by CoachK, AllHabs.Net
SAINT-LAZARE, QC. — As the Canadiens’ roster continues to dwindle due to mounting injuries, they are beginning to look more like the Hamilton Bulldogs than the original 23 man roster that started the season. Players like Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges, Max Pacioretty, Jaroslav Spacek and Tomas Plekanec, to name a few, are replaced by Yannick Weber, Alexandre Picard, Nigel Dawes, James Wisniewski and Aaron Palushaj. Amazingly, the Canadiens have been able to afford themselves a cushion in sixth place in the conference, but, like any pillow, if you lean on it too long, it starts to sink in the middle.
When adversity like this affects a team, this is the time when a coach really earns his salary. This is the challenge that faces Jacques Martin at this very moment. While he insists that his “system” is the solution to all the issues the Habs’ face right now, his lack of adjustments is what scares me the most. I can understand his apprehension, but given the remaining talent on the roster, there is plenty of things Coach Martin and his staff can do to ensure the Canadiens remain competitive.
Given the current roster and system, here are some ways I would personally address the situation:
1 – Reinforce the forecheck
Up to this point in the season, “Les Glorieux” have used a passive 1-2-2 forechecking system. What this means is that the forecheckers attempt to direct opposing players in a given direction, without engaging in physical contact. This strategy allows the opposition to maintain possession of the puck, while the Habs setup defensive on their side of the neutral zone.
In my 30+ years in hockey, both as a player and a coach, I have NEVER employed a non-physical forechecking to my teams. I always emphasize finishing to the body, in order to get into the opposing player’s head that they need to hurry to make plays. More often than not, this results in turnover that benefit us.
My idea would be to not use a team-wide forechecking scheme. I would ask my players to mix it up, depending on a given situation. For example, early on, since players are fresh, use a 2-1-2 forecheck to exert pressure on the opponent, forcing them to be sharp. Early turnovers normally leads to early goals, and getting the other team off their initial game plan. Then, as the game progresses, employ a, AGGRESSIVE 1-2-2 forecheck, emphasizing the finishing of body checks, and maintain the mental edge over the opposition. Finally, mix both forechecking schemes together, using them against specific match-ups where you had success at the onset of the game.
2 – Triangulate Your Attack
When attacking the offensive zone, the Canadiens use more of a North-South approach, going wide along the boards and separating from each other. The Habs’ forwards do not attempt switching lanes going into the zone, facilitating the opposing defenders’ task of keep them to the outside, and sealing the mid-ice lane. Not only does this force players to make long passes, but it often results in turnovers because the defending team effectively cuts off the passing lanes. This approach is the primary reason why Scott Gomez, the much maligned Canadiens’ centreman, is having such a hard time generating any offense effectively.
By triangulating the offensive attack, attacking forwards cause confusion to the defenders, making them switch coverages and forcing them into mistakes. Triangulation allow for a continued presence in the mid-ice lane, either net front or in the high slot. It would also allow the Canadiens to engage a more frequent cycle game. As it stands, the weak side winger often skates across the ice and behind the net in the offensive zone, which allows for an easy outlet for the defending team to exit their zone.
Triangulation also employs switching of skating lanes, whether a player is in possession of the puck or not. This is yet another tactic that forces defending players to rethink their coverage and opening up the offensive zone.
3 – Spread the Opposing Defense Out
In the Martin system, forwards are often asked to collapse below the top of the faceoff circle in the defensive zone. This tactic in itself is flawed, as the point-high defensemen can remain a few steps inside the Canadiens’ blue line and trap them in their zone. The opposition take away the Habs’ time and space, often resulting in dangerous turnovers in the defensive zone.
To reduce some of this pressure, the Canadiens should force keep only their defensemen and one defending forward, normally the centreman, deep in the zone. To complement the D-zone coverage, depending on the position of the puck, the point-high forwards can alternate their depth inside the zone, allowing for an easier outlet from the zone, or possibly a quick stretch pass, something we don’t see from the Canadiens that often.
4 – Use Your Players Strengths and Define Their Roles
In the current Canadiens’ coaching philosophy, players are expected to produce, regardless of their linemates, and are expected to play similarly. Because of the varying talent on the roster, this will NEVER produce consistent results. Using players’ individual strengths would be beneficial to everyone.
Players like Travis Moen, Tom Pyatt and Nigel Dawes bring toughness to the roster. They are not offensive juggernauts, so they should be used in a defensive capacity, primarily on the penalty kill. Players of this mold should be used when engaging the cycle down low. Defenseman like Hall Gill and Roman Hamrlik, play well in their own zone and should be assigned to that unit as well. Then, given the talent of Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Lars Eller and Andrei Kostitsyn, they should be used on the powerplay. Kostitsyn, in my opinion, with his heavy wrist shot, would make a great point man on the powerplay. On defense, Subban, Weber and Wisniewski all have heavy shots. Their strength would force the defending team to play them close, opening up the low play for the Canadiens’ smallish forwards.
Defining specific, yet different roles to players would keep everyone on an even kiel as far as ice time is concerned, and would allow the players to get the needed anaerobic rest their bodies need between shifts. This would also reduce the possibility of injury, by allowing the body to recuperate.
These are but a few steps that can be taken, given the current situation, to allow the Canadiens to maintain their grasp of the playoff position, and possibly the top of the division and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It remains that all this and more lies in the hands of Coach Martin. And given his past, I’m not too optimistic.
Great analysis Kosta! I would love to see more aggressive forechecking and adpting the system to the players strength. But, that I not the JM way. Everyone fits the mold.. Here is your assignment.
That said, given the talent lost to injuries this year, the team is doing quite well. Does that speak to the effectiveness of the system, or just the quality of the talent PG acquired and the strength of the team in Hamilton?
Thanks Chris.
Most of the talent was already in place while Bob Gainey was still the GM of the Habs. Gauthier was more of a scouting supervisor at the time.
That being said, the real quality is in the coaches that have been behind the Bulldogs’ bench. Don Lever, Guy boucher and, now, Randy Cunneyworth have done amazing jobs in preparing players for this organization.
Cunneyworth needs a lot of praise. Not only has he had the Baby Habs prepared in case some of them got the call up to the NHL, but, with the rash of injuries, he’s managed to keep the ‘Dogs competitive with a revolving door of players.
If Muller does leave at season’s end, I hope the Canadiens have enough gumption to give the assitant coach’s position to Cunneyworth. He’s earned it.
Right now, all things considered, I would find it hard to argue against the remarkable success that this team has had in this difficult year … and last for that matter. Any system has its pluses and minuses, but, whether the best for this team or not, the team is applying it well. Surely JM has done one or two things well?
Under the circumstances he has, AC. There have been points in the season where I wanted to rip my hair out (which is the reason I shaved my head.)
But, if you take last night as an example, he used Roman Hamrlik an unthinkable 29+ minutes. That’s half the game! Not only is recovery difficult for a 36 year old at that point, but how much confidence are you showing in your remaining defensemen?
While the system is always subject to criticism and praise, adjusting one’s system defines their team’s success. So does their use of players, and the frequency therein.
Hmmm…Martin refuses to change his system(yet the Habs have a solid cushion in 6th despite a severely depleted roster).
You keep saying the same changes are needed, post after post after post.
Perhaps you are the one who refuses to change, ‘Coach’ K.
Stef,
I’ve been repetitive? Really?
I have given Coach Martin credit for being able to maintain the team’s hold on 6th place, albeit a small amount. Using your top players in all situations not only tires them out, but shows a lack of belief in your players.
You make your comments based on the day-to-day goings on with what you watch on TV, right? You think points are all that matter, right? I DON’T!
With the playoffs around the corner, it’s utterly asinine to use someone like Roman Hamrlik for almost half a game. What did Martin ask of him before the game? “Roman, being in your 1300th game, tonight could you do….everything?”
Last night, he mixed up the use of players on special teams, and I give him credit for that. His forecheck was strong, but lacked variety.
I’ve been in hockey for over 30 years, and while you may not agree with my opinions, they’ve worked for me.
Answers to your questions, in order:
Yes. Yes. No. No.
I won’t answer the question you pose to Hammer on behalf of Martin, because unlike you, I don’t think Martin is a one dimensional coach who is so predictable I can just speak for him.
The fact Martin has gotten the Habs so far this year with all the injuries and roster changes is testament to how adaptable he his. He has the Bulldogs beating NHL teams on a regular basis.
“With the playoffs around the corner, it’s utterly asinine” for a minor league coach to think he could do a better job than an experienced NHL coach. Will the Habs win the Cup (cue angelic choir)? This is the one area where your guess is as good as mine. When it comes to taking the Habs as far as they can go in the playoffs this year, I’ll take Martin over a bush-leaguer who seems to think he should have Martin’s job.
I’m just guessing, but 30 years experience in hockey hasn’t gotten you to the NHL yet has it? Experience is not the same as results. My dog had 15 years experience with a front lawn, but he still wrapped himself around the tree every other day…
Just sayin’
Then your dog’s an idiot.
And the graphics are there to generalize the theory, not to explain the whole thing. To do that would take hours, not a single article.
Making it to the NHL is difficult, with only 30 jobs available. And all coaches, be it in the NHL or Europe, started in the same place as myself, and formulated their own coaching strategies in the process.
I don’t want to start name dropping, because I shouldn’t have to. Needless to say that some of the very same coaches you see on your TV and I have had multiple discussions about hockey, and have learned from each other.
You’re entitled to you opinion, and that’s fine. But if I choose to remain home to raise my kids, instead of taking jobs at higher levels is my decision, and how dare you insult me for it.
If you disagree with my analysis and ideas, that’s fine. I have never said I am the hockey god, and my way is the highway. But I have coached in similar situations, with a diminished lineup. And regardless of the level, fatigue is what it is, and roles hold huge value.
Oh, and thanks for the pretty graphics, I’d never be able to understand your complex ‘NHL calibre’ tactics without them, cause I’m just one of the great unwashed… I guess you are a coach after all…
Stef, this is your second and final warning. Inappropriate behaviour may be tolerated at other sites that you frequent but not here. The sum total of your comments have been personal attacks. If you believe that Jacques Martin is a superior coach, make your argument and support it.
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