demi to Cole's position the PP started to work again.

Which part of "Demidov should have been on the PP from the get go because he's the best forward" you don't understand? Laine was bad 2 weeks ago and he was bad in game 2 before his alleged injury.

These things were obvious moves, he made them too late

 

[ahmedou]

Arber Xhekaj on Martin Saint-Louis: “Sometimes it’s to not cross the line and he kinda keeps me behind the line a little bit. But we've a great relationship and he helps me every day pretty much.”

 

[ahmedou]

 

[ahmedou]

MSL was wildou as a player

 

[ahmedou]

Ryan St Louis has been invited to the Washington Capitals development camp. On July 2025. The son of Martin St Louis. Player of Brown University. At the ECAC. 29 points (11 goals + 18 assists) in 23 games this season.

 

[Paradoxe]

MSL was wildou as a player

View attachment 1034880

And he's still wild!

 

[HabsAddict]

I was born in Sparta Greece and i know a thing or 50 about Spartan culture and history...

One of the Spartan fear was that if they fight their enemies too often they will learn from them and one day defeat them with their own tactics.

That became true when the Thebans studied Spartan tactics and devised a strategy against it. That was the end of Spartan military dominence...forever.

SMarty needs to be like the Theban generals were he comes up ith a strategy that has no limits, or arrogance, or pre-conceived on how the game "should be played". He has all the tools in the world to study how other teams are winning and counter it...and surpass it..

His fan club thinks that he will "grow" into that mind set, but by definition, minds tend to be set. It's not as easy to switch tactics wholesale and more often then not, coaches like grnerals and like all humans tend to drift to what is familiar and a " safer" route.

Right now Maurice is the "Spartan" general of the NHL. His team tactics and strategy are there for the enrire NHL to see and mimic...or counter.

Let's see what happens the next 2 years...

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I was born in Sparta Greece and i know a thing or 50 about Spartan culture and history...

One of the Spartan fear was that if they fight their enemies too often they will learn from them and one day defeat them with their own tactics.

That became true when the Thebans studied Spartan tactics and devised a strategy against it. That was the end of Spartan military dominence...forever.

SMarty needs to be like the Theban generals were he comes up ith a strategy that has no limits, or arrogance, or pre-conceived on how the game "should be played". He has all the tools in the world to study how other teams are winning and counter it...and surpass it..

His fan club thinks that he will "grow" into that mind set, but by definition, minds tend to be set. It's not as easy to switch tactics wholesale and more often then not, coaches like grnerals and like all humans tend to drift to what is familiar and a " safer" route.

Right now Maurice is the "Spartan" general of the NHL. His team tactics and strategy are there for the enrire NHL to see and mimic...or counter.

Let's see what happens the next 2 years...

Strategies and tactics are not carefully guarded secrets and all NHL teams play very similar and sometimes exact replicas closely related systems. The key with coaching is getting buy-in and building culture through accountability and leadership.

Marty, along with HuGo have done an incredible job in this regard and at this point in time are beyond any attempted criticism's from the laymen fans and media.

 

[JianYang]

I was born in Sparta Greece and i know a thing or 50 about Spartan culture and history...

One of the Spartan fear was that if they fight their enemies too often they will learn from them and one day defeat them with their own tactics.

That became true when the Thebans studied Spartan tactics and devised a strategy against it. That was the end of Spartan military dominence...forever.

SMarty needs to be like the Theban generals were he comes up ith a strategy that has no limits, or arrogance, or pre-conceived on how the game "should be played". He has all the tools in the world to study how other teams are winning and counter it...and surpass it..

His fan club thinks that he will "grow" into that mind set, but by definition, minds tend to be set. It's not as easy to switch tactics wholesale and more often then not, coaches like grnerals and like all humans tend to drift to what is familiar and a " safer" route.

Right now Maurice is the "Spartan" general of the NHL. His team tactics and strategy are there for the enrire NHL to see and mimic...or counter.

Let's see what happens the next 2 years...

Maurice hasn't changed. He didn't just turn into something else after joining florida almost 30 years into his nhl coaching career.

It's a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Do you remember the motto that the jets had plastered in their dressing room during their playoff against the habs? It was something like: hunt and kill. It's the same guy, and the Panthers embody his message.

 

[HabsAddict]

Maurice hasn't changed. He didn't just turn into something else after joining florida almost 30 years into his nhl coaching career.

It's a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Do you remember the motto that the jets had plastered in their dressing room during their playoff against the habs? It was something like: hunt and kill. It's the same guy, and the Panthers embody his message.

Maurice doesn't need to change, its SMarty that has to.

We can even use our 2021 run where in the post game interviews after every game the team looked like it came out of a bar fight with Hells Angels. We didn't have enough talent to finish the job but otherwise...we were in a war all the way to the cup final.

 

[JianYang]

Maurice doesn't need to change, its SMarty that has to.

We can even use our 2021 run where in the post game interviews after every game the team looked like it came out of a bar fight with Hells Angels. We didn't have enough talent to finish the job but otherwise...we were in a war all the way to the cup final.

I think Marty has done a good job during his habs tenure. He will evolve as a head coach and he's even said from day 1 that he will need to grow as the players grow, which shows that he is malleable.

There is a bigger problem with the coaching industry in general, though. Believe it or not, msl is the 4th longest tenured coach in the nhl right now. Lifespans for coaches are short in this league (at least when it comes to staying with one team).

The challenge now for msl becomes how to avoid this reality? How will he keep his message fresh with the group?

It won't be getting any easier for him, that's for sure.

 

[HabsAddict]

I think Marty has done a good job during his habs tenure. He will evolve as a head coach and he's even said from day 1 that he will need to grow as the players grow, which shows that he is malleable.

There is a bigger problem with the coaching industry in general, though. Believe it or not, msl is the 4th longest tenured coach in the nhl right now. Lifespans for coaches are short in this league (at least when it comes to staying with one team).

The challenge now for msl becomes how to avoid this reality? How will he keep his message fresh with the group?

It won't be getting any easier for him, that's for sure.

SMarty can take on the challange of integrating an energy line of Beck-Davidson-LX and igniting the rest the team with a bit of a different approach.

Hopefully with a new quality 2C, Dach and Demidov, the team will have more scoring talent and more raculance at the same time..

Only 4 months to go...