If you were the new Caps coach...

[BOSSMANPC]

What would you do? Change the C or the style of play, maybe shuffle the lines?

It's going to be a tough job for the new coach. This team is underachieving.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'd shuffle the lines a bit in the first game, find a combo that works, and STICK WITH IT for at least 3 games. The C stays where it is, but I'd certainly have a one on one meeting with Alex before the next game to discuss what was seen in film and talk about what he's looking for. Alex is a huge part of the team and while you can't cater to all of his needs/wants, you can and should take his opinion into consideration. I'd probably shift to a more offensively minded system, but the lack of speed on the Caps D is an issue. I'd also sit down with Voukon and talk things over. Just give him a vote of confidence. I'd also move OV to the point on the PP.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Im 92% certain this is what Dale Hunter said to him today

"Alex ... Fuck this shit ... go out and fucking score like you fucking used to ... forget about what that fat fuck said. This is the fucking NHL and youve fucking done it before and you can fucking do it again. Use your fuckin skills and let the fuckin rest take care of itself ... alright? FUCKING RIGHTS!!!"

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I'd shuffle the lines a bit in the first game, find a combo that works, and STICK WITH IT for at least 3 games. The C stays where it is, but I'd certainly have a one on one meeting with Alex before the next game to discuss what was seen in film and talk about what he's looking for. Alex is a huge part of the team and while you can't cater to all of his needs/wants, you can and should take his opinion into consideration. I'd probably shift to a more offensively minded system, but the lack of speed on the Caps D is an issue. I'd also sit down with Voukon and talk things over. Just give him a vote of confidence. I'd also move OV to the point on the PP.

Good post pix. During the Sabres game Rob Ray made the comment that it seems like the "Inmates are running the asylum". They need discipline.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Im 92% certain this is what Dale Hunter said to him today

"Alex ... Fuck this shit ... go out and fucking score like you fucking used to ... forget about what that fat fuck said. This is the fucking NHL and youve fucking done it before and you can fucking do it again. Use your fuckin skills and let the fuckin rest take care of itself ... alright? FUCKING RIGHTS!!!"

No "Four passes first!, FOUR!"

 

[pixburgher66]

Good post pix. During the Sabres game Rob Ray made the comment that it seems like the "Inmates are running the asylum". They need discipline.

I think some of the inherit discipline these guys have will come back with a new coach...I don't think that the Caps have leadership issues with Laich and Knuble in the locker room. I could be wrong though. I don't think a strict hard-ass is exactly what they need now, but a guy that's likable, but doesn't sugar coat things. I'm pretty certain Hunter will have success, as long as the players are willing to listen.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Im 92% certain this is what Dale Hunter said to him today

"Alex ... Fuck this shit ... go out and fucking score like you fucking used to ... forget about what that fat fuck said. This is the fucking NHL and youve fucking done it before and you can fucking do it again. Use your fuckin skills and let the fuckin rest take care of itself ... alright? FUCKING RIGHTS!!!"

Pretty much this.

Oh and if he's smart he makes sure the fitness and training staff knows that these guys need to be pushed. There are some elite young athletes on the Caps. They should be wearing teams down.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

I'd sit the team down, and calmly explain to them that they are one of the most talented groups of NHLers ever thrown out on the ice, and that they could win games with a monkey or even Wayne Gretzky as their coach. I would tell them to calm down, worry about the basics, and they WILL start winning games. Let me worry about the playoffs.

 

[forty_three]

Im 92% certain this is what Dale Hunter said to him today

"Alex ... Fuck this shit ... go out and fucking score like you fucking used to ... forget about what that fat fuck said. This is the fucking NHL and youve fucking done it before and you can fucking do it again. Use your fuckin skills and let the fuckin rest take care of itself ... alright? FUCKING RIGHTS!!!"

Followed by "I have a Turgeon jersey for you to wear in practice if you don't."

Too soon?

 

[BlueandWhiteForever]

Franky I don't think there is anything I could do differently than Boudreau did. Caps seem to have a team full of egos unwilling to put in the work every night. Other than limiting ice time for players playing poorly, I don't know.

That being said, they would love my "First born child" coaching style

 

[kenyg54]

Beat the crap out of a few Caps

 

[johnnytata]

Im 92% certain this is what Dale Hunter said to him today

"Alex ... Fuck this shit ... go out and fucking score like you fucking used to ... forget about what that fat fuck said. This is the fucking NHL and youve fucking done it before and you can fucking do it again. Use your fuckin skills and let the fuckin rest take care of itself ... alright? FUCKING RIGHTS!!!"

I agree with this comment.

 

[Automattic]

I agree with this comment.

Agree!? Fuck, I thought you wrote it!!!

 

[ritari330]

I'd shuffle the lines a bit in the first game, find a combo that works, and STICK WITH IT for at least 3 games. The C stays where it is, but I'd certainly have a one on one meeting with Alex before the next game to discuss what was seen in film and talk about what he's looking for. Alex is a huge part of the team and while you can't cater to all of his needs/wants, you can and should take his opinion into consideration. I'd probably shift to a more offensively minded system, but the lack of speed on the Caps D is an issue. I'd also sit down with Voukon and talk things over. Just give him a vote of confidence. I'd also move OV to the point on the PP.

Keep OV FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR AWAY from the point! Please, I beg of you Dale Hunter, keep OV off the point no matter how much he wants to be on the point.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I don't watch the Caps enough to know how much my strategy differs, but play a tight back checking system. OV, Semin, etc. have the talent to score on the chances they are given. Play solid team D and capitalize on PP and the chances you create from defensive stops.

 

[pixburgher66]

I don't watch the Caps enough to know how much my strategy differs, but play a tight back checking system. OV, Semin, etc. have the talent to score on the chances they are given. Play solid team D and capitalize on PP and the chances you create from defensive stops.

Hello 2010! Not sure how well that'd go over...again. Tweaks I suppose could work, but I'm fairly certain that hybrid is what BB was working on all season.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

I love the people who see two or three caps games and read a message board and tell us about how many egos are there and how Ovechkin's a puck hog and lazy, and every other myth about them. It is hilarious. Seriously, stick to your own team, you sound like a bunch of fucking idiots.

(you know who you are)

A lot of the rest of you re dead on.

 

[IPostedWhat]

As a fan of the Sabres, I have seen at least two or three Caps games, and I just wanted to say that OV has always been a lazy puck hog. I also wanted to state that every other myth you hear about the Caps is completely accurate and shows why the team is in this situation.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

I love the people who see two or three caps games and read a message board and tell us about how many egos are there and how Ovechkin's a puck hog and lazy, and every other myth about them. It is hilarious. Seriously, stick to your own team, you sound like a bunch of fucking idiots.

(you know who you are)

A lot of the rest of you re dead on.

i kid alot aboot how fat ovechkin is ... he isnt ... but his work habits should be questioned

that being said, I think Alex was caught between 2 minds and playing confused. Boudreau really came onto the scene with no system and let the players play and Ovechkin excelled. Because of playoff disappointment, then he decides to become a disciplinarian and bring a defensive system upon the team ??? Especially a system which no player on the team really understood judging from the way they played. The Caps players were caught between 2 playing cultures or philosophies. ie who are we? what kind of team are we?

It usually happens the other way around in nhl coaching. The coach usually comes in as a hard ass with a defensive system and the players accept it and play it and find their place in it. From there the coach will loosen the reigns and put players in positions where the talent can be exploited. Boudreau did it ass backwards

I think Hunter has a chance to get some real respect right off the bat from Ovechkin as he probably sees it as a fresh start. All Hunter has to do is find out Ovechkin will fit into his scheme. If that means you give him a longer rope than other players, maybe you have to do it. You cant teach other players skill at this level unless a guy is shooting 10000 pucks every summer. You can teach them how to defend though

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

I disagreed with Boudreau's change after the 2010 playoffs because the Caps outplayed Montreal that entire series they just ran into a Jedi goaltender. That style would have done much better in the 2011 playoffs and is the best style for that team, in my opinion.