Just over a week ago the Boston Bruins fired Claude Julien. With the Patriots in their offseason, and the Bruins new regime having three games under their belts, here are my thoughts.
JULIEN- The timing of the firing and press conference was pretty lame. While I wanted him gone years ago, doing it the day of the parade was weak. Him getting hired by Montreal is pretty funny. My sympathy goes out to Michel Therrien. Sitting in first place in your division only to get replaced by Claude Julien, the second time Montreal has made this exact coaching move.
BRUCE CASSIDY- Imagine this- a coach wanting to play to his players' strengths and not just some system. Wow, what a brilliant idea. While it's great to have players who can do a little of everything, it's damn near impossible to win using a system where you are dependent on having the bulk of your players play out of their comfort zone. If you don't believe me, look not further than the Patriots. At the end of the 2013 season and the beginning of the 2014 season, it looked like the G.O.A.T. was done. While we can now look back at that and laugh, a big reason for his struggles were in my opinion caused by Josh McDaniels calling plays which weren't to Brady or his teammates' strengths. Once McDaniels stopped trying to make a great football call and instead made a great call based on the personnel, the team went right back to their winning ways.
SINCE THE CHANGE- It's only been three games, I know. Any time a coach is fired the team plays better initially, I know. Nevertheless, three wins in a row is still worthy of note. Outscoring our opponents 14-6? Taking a lead with 2 minutes left to a game and holding on to deny Vancouver any points in the standings? Shutting out the Canadiens? Shutting out opponents on 10 of 11 power play opportunities? Yes, it's just three games, but I like what I'm seeing out there. Much more skating and a lot less standing in front of the goaltender hoping to deflect a puck or blocking the view of the goalie. It seams like the only time we get in the way of a goalie stopping a puck is when we are in front of our own net.
SINCE THE CHANGE- It's only been three games, I know. Any time a coach is fired the team plays better initially, I know. Nevertheless, three wins in a row is still worthy of note. Outscoring our opponents 14-6? Taking a lead with 2 minutes left to a game and holding on to deny Vancouver any points in the standings? Shutting out the Canadiens? Shutting out opponents on 10 of 11 power play opportunities? Yes, it's just three games, but I like what I'm seeing out there. Much more skating and a lot less standing in front of the goaltender hoping to deflect a puck or blocking the view of the goalie. It seams like the only time we get in the way of a goalie stopping a puck is when we are in front of our own net.
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