Asking the wrong people?

[Chadd 916]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=112688

Seriously, asking Ken Hitchcock and Jacques Martin about making the NHL more exciting is about like asking Mario Lemieux how to set up a trap.

[Cavs019 710]

Replace the puck with a football, the ice with turf, the blue lines with yellow first down markers, and put four hours between faceoffs, and Presto! Hockey is exciting. <_<

[Eazy_b97 1]

Maybe this is to see if there is a way to get around their systems without having to alter the game drastically.......maybe not.

[Cavs019 710]

Theo I agree completely, Martin easily had one of the most talented offensive squads this side of the Avalanche with that Ottawa team, which could have put up stupid offensive numbers and highlight after highlight with a run and gun type system.

[Jim A 4]

Burns is staying out of the media eye and has turned down all requests for interviews (minus NARCh.com!)..he is recovering though and hopefully will be back behind the bench soon..

Lemaire, I think he's a pretty private guy as well..

[Perry94 0]

Theo I agree completely, Martin easily had one of the most talented offensive squads this side of the Avalanche with that Ottawa team, which could have put up stupid offensive numbers and highlight after highlight with a run and gun type system.

I'm glad someone else (other than me) thinks that too...

[Jim A 4]

don't you think Martin's goal is to prepare the team for a long playoff run??

much like the Mavs learned a couple years ago when playing the Lakers, high powered offense in the reg season doesn't transfer over in the playoffs..

so you can fun n gun for 82 games and then not be ready when the whistles get put away...

Ottawa was on the doorstep in '03..so I don't really questions his methods...

[Jim A 4]

all coaches get fired, its part of the job description...and if you were to ask most if they'd at least like the chance to be playing one game to decide if they made it to the Finals, but they had to play it that way instead of run n gun nearly all would take it..Brodeur was better that day, nothing more

most coaches alllow that "freedom" you talk about Theo, when they have the puck they can do what they want..when they don't..they have to fall into line with the system.. its been that way for a decade now..Mike Keenan and the NJD notwithstanding.

only one can make it each year..so being close..unless your the Buffalo Bills, does cut it..it puts fans in the seats, sells corporate sponsorships, helps recruit good UFA's and sells merchandise..that is what matters first and foremost if you are an owner...

never mind that I don't see Lalime being the guy to withstand all those odd man rushes the other way...so despite the firepower they have..i could see them on the wrong side of many 7-5 games

this isn't the high flying 80's unfortunately, at times..

the "trap" or whichever words you use for it..can be made into a bit of an entertaining counterattacking system..in lieu of the 1 guy forecheck it has become..

[Eazy_b97 1]

don't you think Martin's goal is to prepare the team for a long playoff run??

much like the Mavs learned a couple years ago when playing the Lakers, high powered offense in the reg season doesn't transfer over in the playoffs..

so you can fun n gun for 82 games and then not be ready when the whistles get put away...

Ottawa was on the doorstep in '03..so I don't really questions his methods...

I do as they've had a weaker Leafs team on the ropes a few times and were never able to put them away because they just sat back against a team with weaker speed, talent and before Belfour, Goaltending.

[Chadd 916]

don't you think Martin's goal is to prepare the team for a long playoff run??

much like the Mavs learned a couple years ago when playing the Lakers, high powered offense in the reg season doesn't transfer over in the playoffs..

so you can fun n gun for 82 games and then not be ready when the whistles get put away...

Ottawa was on the doorstep in '03..so I don't really questions his methods...

A good coach plays to the strength of his team. To put blinders on and only consider one way, like Martin or Hitchcock, does not make them good coaches. The fact they put up good records is due to their team talent far more than it is to their coaching.

Tortorella adapted his philosophy to utilize all of his offensive talent. He still expected them to play defense but he granted them more freedom to create offensive opportunities.

There is a middle ground between 12 shots a game and a run and gun system.

[Jim A 4]

All you have to do is look at the Bruins who for nearly 30 years made the playoffs each year...had some runs..but were always in the mix, sure I hated Jacobs/Sinden when he wouldn't add payroll for that missing piece..but the B's still had their chances to win a Cup during that run on many occasions..

as we each seem to be NYR fans..i would rather a coach that at least gets me to the playoffs each year then sit on the sidelines..

also..while it sucks to be on the doorstep as a fan..once again..i'd rather be in the hunt ..and when it comes to stuff like sponsorships,etc..that pays the bills for most teams..obviously they need the fans..but we are a drop in the bucket cash wise in comparison to the groups that spend millions for board signage, $700 to sit rinkside, luxury boxes,etc..

personally i don't think Ottawa had enough balls in the past..and last year their goaltending was far from strong enough to win it, they are supremely talented..but need some more heart and soul if they are to even win it all..

[Chadd 916]

All you have to do is look at the Bruins who for nearly 30 years made the playoffs each year...had some runs..but were always in the mix, sure I hated Jacobs/Sinden when he wouldn't add payroll for that missing piece..but the B's still had their chances to win a Cup during that run on many occasions..

as we each seem to be NYR fans..i would rather a coach that at least gets me to the playoffs each year then sit on the sidelines..

also..while it sucks to be on the doorstep as a fan..once again..i'd rather be in the hunt ..and when it comes to stuff like sponsorships,etc..that pays the bills for most teams..obviously they need the fans..but we are a drop in the bucket cash wise in comparison to the groups that spend millions for board signage, $700 to sit rinkside, luxury boxes,etc..

personally i don't think Ottawa had enough balls in the past..and last year their goaltending was far from strong enough to win it, they are supremely talented..but need some more heart and soul if they are to even win it all..

The Bruins are a perfect example of a team that would rather contend than win. I mean the organization and not the players. As for Ottawa, if your goaltending is unsteady why would you want to try to win a tight defensive game? I'm sorry but I just think it was the wrong system for those players. A more high tempo and aggressive system could have provided a different team identity.

[Jim A 4]

I agree with a lot of your points, usually do..but we just differ on what we want as fans..

if i were a Bills fan in the '90's..i'd hate it..i hate being a Yankee fan when we don't get it done recently..yeah..at times it hurts worse than the 80's because they just sucked and were mismanaged into the ground..but in the end.i'll take the heartbreak because the chance was there and I love being at the ballpark in mid October

[DrMolotov 0]

Sure, I would like to be in the playoffs...But if I am a Sens fan, I am pissed right now. After a while, just making the playoffs and playing mediocre in them doesn't cut it to most fans. Especially when you have a team with great potential.

But if your a Leaf fan :D :P you love to watch the Sens burn.

I think Pat Quinn and The Great One would be the people to ask. Not many of my friends are Quinn fans but he finds ways to play offensive, break down the trap and they generally play an entertaining style...

[Eazy_b97 1]

I think Quinn hasn't been able to break down a system, every series the Leafs won was because they out worked their opponent, oddly enough IMO it was made harder than it should've been because Quinn can't seem to break down a system. He does play fairly offensively though.