adalbort 1 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 As an avid Blues fan, I was -to say the least- surprised about the news today that Payne was fired, to be replaced by Hitchcock. Undoubtely, Hitchcock is a man of experience, and -some say- method. Do you folks think this was a wise idea from Blues GM Armstrong? Do you think he's got the potential to make this team into the POs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 Hitch has always been a defensive coach, they tried that route before with Andy Murray and it didn't work well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snipey 0 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 Best person for the job-yes. But long term he will hurt the development of youngsters like he has done in the past. Lets just hope he doesnt turn Tarasenko into Nikita Filatov... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 Best person for the job-yes. But long term he will hurt the development of youngsters like he has done in the past. Lets just hope he doesnt turn Tarasenko into Nikita Filatov...Unless he has changed considerably, I don't think he is the best person for the job. You can forget about developing young players, it isn't going to happen. I feel badly for David, it's not going to be fun when he comes back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snipey 0 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 It will most defintetly encourage Perron to take his sweet time getting back lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scotty 8 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 We have young forwards who need to be developing their skill game and learning to work together. Considering what Hitchcock does in terms of turning forwards into two-way players (not necessarily a BAD thing, but....), I worry about what this will do to their games. Also, if he isn't liked, I wonder which players (Oshie?) will potentially leave soon thereafter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 We have young forwards who need to be developing their skill game and learning to work together. Considering what Hitchcock does in terms of turning forwards into two-way players (not necessarily a BAD thing, but....), I worry about what this will do to their games. Also, if he isn't liked, I wonder which players (Oshie?) will potentially leave soon thereafter.Hitch turns offensive players into grinders. That isn't exactly the same as creating two way players. Give up on creating odd man rushes, just in case you don't score and give up one the other way. Don't take a risk, don't step out of the safe system. Hold the other team off the board and somehow you'll score a fluke goal somewhere along the way to win 1-0. I can understand having to coach that type of system when you don't have much talent, but he has only been successful when he has had a deep team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrangler 157 Report post Posted November 8, 2011 It'll be interesting to see what he does in his first game, tonight against the Blackhawks. I'll watch for that conservative style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adalbort 1 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 It'll be interesting to see what he does in his first game, tonight against the Blackhawks. I'll watch for that conservative style.ditto! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlphaSierra 1 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 Haven't lived in StL for a number of years so I am a bit out of the loop locally. But from the interviews on NHLN, he seems to be what they need right now, hold the boys feet to the fire. They have the talent, but seemed to have lacked the focus and drive in the past few years. Wake up call, yes, Long run...? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbss71 1 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 if he keeps the kids on his side he'll be just fine. but like said its not his style. so i see this year being better, but nothing good for the future Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 If it slows development it isn't worth any short term improvement Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pizzakid13 5 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 not a fan.he took a lot of heat from the flyers younger players a couple years ago. they did not respect him since he apparently never played hockey. i found that shocking. is that true? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 not a fan.he took a lot of heat from the flyers younger players a couple years ago. they did not respect him since he apparently never played hockey. i found that shocking. is that true?most of those flyer prospects had attitude problems and were shipped out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Law Goalie 147 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 The fact that Hitchcock doesn't have a strong background as a player isn't the problem. It's the way he handles players now, and the kind of hockey his teams play.There are not that many coaches who were superb or even good players at the level they're coaching. The belief that one has to be good at something in order to teach or coach it is completely fallacious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pizzakid13 5 Report post Posted November 14, 2011 thats true but i thought i heard people say he never played at all and was some kind of x and o guru. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
