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#1
Not talking about the team specifically (hence different thread) but I wonder what general lessons the management and coach will draw from the season? Although ultimately disappointing, this season will have been invaluable for a new coach such as Lord. So, based on no experience whatsoever (I don't even play NHL on PS), here are some random outsider's thoughts:
Rotation system - this worked well some times. eg I felt Kurka improved a lot after he was benched for a couple of games. But I wonder if it upset the team dynamics towards the end. I know the players are professional, so it's not as if there was any undermining, but it may impact upon team spirit for a player like Hendo, who will wonder why he is always rested, when others such as Hotham never are, even when they're clearly in a bad patch. My solution would be that Lord acts as the spare import next year - that is he is a default bench coach, but can play if we have injury/suspension. This may help ease the transition from player to coach for him also.
Recruit to lines - we had a "anyone can play on any line" approach, which worked well at the start, but towards the end I think players need to have settled lines and for each of those lines to have a specific function. It took a while to put the Doucet/Kurka/Martin line together, and then it was broken up, resulting in Doucet looking lost. Next year have finesse/two-way/agitator lines or whatever and recruit with those in mind.
Maintain character balance - I felt that with Clarkson, then Marsh and Walton we lost a lot of big dressing room/team bonhomie characters. Russell and Fournier are great acquisitions, but they don't fulfill the same personality roles. Next year, getting this balance right is key, as much as the quality of the players. We need a respected/feared Captain (Keefe like) who will be Lord's right hand man, and a couple of players who know what it means to win.
Mid-season review - I admire that Lord is very loyal to his players, and I think that has a lot of team morale benefits. But it was obvious to many that, for whatever reason, Salters wasn't really working out at the Devils. Other clubs may have been more ruthless about making changes mid season if that's what's required to get the job done. This does come at a price though if you lose a reputation for being a supportive club, so debatable.
The second half matters more than the first - I know, duh. Any one of 5 teams could have won the league with a strong finish from Feb, so that is where we need to concentrate and make sure players are fresh.
Have a clear priority - more than anything this season has demonstrated that going for all three trophies is psychologically very demanding. Every game becomes "the most important game of the season". There's only so many times players can go to that well. While I don't think Thommo said "go and lose 8-0" in the Challenge Cup semi, the league was clearly their priority. And for Panthers once the league had gone, the cups became the main focus. We may have to be prepared to sacrifice going for one to realise another.
That all sounds negative - I've enjoyed most of the season though, it's what you support clubs for isn't it? If trophies were guaranteed there'd be no joy in getting them. Would be interested to hear what others feel are the general lessons we can take?
Rotation system - this worked well some times. eg I felt Kurka improved a lot after he was benched for a couple of games. But I wonder if it upset the team dynamics towards the end. I know the players are professional, so it's not as if there was any undermining, but it may impact upon team spirit for a player like Hendo, who will wonder why he is always rested, when others such as Hotham never are, even when they're clearly in a bad patch. My solution would be that Lord acts as the spare import next year - that is he is a default bench coach, but can play if we have injury/suspension. This may help ease the transition from player to coach for him also.
Recruit to lines - we had a "anyone can play on any line" approach, which worked well at the start, but towards the end I think players need to have settled lines and for each of those lines to have a specific function. It took a while to put the Doucet/Kurka/Martin line together, and then it was broken up, resulting in Doucet looking lost. Next year have finesse/two-way/agitator lines or whatever and recruit with those in mind.
Maintain character balance - I felt that with Clarkson, then Marsh and Walton we lost a lot of big dressing room/team bonhomie characters. Russell and Fournier are great acquisitions, but they don't fulfill the same personality roles. Next year, getting this balance right is key, as much as the quality of the players. We need a respected/feared Captain (Keefe like) who will be Lord's right hand man, and a couple of players who know what it means to win.
Mid-season review - I admire that Lord is very loyal to his players, and I think that has a lot of team morale benefits. But it was obvious to many that, for whatever reason, Salters wasn't really working out at the Devils. Other clubs may have been more ruthless about making changes mid season if that's what's required to get the job done. This does come at a price though if you lose a reputation for being a supportive club, so debatable.
The second half matters more than the first - I know, duh. Any one of 5 teams could have won the league with a strong finish from Feb, so that is where we need to concentrate and make sure players are fresh.
Have a clear priority - more than anything this season has demonstrated that going for all three trophies is psychologically very demanding. Every game becomes "the most important game of the season". There's only so many times players can go to that well. While I don't think Thommo said "go and lose 8-0" in the Challenge Cup semi, the league was clearly their priority. And for Panthers once the league had gone, the cups became the main focus. We may have to be prepared to sacrifice going for one to realise another.
That all sounds negative - I've enjoyed most of the season though, it's what you support clubs for isn't it? If trophies were guaranteed there'd be no joy in getting them. Would be interested to hear what others feel are the general lessons we can take?
