This is the first in a series of articles from a coaching perspective. All Habs is pleased to introduce Coach K with his piece on three issues currently plaguing the Montreal Canadiens.
by Coach K, Special to AllHabs.net
SAINT-LAZARE, QC–Coaching, at any level of hockey, from minor to pro, is never an exact science. There are always variables a coach must consider in every practice and every game. There is, however, a fine line between progressive coaching and over-coaching.
Over the past few weeks, the Montreal Canadiens have had three major concerns on their hockey club.
- Their deficient (or non-existent) power-play.
- An inability to identify a left winger to play with Gomez and Gionta.
- Trouble getting the puck out of the defensive zone in transition.
In reference to these problems, Canadiens Coach Jacques Martin has created other problems.
Starting with the power play, he taken last year’s most prolific scorer, Michael Cammalleri, and put him at the point. Although Cammalleri has played the point on the power-play before, his biggest asset is being inside the right face-off circle in the offensive zone, prepped to take a one-timer. He doesn’t have the over-powering slapshot, that has been a mainstay on the Habs’ power-play in recent years. His shot is not nearly as deadly as the likes of Sheldon Souray, Mark Streit and, most recently, Marc-Andre Bergeron.
It may sound asinine, but the best options right now are to either put P.K. Subban or Jaroslav Spacek on the power-play with Andrei Markov. Playing P.K Subban on the power-play would require Markov to play on the right side, while Subban would play the left to allow for the one-timer option.
The other option, which some of you are probably laughing at, is putting Spacek out there with Markov. Well, wasn’t that the reason why former Habs GM Bob Gainey signed him in the first place? Besides, a few power-play points for Spacek would go a long way to re-establishing his confidence, something he is lacking right now.
And, to help, stick someone with some size and guts in front of the opposing goalie. An idea, to start would be to stick Hal Gill in front of the net. Why, you ask? Well, he does a hell of a job screening Carey Price from time to time. Imagine the result of his shadow over the opposition’s netminder?
If you look at the left wing position on the Gomez/Gionta line, it’s seen more action than a turnstile in a Montreal Metro station. We’ve had Benoit Pouliot, Travis Moen, Tom Pyatt and Andrei Kostitsyn all give it a shot. In the process, Coach Martin has obliterated his other trios.
With the exception of Kostitsyn, the other three are at best third line players. On one of your top two lines? Can you say, “desperation”?
Part of the problem is personnel, and that’s where GM Pierre Gauthier comes in. With Alexander Picard and Ryan O’Byrne taking up valuable roster spots, it’s tough to make any moves to help boost the roster. Especially, since O’Byrne has a one-way contract, and would have to clear waivers to be sent down to Hamilton.
Gauthier needs to be more bold, and not worry so much about losing someone like O’Byrne on the waiver wire. That’s assuming anyone would grab a defenseman who has been in the press box since the season started. Sending him down would afford Jacques Martin the luxury of bring up players like Aaron Palushaj, David Desharnais or Max Pacioretty (although the latter’s honesty may have shot him in the foot!)
You need to look at your positives and assess the negative. Kostitsyn, Plekanec and Cammalleri would be a positive, which means leave them alone. The same could be said for the PhD line (Pouliot, Halpern and Darche), who have been doing yeoman’s work. With that huge gap on left wing, you could allow a defenseman to go down to Hamilton, and bring up a forward to try and help, couldn’t you? Like the lottery, if you don’t win on a regular basis, sometimes you need to change your numbers, agreed?
Finally, Perry Pearn has been messing with the defense so much, they look like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. He’s split up Gill and Gorges, arguably his best shutdown pair. He’s put Subban and Markov, two offensive defensemen together, and worst of all, he’s left Spacek and Hamrlik intact. Holy …. !!!
As a coach, I would take my best components and leave them alone. So put Gill and Gorges aside for a second. Now, of the other two pairs, it’s obvious that Hamrlik and Spacek need the most help. What do you do? Well, you can put Markov with Spacek, and Hamrlik with Subban.
Sounds simple? There’s more.
Pearn needs to pull Hamrlik and Spacek aside and give them specific roles (i.e. STOP PINCHING UP !!!!). These pairings would also allow for Markov and Subban’s talent to compensate for the lack of speed exhibited by the Habs’ elder defensemen. Another option would be to alternate your two struggling defensemen with either Picard (for Hamrlik) or O’Byrne (for Spacek).
Like I said, coaching is not an exact science. However, like a good chemist, you need to get your formulas in order, before you can address other problems. In my opinion, Coach Martin needs to stabilize his lines and forget his system for now. Once the chemistry between linemates is set, then you can address other issues, like their not-so-efficient power play.