5 replies to this topic

[Zeke]

It seems that the old adage,"don't fix it if it ain't broken"applies to most hockey coaches,especially in the playoffs.
Don Cherry always professes that you never change a winning lineup,and I think that most NHL coaches follow that philosophy.

My feeling is that you should have your best players out there,and if one or two are playing poorly or just ineffective,then why not substitute for the next game? Many games are won with less than a stellar effort from every player,so why not try to elevate for the next game?

If anyone remembers the Devils/Wings SCF (1995?),I believe the Devils coach (Lemaire at the time)made about 2 substitutions every game,even though they WON !?
At the time,that strategy clearly provided a spark for the team and kept the Wings off balance in countering that move. (First time Bowman was outcoached?)

The Abelkader substitution we can call a no-brainer,and few Wing fans will dispute it,but what about living on the edge and making one or two moves after a win?

If I'm coaching,I do the following:

1) Give Ericsson a seat (just too slow and not physical enough)and insert Lebda. He's not big,but faster and probably hungry to play

2)Please sit Draper-he's just ineffective and really has lost his role to the younger players.I'd rather see Meech in his place or give one of the GR players (Ritola) a little ice time.

What do you think,too radical?
I know Don Cherry would ...

[Crashnburnluder]

only thing I have with lebda over ericsson is the size difference.... With how physical of a series this has been so far I think Lebda would be very ineffective out there because he will get knocked and pushed around lot easier then Ericsson... I love having his size out there, he doesnt hit as much as he should with his size... but he hits just as much as lebda would but has the size to defend of a hit.... thats really my only reasoning why I would want to keep Ericsson in the line up...

[Zeke]

only thing I have with lebda over ericsson is the size difference.... With how physical of a series this has been so far I think Lebda would be very ineffective out there because he will get knocked and pushed around lot easier then Ericsson... I love having his size out there, he doesnt hit as much as he should with his size... but he hits just as much as lebda would but has the size to defend of a hit.... thats really my only reasoning why I would want to keep Ericsson in the line up...

I agree with the size difference,but Ericsson does't use it enough,and seems slow moving to the man and containing him.I'm hoping Lebda can use his speed and maintain position better.

[dat's sick]

only thing I have with lebda over ericsson is the size difference.... With how physical of a series this has been so far I think Lebda would be very ineffective out there because he will get knocked and pushed around lot easier then Ericsson... I love having his size out there, he doesnt hit as much as he should with his size... but he hits just as much as lebda would but has the size to defend of a hit.... thats really my only reasoning why I would want to keep Ericsson in the line up...

I agree, we need Ericsson size out there. Besides I don't think he has been that bad. Kronwall, Lilja and Rafalski have all made bigger mistakes than him in this series.

OP has a good point though, I think coaches are too afraid to make changes to a winning lineup. I wonder if Babs would have let Williams stay in there if we had pulled out a win in Game 1?

[Crymson]

I agree that Ericsson should sit. However, I think it's a psychological hit to the players if a teammate is benched after a winning game.

[Zeke]

I agree that Ericsson should sit. However, I think it's a psychological hit to the players if a teammate is benched after a winning game.

I think injecting new blood into every game keeps everyone on their toes,and fighting for their positions.
The new players are usually more "hungry" and want to prove that the coach made a great decision (see Abdelkader's performance last night)