We had Marc Rechlicz on the team eariler. Like Olivier Al had no clue how to use him. Another physical player David let go. Who is wanting this team to get less physical more, Al or David? Maybe we need a new general manager, one who actually cares more about the season tickets holders & the other fans more than his ego.
Steve
Sun, 01/16/2011 - 12:16pm
Coaching in minor league sports is a whole different animal then coaching in the majors.
First, depending on the system you're in, development of players could rank very high. This is true in the AHL and minor league baseball. Your employer, the major league team, is going to be more concerned about your ability to develop players, not particularly win games although doing both will get you more notice. This isn't as much an issue in the our league but if you do have a player sent to you from an affiliation you better be giving that player ice time and working with them or you'll lose the player and the affiliation.
Second, and I believe this applies especially to hockey at this level, a coach has to have the players who have the ability to do the things he wants them to do. A coach can have the best systems in the world but if he has a team of players who for the most part can't carry them out then it won't matter.
So the coach needs to be able to develop systems and conform them to the players he has to work with. If you're stuck with a bunch of players who for some reason don't seem to be able to score goals then you need to develop a very strong defense.
In the majors, you still have the same considerations as far as developing systems based on your players but you have higher skilled players so in some ways it easier to do, except the competition is also higher skilled. The Tincaps are managed differently the the Padres, etc. I wonder if Scotty Bowman could do much better offensively with the current Komets roster? Possibly not.
Another issue in the Majors, especially hockey it seems, is how much backing the coach will get from management. NHL coaches sometimes have to walk a fine line between what they want and what their players want. One of the complaints I've heard most often from NHL coaches is how management is going to coddle a player making millions more then the coach, and if that player want's to do it "his way" the coach may have no choice.
Firing a coach mid season hasn't worked out all that well in minor league hockey, or for that matter even in the NHL. A recent exception would be Gabby and the Capitals, but he was already in their system and had worked with many of the team members previous to his promotion. At the CHL level you have to start from scratch with a new coach and the same players. It just doesn't work out that well.
The team is making changes too the roster and we are seeing some improvement. I think firing Al at this point would border on being stupid and history shows it would be a major mistake. He deserves the rest of the season.
For next season decisions will have to be made on coaching and roster, and I think the Frankes have learned enough this year to go after different players (I sure hope they have) next season and coaching will also have to be a consideration. In the CHL you have to be able to make things work with less skilled players.
waynesworld
Sun, 01/16/2011 - 1:30pm
Steve, all very rational thoughts, FINALLY!!! I agree with your assessment that the changes made thus far are indeed an improvement. To wit ... https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tfE4qZnd_FqKxsGtG5Ch5bQ&hl=en&authkey=CLaGovYO#gid=0
I targetted the "Even Strength Pts/Game" because I'm not certain who is and who isn't a regular on the PP. Can't really assess one's contribution if not comparing 'apples to apples'. Those that are highlighted are the newest acquisitions (I believe. Hope I didn't omit anyone). I included Lapointe, albeit he's only had 2 games and it is quite early but from what I've seen so far, his contribution should manifest for the remainder of the season. I just jinxed him didn't I?
I also gotta believe with all the hockey brain-power available to the Komets' staff and the support of technology (game tapes) they should be able to identify and FIX, let me say that again ... FIX the problems that prevent the players from performing their role. A team is only as good as its weakest link. A goal scorer can't fulfill his role if he is required to muck it out in the corners because the designated "mucker' isn't doing his job. The speedy winger can't be all that speedy if he is relied upon to bail out his defense in their defensive zone. This team is highly skilled, I truly believe that but the problems aren't being addressed from what I can see from my perch in the stands. A perch that is a mere 50-60ft. from the ice-surface but might as well be a lightyear from "seeing" what is really going on.
Steve
Sun, 01/16/2011 - 3:35pm
We have to hope the right changes are being made and improvement continues. As usual time will tell.
Comments
We had Marc Rechlicz on the team eariler. Like Olivier Al had no clue how to use him. Another physical player David let go. Who is wanting this team to get less physical more, Al or David? Maybe we need a new general manager, one who actually cares more about the season tickets holders & the other fans more than his ego.
Coaching in minor league sports is a whole different animal then coaching in the majors.
First, depending on the system you're in, development of players could rank very high. This is true in the AHL and minor league baseball. Your employer, the major league team, is going to be more concerned about your ability to develop players, not particularly win games although doing both will get you more notice. This isn't as much an issue in the our league but if you do have a player sent to you from an affiliation you better be giving that player ice time and working with them or you'll lose the player and the affiliation.
Second, and I believe this applies especially to hockey at this level, a coach has to have the players who have the ability to do the things he wants them to do. A coach can have the best systems in the world but if he has a team of players who for the most part can't carry them out then it won't matter.
So the coach needs to be able to develop systems and conform them to the players he has to work with. If you're stuck with a bunch of players who for some reason don't seem to be able to score goals then you need to develop a very strong defense.
In the majors, you still have the same considerations as far as developing systems based on your players but you have higher skilled players so in some ways it easier to do, except the competition is also higher skilled. The Tincaps are managed differently the the Padres, etc. I wonder if Scotty Bowman could do much better offensively with the current Komets roster? Possibly not.
Another issue in the Majors, especially hockey it seems, is how much backing the coach will get from management. NHL coaches sometimes have to walk a fine line between what they want and what their players want. One of the complaints I've heard most often from NHL coaches is how management is going to coddle a player making millions more then the coach, and if that player want's to do it "his way" the coach may have no choice.
Firing a coach mid season hasn't worked out all that well in minor league hockey, or for that matter even in the NHL. A recent exception would be Gabby and the Capitals, but he was already in their system and had worked with many of the team members previous to his promotion. At the CHL level you have to start from scratch with a new coach and the same players. It just doesn't work out that well.
The team is making changes too the roster and we are seeing some improvement. I think firing Al at this point would border on being stupid and history shows it would be a major mistake. He deserves the rest of the season.
For next season decisions will have to be made on coaching and roster, and I think the Frankes have learned enough this year to go after different players (I sure hope they have) next season and coaching will also have to be a consideration. In the CHL you have to be able to make things work with less skilled players.
Steve, all very rational thoughts, FINALLY!!! I agree with your assessment that the changes made thus far are indeed an improvement. To wit ... https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tfE4qZnd_FqKxsGtG5Ch5bQ&hl=en&authkey=CLaGovYO#gid=0
I targetted the "Even Strength Pts/Game" because I'm not certain who is and who isn't a regular on the PP. Can't really assess one's contribution if not comparing 'apples to apples'. Those that are highlighted are the newest acquisitions (I believe. Hope I didn't omit anyone). I included Lapointe, albeit he's only had 2 games and it is quite early but from what I've seen so far, his contribution should manifest for the remainder of the season. I just jinxed him didn't I?
I also gotta believe with all the hockey brain-power available to the Komets' staff and the support of technology (game tapes) they should be able to identify and FIX, let me say that again ... FIX the problems that prevent the players from performing their role. A team is only as good as its weakest link. A goal scorer can't fulfill his role if he is required to muck it out in the corners because the designated "mucker' isn't doing his job. The speedy winger can't be all that speedy if he is relied upon to bail out his defense in their defensive zone. This team is highly skilled, I truly believe that but the problems aren't being addressed from what I can see from my perch in the stands. A perch that is a mere 50-60ft. from the ice-surface but might as well be a lightyear from "seeing" what is really going on.
We have to hope the right changes are being made and improvement continues. As usual time will tell.
Nice work on the spreadsheet.