YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 One thing that people haven't really talked much about so far is the change in coaching staff. Granted, the change isn't big, but there are a few things that make this interesting. 1) When the Wings signed Brad McCrimmon, there were a lot of Atlanta fans who came out of the woodwork and said McCrimmon was garbage. They justified their point by saying when the Hartley was fired, McCrimmon wasn't promoted because Thrash brass' didn't think he was capable. 2) Over in San Jose, Sharks fans are raving about the work McLellan has done. Goals from all lines, great defensive support from forwards, and a viable offense. Woodcroft the video coach, as we know, also went with him. So what do you think? Is there any credence to the theory that the play of the Red Wings might have something to do with the coaching? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 I said it the other day, but didnt make anything of it. But, the puck possesion from last year isnt there, the defensive play isnt there, and the Wings are playing alot more dump and chase, chip it in on tip passes. Stuff I havent seen from them since Lewis was head coach. I hope the Wings go back to there play from last season, alot better, I hate the dump and chase game as opposed to puck possesion, bring it in game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Four Report post Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) Yeah, the Sharks took our special forces =[ This bearded buffoon seems useless. Edited October 20, 2008 by Four Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Yeah, the Sharks took our special forces =[ This bearded buffoon seems useless. Why the hell would they decide to stop using puck possession, the thing that everyone credits our SC win with? Some people are retarded. The Wings have been playing....different. Babcock better bring the thunder and get these new people in line with the Wings philosophy. At the end of the day, the buck stops with him, and he's too good of a coach to not notice the change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Four Report post Posted October 20, 2008 We should get Kopecky to negotiate with McLellan and Woodcroft.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Sharks are kicking butt with McLellan behind the bench. They love him there, according to my Shark-fan friends in San Jose. The Sharks do, too, apparently. 5-1-0, with very convincing offensive numbers aside from the 4-0 shutout vs. the Ducks. Do the Wings need coaching that badly? Was McLellan that good?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heaton 1 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Todd McLellan is probably going to be a really good head coach but anyone who wasn't as arrogant as Ron Wilson coming in and took the shackles off the players would see improvement. On that same note, Sharks fans have said that Thornton and Marleau are already transformed into Selke winners 5 games into the season. McLellan is doing a good job but let's not go overboard. The playoffs are where we see how good the coach and the players are. Besides, unless someone can actually tell us what McLellan did as an assistant coach we don't know how much influence or affect he had on the team. I know he did, considering the players liked him and the Sharks really did as well but it's all speculation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Besides, unless someone can actually tell us what McLellan did as an assistant coach we don't know how much influence or affect he had on the team. I know he did, considering the players liked him and the Sharks really did as well but it's all speculation. Yup. All we can do is speculate, but its definitely as viable a theory as the absence of Dallas Drake. Its the only change to the team thats been made outside of Marian Hossa, which shouldnt effect the awful performance of our defense pairings so far and the overall play in our defensive zone. Considering McCrimmon IS the defensive specialist, it'd be interesting to know how hes handling the defense. And if you attribute the performance of our forwards to the lack of familiarity among linemates, then all that really leaves is team defense. Maybe thrashers fans were right about McCrimmon... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heaton 1 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Yup. All we can do is speculate, but its definitely as viable a theory as the absence of Dallas Drake. Its the only change to the team thats been made outside of Marian Hossa, which shouldnt effect the awful performance of our defense pairings so far and the overall play in our defensive zone. Considering McCrimmon IS the defensive specialist, it'd be interesting to know how hes handling the defense. And if you attribute the performance of our forwards to the lack of familiarity among linemates, then all that really leaves is team defense. Maybe thrashers fans were right about McCrimmon... The more plausible theory is we're still accustomed to watching the Wings play playoff style championship caliber hockey. BlueMonk has said this a few times but it'll take a little while for the Wings to come around and start treating these games as more than just extended-exhibition games. The defensive lapses and poor coverage is frustrating but when the Wings are still winning more than they're losing it's hard to get too worried. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jedi 1,865 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Besides, unless someone can actually tell us what McLellan did as an assistant coach we don't know how much influence or affect he had on the team. I know he did, considering the players liked him and the Sharks really did as well but it's all speculation. From what I remember right as McLellan was hired away, he was responsible for the offense and the Power Play. I can't find anything to back up the part about the offensive side, but I did find this link (USA Today) to back up the part about the PP... McLellan had spent the past three seasons as an assistant in Detroit, where he was considered a bright offensive coach who led Detroit's power-play units. The Red Wings had the NHL's top power play in McLellan's first season, and the second best over his three-year tenure at 20.1%. McLellan helped the Red Wings knock out the Sharks in the second round of the playoffs in 2007 and win the Stanley Cup over Pittsburgh this past season Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Four Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Well now we know why our special unit isn't doing to well this year.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dawgs 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Assistants implement the HC strategys. They dont go off on thier own and change philosophys. The Wings are standing around watching the play too often. They arent moving thier feet and thats leading to turnovers. Forwards arent coming back as hard on the backcheck. The goaltendings been average. Thers no urgency to thier game at either end of the ice. No aggressiveness. There is definately a hangover going on right now and to blame one new assistant coach or the loss of one player is ludicrous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 From what I understand McLellan's *primary* focus was the offense and more specifically the PP. Whether that means MacLean was/still is in charge of the defense, I'm not 100% clear. Either way, I think Bluemonk is right in stating that the Wings are treating these games as extended exhibition games. IIRC, while the Wings jumped out to a similar record last year I believe the same level of concern was there regarding their overall level of play. The fact of the matter is that the Wings aren't clicking on all cylinders *yet*, but like last year have still won the majority of their early games and will continue to improve as a cohesive unit. Does anyone remember how annoyed people were getting last year when a good amount of posters were saying, "relax, its early" a little less than a month in to the season? We're not even that far yet and things turn out just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heaton 1 Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Well now we know why our special unit isn't doing to well this year.. Err the Wings are 27% on the PP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
