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Originally Posted by rooster
Well said. Badger Bob was one of the best at having a game plan to neutralize the best players on the other team. It seems like most coaches think they can win by playing their game but that doesn't always work with guys as good as Mcdavid. Big 6' 4" chicken #### bitch Draisatyl went after our two smallest guys Johnny and the Mangiapane and nobody did anything. In the late 80's half the team would have gone after him.
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This is a good point, and has probably been the single greatest theme of Treliving's coaching hires: Gaulutzan, Peters, and Ward all seemed convinced that a dogged commitment to their system was the path to success. (And it makes sense when you consider Treliving's commitment to process).
The best coaches are adaptive. And can neutralize other teams' weapons/strategies.
Sutter's motivational skills are legendary, of course. But I also believe that he is excellent at these things. You have to be, to win cups. In 04, he shut down the vaunted Detroit offence. The Kings shut down everyone in their path.
Whether or not he can get this team to do that remains to be seen. But one thing is fairly certain: Sutter can do his part.