Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
Neither. It has to do with playing a system that doesn't ask him to skate, make high skill plays, and push the tempo.
This is going to come across as a bit controversial but I would be more interested in Bennett replacing Monahan on line one than Ferland. Monahan and Gaudreau don't have that on-the-rush chemistry they used to because we don't play a high-risk rush style anymore. Bennett in this responsible style of game we do play is better suited to pushing the tempo and keeping Gaudreau involved. Ferland was not the problem on line one last night.
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I agree with this. Gulutzan prefers the low risk 'get pucks deep' north south game. This system goes D to D and then fires it up the ice, then it gets chipped in. People got agitated with Hartley's stretch pass to chip but there isn't much difference.
When Brodie (and the forwards for that matter) were generating chances, he would skate the puck up and be that 4th attacker. This resulted in easy zone entries and setting up zone time. Brodie, or any D aren't carrying the puck leading the attack. Ever. It's neutered the abilities of the key guys on this team.
I'm not advocating a return to Hartley's defensive zone coverage but right now GG has the team not believing in it's ability to make plays, so they get pucks deep (and don't recover it). They need to preach making plays not getting pucks deep constantly. I'm not saying there aren't time when you have to dump it in but when the messaging is constantly dump it, players lose confidence to make plays.
Kopitar said this recently with regards to how they play after Sutter. He said they need to believe in their ability to hold onto the puck and make plays.
I recall a game in Chicago during Gaudreau's rookie year. All game long he was carrying the puck in, getting a feel for the puck, creating chances but late in the game he fell and Chicago went the other way to score the winner. After the game Burke told Johnny not to worry and keep holding onto the puck. Gaudreau is an off the rush playmaker.
Yes there might be the odd time when there is a turnover but you can't negate all the other times when it creates offense. Offensive players need to carry the puck, hold onto it and make plays. If they're constantly just deflecting pucks deep they never get into a rhythm or flow.
GG is constantly saying 'we have to play a certain way' and it sounds familiar to Brent Sutter's 'we have to play the right way' which means dump it in.
I'm also not saying fire the coach. It was a bad game and GG got this team into the playoffs last year. However the current system is lacking creativity and confidence, it showed in last year's down offensive number and it doesn't look any better. I think he just has to make a little adjustment and preach to these players that they need to trust their skills a little more.