Thoughts On New Coaches?

[NickyFotiu]

I hope the team continues to buy in. Not saying Im looking for cup tickets yet but Im not not saying it either lol

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[Row I Goon]

Sample size of 1 game (not counting pre-season) and it looks like we have structure, speed and a system.

 

[will1066]

I think Lavi's the early favorite for Jack Adams. Gallant won last year's Sam Adams award for Drunk Coach of the Year.

 

[NickyFotiu]

What changes did you guys see that you liked? I noticed the minutes played was pretty equal.

 

[mrmovies779]

Miniscule sample size but...a solid system/structure can make a world of difference

 

[Megustaelhockey]

A 1-5 preseason and one win against an undisciplined team are not yet enough to convince me.

 

[Whoot Whoot]

I was kinda feelin it when we played that 1-3-1 in the 2nd period

 

[SnowblindNYR]

A 1-5 preseason and one win against an undisciplined team are not yet enough to convince me.

It's way too early but it's comical that you bring up the preseason like it means anything just to discredit the team.

 

[will1066]

What changes did you guys see that you liked? I noticed the minutes played was pretty equal.

As far as the breakout is concerned, we're not relying on the long stretch pass and not doing that stupid pass-tip-in to gain the zone. It's 2 short quick passes to get out of our own end and through the neutral zone with speed. It's actually a little reminiscent of Quinn's first year breakouts

 

[Bondra slapshot]

more shot blocking
more urgency to transition from defense to offense (2 goals for)

 

[nyr2k2]

I particularly liked that they were different coaches than the coaches from last year that I didn't like.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

It's way too early but it's comical that you bring up the preseason like it means anything just to discredit the team.

It's amazing to me that some posters actually think pre season play and results mean anything when half the team was guys who aren't here right now.

 

[TJHKY]

Great coach

 

[pld459666]

1 game in, I like the system they have implemented

 

[IronBloodedLion]

Ask this again in 20 games, but it was nice to see an actual structure and purpose to what they were doing.

 

[CasusBelli]

Love the structure and commitment on both sides of the ice. Also, Igor looked confident again, and I wasn’t wondering if he’d flub even a simple scoring chance — though I don’t know if this is due to increased confidence in his defenders or the defensive awareness of his forwards.

I was kinda feelin it when we played that 1-3-1 in the 2nd period

That was gorgeous. Perfect positioning. Buffalo couldn’t find a way through. Just total shutdown.

 

[nyr2k2]

I like the group we have. I feel confident in them.

Hopefully, people won't freak out after our first clunker or losing streak. I know they will, but still. A man can dream.

 

[McRanger92]

MSG showed a clip of Peca and Panarin talking on the bench after a good shift by that line. Did Gallant and his assistants even know every players name last year?

 

[will1066]

Ask this again in 20 games, but it was nice to see an actual structure and purpose to what they were doing.

The word that I picked up on in Lavi's post game was "teach". There are still things to teach, he said. It wasn't "oh, we played our system great tonight." So I'm encouraged. I don't think Gallant uttered the word teach the entire time he was here. Anytime someone else said it, he sniffed very loudly to drown out the person.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

The D really pushes up into the play. Noticed it with the Left side D specifically. Key & Gust. They have the skating ability to get back. Especially Key the guy is huge and a slick skater so they know he can cover ice and they are telling him to go. Hes going to excel in this system. Lindgren at times but its a little safer given Fox's ability on the right. On the first goal we saw Fox step up near the opposing blue line to break up that play and turn it back up.

The D also transitioned the puck quickly. There wasnt a lot of deliberating and passing to their partner in zone unless they needed to escape an attacker or they had time to reset a breakout on a change. You get it, you move it. Thats important part of this system for the neutral zone and getting through it. This was something the Rangers had no plan for in Gallants system and it lead to a lot of giveaways.

The forwards also looked very comfortable in their roles in all zones, positionally. They weren't running around chasing pucks in the D zone. Everything came to them. That was another big problem last year. They also had no structure or purpose on the back check and setting up on opposing breakouts which leads to the D backing into too much and yielding zone entries too easily.

What we saw was a reset with purpose and that allows the Defense to step up and hold the line easier because they have support in the right places. The 1-3-1 helps cut the rink in half to one side (ideally the left in this system) and its easier to clog up the puck carrier and passing lanes. You need all of the players to work together and be focused for this to work because its all about each player being in the right spot on the ice.

Of course this is game 1 and the execution could fall off at times during the year, but Lav and this staff may be the right group at the right time for this club. The team can also fall back on this game as the template. If you've done it before, and for 60 min - you know you can do it again.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I couldnt help but think about the young kids specifically and what Quinn was killing them over when they were really young. Its not exactly this system but its about being aware of not losing your position on the ice in all zones.

I think all 3 of them have grown a ton in this regard (especially Kakko) and maybe what we've complained with their usage early on will actually pay some dividends in this system.

They may not be the offensive dynamos we had hoped for, but Kakko and Lafs games lend well to structured systems like this. Ill trade the crazy goals and excitement/domination factor for wins and success in the postseason, if that becomes the case.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I've also been saying for a while - if you could put the focus and attention on D and making Igors job easier with less high dangers and odd man rushes - you are playing to your strengths and youll get a lot of wins when hes between the pipes.

We've seen this team score goals as a result of making D the focus. Thats how it has to work. A lot of heady players on this team that need the structure and something specific to execute.

Not to mention with Igor - if hes handling the puck more - thats a great thing. Shades of Marty in the trap system. The puck wont be in his zone as much.

Less possession/high danger chances against + Vezina goalie = Wins

 

[Ruggs225]

I particularly liked that they were different coaches than the coaches from last year that I didn't like.

Haha! This is gold. And basically sums up my feelings.

I hated gallant with the fire of 1,000 suns.

 

[Cmox]

First time not being shutout and actually winning against a up and coming back up.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

No team in the NHL should ever hire a coach whose strength is cheerleading and weakness is hockey.

Edit: In case it's not obvious this is about Gallant.