Bruce Boudreau and Accountability
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
205 comments
"I'm fairly demanding. I may smile and joke with them, but if they don't do what is needed and necessary, they know they'll have to pay the price." - Bruce Boudreau, 11/07
"One thing you don't need to worry about with Boudreau is accountability. If he doesn't like something, it gets fixed." - Tarik El-Bashir, Washington Post, 10/08
A year ago, Bruce Boudreau was a month away from winning the Jack Adams Trophy as the National Hockey League's best head coach, despite having been in that role for less than one full season.
"Gabby" followed up his award-winning 109-point-paced partial campaign behind the Caps' bench with a 108-point/50-win season, good for fourth-best in the NHL.
Prior to coming to D.C., Boudreau had compiled a .631 points percentage in his previous six full seasons of coaching at the American Hockey League level (which included two appearances - one successful - in that league's finals), and since getting to the bigs, Boudreau's Caps have gone 39-13-15 in one-goal games.
Suffice it to say, Bruce Boudreau knows how to win hockey games.
And while, as the saying goes, "they don't ask 'how,' but rather 'how many'" (which will very soon be "how many in the post-season"), watching Boudreau for the better part of two seasons now, it's hard not to wonder what - if anything - the concept of "accountability" really means to him.
Fresh in our minds is the far-too-long shift length skated by some of the team's star players, an issue that didn't just appear in the playoffs. And yet, when asked specifically about Alexander Ovechkin staying out too long, Boudreau responded, "We'd like to corral him, but what're you gonna do?"
Don't ask us - you're the coach. But perhaps it's worth doing something, because shorter shifts from October through April may leave more in the tank for May and June.
We also watched all season as the Caps committed bad penalties by the bushel, and it contributed to their eventual downfall in the playoffs, as no team has been shorthanded as often or given up as many power-play goals as the Caps did this postseason. And yet when serial offender Alexander Semin took his umpteenth hooking call of the season at a critical point in a late-January game against Detroit, Boudreau let his Russian sniper hear about it between periods, but did little else:
Boudreau said he will continue to implore all of his players to take fewer penalties, but he likely won't hound Semin specifically. It's not his style, he said, and it often proves to be counterproductive.
"His good does outweigh the bad," Boudreau said. "He's a [team-leading] plus 23, and gets a point and half a game. But are you cutting your nose to spite your face by making a real big to-do about it?"
Don't ask us - you're the coach. But perhaps a little nick on the snout in February would pay dividends in May.
And then, of course, there's Tomas Fleischmann, a top-six winger (nominally, at least) who scored precisely two goals in 33 games between mid-January and early April, and yet saw little or any reduction in ice time at even strength or on the power play. Flash's unwillingness to go into high traffic areas remains among the more obvious frustrations for Caps fans, and yet he was often out with the first power-play unit despite Boudreau's insistence that the team needed players to set up shop on top of the crease and make life difficult for opposing goaltenders. The coach was asked about this latter point on get away day:
Q: The Penguins scored a lot of goals on the doorstep; was there a lack of that with your team this season?
A:Sometimes you try to change people. And sometimes they don't want to change. Every team in the NHL would want guys who drive to the net. That's one thing coaches love. But sometimes you have guys who you know are going to play a little bit on the perimeter. It doesn't always work. But they have such great strengths in other areas. What do you do?
Don't ask us - you're the coach. But perhaps cutting the ice time of those who "don't want to change" (especially those who don't have "such great strengths in other areas") will provide the proper incentive to do so.
There are other accountability-related examples from this past season both small (the "accountability" coach excusing his team for obviously playing down to the level of its competition at times; the utilization of Keith Aucoin) and large (when asked about what the team needs to improve next season, Boudreau seemed to pass the responsibility buck to GM George McPhee and the players, saying, "I don't think it's systems. We just have to get them to play the systems a little bit better. They've learned it for a year now. I'm not in charge of the personnel. But we'll see what the personnel looks like next year.") But the bottom line is this: Bruce Boudreau is, for the most part, "a players coach" who favors positive incentives to negative ones as motivation - which is fine (as his record confirms). Let's just be clear on what role "accountability" plays in the Boudreau regime, because despite the rhetoric, it appears to be a very small one.
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Teh awesome. Brilliant. Perfect. Exactly. Why didn’t I read analysis this smart in the WP? (HA!!!!!!!!! I slay me!)
I agree that the issue was clear, and that it was clear back in January or February. It was never addressed. Alleged leaders such as Feds and Clark paraded to the box. Younger guys followed. No punishments were evident: No one-game scratches, no sitting a star for a period, nothing.
Three of the four coaches in the NHL’s final four were midseason replacements. If the Caps and Boudreau don’t solve their accountability problems in the first 60 games next year…
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Excellent post. I did not see the necessary drive from the coaching staff that was necessary from February on to get this team firing on all cylinders. They sputtered along and picked up wins regardless—largely on the back of the first PP unit—but you never got the sense that they were really building a force of a team that could win in a variety of ways. Little surprise, then, that two of THE dominant teams down the stretch in Pittsburgh & Carolina are now playing to come out of the East. They both peaked at the right time and that’s something the Caps will need to learn how to do without first digging themselves a huge hole to climb out of.
by Langway on May 18, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Spot on, JP. Sure hope GMGM and BB see this post.
by cuqui on May 18, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree, lots to be done.
Coach needs to take a look at how he’s doing business. GM needs to do what he can to re-balance this roster (hint, no Fedorov, Kozlov). Leadership torch is ready to be passed, I wish Clark would have the sack to realize this.
But giving BB the benefit of the doubt for a minute…when you have young guys and you truly can’t get them to listen, it’s tough. It’s also time to pick out a scapegoat or two.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the point is that BB should MAKE them listen. Bench ’em. Scratch ’em. Do what it takes to get their attention.
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that would be the scapegoating part.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I totally agree that there’s been no sense of holding people accountable. The high priced, supposed 2nd line center sat in the press box a good portion of the year, Clark was held out of games when he was healthy or at least able to play and other players certainly saw their ice time diminished at various times as a result of poor play. Semin and Ovechkin are not normal cases in my view.
by NBBear on May 18, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nylander was so God-awful that Bruce had no choice. Furthermore, there’s always the “he doesn’t fit my system” excuse to fall back on. As for Clark, he wasn’t actually healthy when he was scratched, since he had been struggling with the wrist problem (albeit undisclosed) since the beginning of the season.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention benching Green for the final period of the season. Obviously, Green needed to simply be off the ice, healing, but BB did at least finally make a judgment call on “one of his guys” and on a budding superstar. Hopefully, that is a prod in the right direction.
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess that was more in response to NBBear, up there.
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Benching an injured Green in the third period of a blowout loss in the last game of the season is accountability? Sorry. No.
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by J.P. on May 18, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What is it, then? Why even bother benching him at all, at that point, if it’s not to say something?
It’s not as if Green’s performance in 7 was noticeably worse than in 4 or 5 or 6. It was either because he could see the pain Green was in, or he finally, finally saw how badly he had been performing.
It may not be “accountability” in the definition we’d like to see it, but it’s not for nothing.
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is it, then? Why even bother benching him at all, at that point, if it’s not to say something?
To protect him from doing further damage to his shoulder in a game that was already lost.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno. Game 7’s when you decide he’s too hurt? When he’s obviously been in the same state all series long?
I think that’s undercutting BB too much, but maybe it’s appropriate.
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure – the third period of a game that’s already lost is when you decide that the risk you’d been running for however many games is no longer worth it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But what difference does the risk make at that point? No matter what happens, he’s got 3 months to get surgery, heal, whatever. Why not simply play him?
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two reasons. One is that he might get more hurt, which could make his rehab take longer, and he could wind up rehabbing all summer instead of rehabbing for a month and adding strength for two. The other is that it probably hurt like hell.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly: what difference does it make to bench him for “accountability” reasons at the end of the final game of the season. that’s (A) not really holding him accountable, since that period was meaningless and (B) not changing the rule of law for superstars, unless you’re talking about next season.
whereas if you have a player that’s out there fighting through an injury, why not give him a rest since the gig is up.
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s not accountability. That’s people SOOO terrible that it’s the most obvious choice in the world to make.
Accountability is taking a guy taking hooking and tripping calls every night and then siting him a video review booth making him watch a highlight clip of every penalty he’s taken for a season until he stops.
by zephyr on May 18, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
One of the big problems is that when the star players play badly, we start losing, so the star players get more ice to turn it around. So: do you bench the star player and almost certainly lose, or keep playing him and give yourself a shot at winning? The team is so talented that I think a loss here and there won’t affect the outcome of the season much. Bench the guy.
by red army line on May 18, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Accountability...
…There are some issues that BB needs to address, but they are issues that can be addressed with the current set of players in the Caps organization. There should be some personnel changes coming in the next few weeks and months, and that will hopefully send a message to some players that they are possibly expendable. Benching or scratching someone may send a message, but there has to be a replacement that can do the job available. If you scratch Flash, there better be someone on the roster (Chris Bourque) who can do the job in his place.
I disagree with letting Fedorov go… he’s not worth $4M, but if he is willing to play for $2.5M, sign him up.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 18, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok…$2.5M maybe…I was hasty on that. But let’s not make this guy out to be someone who we can rely upon to be healthy and be a locker room leader. He’s old – and he’s not.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I mean who is the second line center if Feds goes? I don’t know who can step up and fill that spot as well as he did. I think Nylander el headcase will be one of the most interesting post season developments.
by zephyr on May 18, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Bruce really is the great coach that he’s made out to be, he’ll find something useful for Nylander to do. I realize that Nylander doesn’t fit the system, and that there’s a great deal of water underneath that bridge, but a Jack Adams winner should be able to find a role wherein Nylander can contribute.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup that’s why I think it’s going to be so interesting.
by zephyr on May 18, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if a player isn’t contributing, a great GM should be able to find him another home and get some value in return. We’ll see if either ever happen.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this point, GM’s failure in this regard is a sunk cost. We’re stuck with Nylander barring someone else making a monumental error.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s not forget that for two months last season between when Nylander opted for surgery and we got Fedorov at the deadline, we had the best record in the NHL. Who was the center then? And I think we have to have Gordon and Steckel on different lines, otherwise you waste one of their faceoff prowess.
by red army line on May 18, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you scratch Flash, there better be someone on the roster (Chris Bourque) who can do the job in his place.
I disagree – if you scratch Flash, you want to send a message to Flash. Ideally you have a suitable replacement (shouldn’t be hard to find), but if you don’t, the message is still sent and may even be stronger if you send the message to the team that you’re willing to hurt the team in the immediate short-run to make your point and better them overall (think about it like when Gunnery Sergeant Hartman makes the whole unit bear the brunt of Private Pyle sneaking the donut).
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by J.P. on May 18, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think at some point, Bruce needs to stop coaching like he’s surprised to be here, and start coaching like he belongs here, and that’s one place to start.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh…what is your MAJOR MALFUNCTION private FLEISCHMAN???
Agreed. Maybe you scratch Flash and say, “this spot is now open for competition”.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
[Regarding success]:
What gets lost in all the attention directed to how well teams [play offensively]; however, is the fact that there are other equally important aspects of team play which can be just as predictive in nature as some of the more commonly used measurements of team skill.
One such area that frequently flies under the radar of handicappers involves statistics related to team penalties and as we will explore here, certain types of penalties can be a particularly powerful handicapping tool in the right situations.
I have always found penalties to be an intriguing aspect of the … game and their effect is undeniable—who hasn’t felt the sting of a mistimed penalty that suddenly breathes new life into a [game] that seemed to be over just moments before with a spread victory all but sown up. Inopportune penalties can cost a team a game in the blink of an eye and turn a spread winner into a loser
…
[Certain types of penality are] good yardstick for measuring the quality of a team’s coaching staff and also provides an indication if players are being used in schemes where they are comfortable and have the necessary skills to succeed. It’s no accident that [perennial favorites] have a low [penalty] average year after year while others, [relatively successful teams who play exciting games], rank near the bottom.
Interesting article on Execution Penalties
Caps management is smart. I’m sure they are aware of this and are looking at it. Happy to see we are talking about it too.
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The gist of this isn’t all too different from a FanPost I made back before the playoffs began. My issue with Bruce, then as now, is not just the immediate failings of the team, but rather the failure to learn from their shortcomings/mistakes. Yes, sometimes personnel is a limiting factor, but if the team is showing a lack of propensity to go to the net, and you keep playing Flash instead of Fehr, you get what you deserve.
Lazy stick infractions, lack of traffic in front of the net, strange personnel decisions (Flash vs. Fehr): all of these were discussed ad nauseum on here from early in the season. If we noticed these issues, then the team (and their opponents) noticed them, too. Yet they were never addressed, or they were never addressed adequately. Ultimately, that failure lies at the feet of the coach.
Even more worrisome for Bruce is the degree to which Dan Bylsma (a wet-behind-the-ears rookie coach) completely schooled him in a seven-game series. The Pens spotted certain deficiencies before the series and attacked those deficiencies viciously. They adjusted their attack from period to period. The created problems that the Caps simply didn’t have solutions for. That the Caps stayed in this series is a tribute to the superhuman efforts of Ovechkin and Varlamov. Outside of benching Theo in favor of Varlamov, the coaching staff made precious few adjustments, even when they were clearly called for after Game 3 demonstrated the utter dominance of Pittsburgh’s forecheck versus our breakout.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
eh, give BB Pit’s 6 Dmen and let Bylsma have our 6 and let’s see how that series plays out…
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hal Gill is absolutely atrocious at puck-moving. I don’t need to tell anyone around here how Gonch is prone to the odd boneheaded turnover. Letang was playing hurt. Boucher hasn’t just lost a step, he’s lost several.
Yes, their D thoroughly outplayed ours, but our D’s incompetence came about through a confluence of several factors: 1) Varlamov cannot play the puck whatsoever, 2) Green and Poti were the top puck-movers and both were hurt, 3) Our wings like to start rushing up the ice very, very early in the breakout, 4) Pitt recognized factors 1-3 (and possibly some others) and deduced that an aggressive forecheck – like that employed by NY in game 7 – would cause the Caps fits. It did. We made almost no adjustment. Even a bush-league coach knows that the forwards need to come back and help out, or that the D need to start chipping the puck to center ice and letting the wings skate onto it in order to get the forecheckers to back off. Neither of those things happened. We kept plugging away with virtually the same breakout scheme.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
eh, give BB Pit’s 6 Dmen and let Bylsma have our 6 and let’s see how that series plays out…
disagree.
I actually think talent-wise our D isn’t that far off from theirs’. As I just wrote below, I think execution, discipline, unity and strategy were the difference their D frustrated our offense and our breakout passing the entire series.
by smutsboy1 on May 18, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was also an extraordinarly close-fought series. It’s not like the Penguins dominated the Caps, as much as the last game sticks in our mind more than the previous 6.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really? I thought the Pens pretty easily had the better of the play in each and every game and if not for Varly early, it could’ve been a pretty quick series. Then again, if the team had helped Varly steal Game 3, it could’ve been pretty quick the other way.
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by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Pens were better overall, and I’ll agree that they were better in each game. But I don’t think they dominated. I seem to remember a blog post that the entire MSM stole (usually without credit) about how close the series was in terms of goals. Some of that was luck in the Caps’ favor, but not all of it.
It’s a heuristic — the end result always changes how we perceive the beginning and middle.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Either way, I’ve seen precious few teams dominate the Caps as much as the Pens dominated us in Games 3 and 7. Yeah, the score was worse in Game 4, but we just couldn’t even get out of our own way in Game 3.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The truth here is definitely timeless.
We may need to be a bit less exciting ultimately;,or we can rev the engine with high octane talent for a few years – have some fun – and then reminisce fondly about how ultimately the Great 8 and company supposedly didn’t have what it takes to go all the way.
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could stand to be as exciting as Detriot yes.
Talk about your depth and your hometown discounts too
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Laptop premature dissemination
Detroit is a machine and that feeling we had against Pittsburgh of feeding the machine – the frustration – and the fragmentation of the cohesiveness of our teamplay in Game 7. That’s something they learned from Detroit last year. As frustrating as it can be for the opponent and their fans, it will never be boring for that the team successfully employing that maturity in play or their fans.
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even more worrisome for Bruce is the degree to which Dan Bylsma (a wet-behind-the-ears rookie coach) completely schooled him in a seven-game series
I know I’m nitpicking here but I wouldn’t say Bylsma “completely schooled” Gabby. (Maybe in my book “schooled” is a much stronger term.) While I’ll agree that Bylsma did a better coaching job, it wasn’t by much, AND it was with a team that (in my book) is better than the Penguins team that reached the finals last year.
Sure you can blame Gabby for not adjusting enough, not sitting Flash, etc., but I just don’t think those things would have made much of a difference. Don’t forget, for the most part, the Caps were the same team that lost to the Flyers in the first round last year.
Yes
While I agree with many of your points, I would have to disagree “That the Caps stayed in this series is a tribute to the superhuman efforts of Ovechkin and Varlamov” not only negate the efforts of Backstrom misses the point that Varly gave up softies
While I agree that it looked like Gabby didn’t make as many adjustments following the two loses in Pittsburgh
None of us are on the bench or in the locker rooms so we obviously can’t make a full assessment as to how much better the coaching was
Obviously, there is a limit to how much
Maybe in my book “schooled” is a much stronger term, but Bylsma’s coaching (and don’t forget there’s only a certain amount of coaching that we can notice from the stands) wasn’t so drastically better t
by superjuan on May 18, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow… i guess i forgot to erase a lot of my other crazy rantings in there… oops.
by superjuan on May 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hilarious! we all try to pick just the right words. don’t worry about it.
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know I’m nitpicking here but I wouldn’t say Bylsma "completely schooled" Gabby.
Disagree. I think the Pens execution and tactics were the reason we were badly outplayed most of the series, IMO. And those were due to coaching.
by smutsboy1 on May 18, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t disagree with much of what you said, but I still think in this series, our 6 were thoroughly outplayed by their 6 and that was a large factor in the outcome.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This wasn’t just an issue in this series, though. It’s something that’s been going on all season, dating back to Backstrom getting top lines minutes despite showing up to camp out of shape.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do think, however...
that next year will be a telling one for BB. I like BB, as do most (if not all) of you, and don’t want to see him go, but I have questioned a lot of his decision making in the past couple of months, as so have most of you. If he doesn’t have a stellar year (as well as the Caps, for that matter), I can see him leaving. BB’s had his Calder, now he has to earn his Hart in his 3rd year. However, my hindsight goes like this:
- Varlamov should have been rested Game 4 and played 5 (or 3 and 5, even)
- Green should have been injury scratched
- Semin should have been sat for 1 game at some point for all of his penalties.
- Fedorov should have been punished for his penalties – Semin likely takes notice and curbs his own penalty habit.
- Flash needs fewer minutes – force him to get physical when he’s out there, or he sits.
Ovechkin shorter shifts, yada yada yada. You’ve heard it all before.
But he’s learning, too. I think he’ll realize the need for a tandem in the playoffs. We don’t have a Martin Brodeur who can play 70 in the regular season and another 28. I think he understands that, now. I think he’ll bench Green as soon as he notices how injured he actually is, next time.
Fedorov and Flash are the lost causes, though. Flash was repeatedly less-than-medoicre, and Fedorov is too much of a legend to sit. I don’t think BB ever makes those choices, and I’m afraid that will hurt the team.
But maybe he will. Who knows?
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
But maybe he will. Who knows?
Yep. I anxiously wait to see how BB responds next year.
by smutsboy1 on May 18, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's not forget: Boudreau was within 57 minutes of the Conf Finals...
after Ovie missed that sweet breakaway.
This is not the epic fail of either the Sharks or the Bruins – rather, I think Bruce played ’em the best way he knew how but fully knew their deficiencies.
@JP: I think it is kind of wrong-headed to make this an accountability issue but I do think it’s partly personnel and as Doh claims, lack of adjustments. While Bylsma didnt “school” Bouds my any means, the Pens attack required adjustments that our forwards didnt make. I don’t think it’s coaching, rather, it’s a focus on the forwards parts to get back and play both ways.
by S h a g g y on May 18, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Could that be on the Assistants, too, then? After all, these are the Cassidy/Hanlon asst. group, and we see where their Head Coaches are now. Maybe BB needs to bring in his own people?
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good cop bad cop does let Bruce keep being dad…
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t mind seeing some new blood in the assistant ranks. Kind of like in football, the assistants can be the real ball busters.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ken Campbell hit it out of the park today, as we were discussing in b.orr4’s FanPost.
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by J.P. on May 18, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it is kind of wrong-headed to make this an accountability issue but I do think it’s partly personnel and as Doh claims, lack of adjustments.
At the risk of sounding naive, if they aren’t making adjustments, and post-game pressers are occasionally your coach throwing up his hands in Berra-like resignation or saying they need to learn the system better after a year and a half of very little player turnover, when DOES it become an accountability issue?
by Bald Pollack on May 18, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m not saying the team didn’t go further in the playoffs because of a lack of accountability. I’m saying that accountability doesn’t play a huge role in Boudreau’s coaching philosophy, despite words to the contrary.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
accountability doesn’t play a huge role in Boudreau’s coaching philosophy
PUBLIC accountability doesn’t play a huge role. But I’m not sure there’s really such a lack of accountability in ways we can’t see. I don’t think there could be the success we’ve seen without some accountability in private.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
honest question here: what kind of private accountability are you imagining? playing time and salary figures are the two legitimate avenues (with teeth) to hold players accountable for their actions. otherwise it’s a bunch of talk.
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, locker room coercion can be pretty damned powerful — especially with young players. Just remember — none of us are in the Room.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but the proof is in the pudding! the discipline/focus problems at the beginning of the season = the discipline/focus problems at the end of the season = the discipline/focus problems in the playoffs. (your valid point about semin on the PK duly noted.)
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Amazing run at the end of the regular season in 2008. 2nd place in the east and the Southeast locked up really early in 2009. A consistent ability to coach through significant absences due to injuries. Very effective use of young players, including AHL replacements who really don’t belong in the NHL (or don’t belong here yet). A powerful ability to get the most out of his stars.
I think the pudding looks pretty good for Boudreau — especially when you think hard about the personnel he’s working with.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i do think BB’s voice is heard in the locker room, for all of the reasons you describe. but the discipline he talks about with the press must also be a point of emphasis with the players. maybe it’s just not a high enough priority (in BB’s mind) to dock PT.
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can buy that, to an extent, which is why I was careful to write in the conclusion that it “appears” to play a small role.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and that’s the thing — if he has effective private accountability methods but only pulls out the public ones when he really, really needs to, we’ll never know it.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t this team really, really need to cut back on bad penalties, though? Didn’t Tomas Fleischmann really, really need to be better than he was? Didn’t the entire team need to bring a good effort regardless of opponent’s record and commit to playing “the system” better than it often did?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Anything can be improved. I think you’ve definitely identified the right direction that improvement needs to come from here. I just think it’s worth mentioning the things we take for granted.
And I disagree with the focus on Flash. I think he’s been pretty damned good for his age. He’s a skinny European finesse player in his second NHL season. He’s actually played good defense from time to time. But he’s gotten physically worn down. It happens. Of course he’s not yet “fully baked” as a player. Why would we expect him to be?
I’d give him a better than 50% chance of a long NHL career. I’m not sure I would have said that last year.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I should add — I would have preferred to see more of Fehr and less of Flash at the end of the season. I did think Flash was worn down. But then, so was most of the rest of the team.
One more data point — Nick Backstrom is amazingly mature. Dude is 21 and he is “fully baked” as a player. There’s nothing he can’t do. Boudreau would be the first to give Backstrom himself full credit for his unbelievably rapid development. But Boudreau deserves some of that credit too.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you’re going to say that keying on accountability wrong-headed, why don’t you go through the post pointing out why JP is wrong to raise the issues he raises?
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Long Over due!
1) Long over due questions! Bruce, because of the teams turn around AND his affability has avoided too much criticism/accountability of his own. Yet he deserves some at this point. The PK languished nearly all season. The same mistakes were seen from game 1 to game 7 of the Pens series. Can’t recal any benchings of the ‘impact players’
2) Time will tell, but this team may need more of a disciplinarian to get to the next level.
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on May 18, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think we want Keenan, though.
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OMFG no. I’ll revolt. He’s cancer, and not the good kind.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whats the good kind? LOL
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on May 18, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, none, to normal people ;-)
Nurse: “He’s not himself right now, his uncle has Hodgkins.”
Larry: “Yeah, but it’s the good Hodgkins.”
Nurse: “I didn’t know there was a good Hodgkins.”
Larry: “I’m not saying it’s a great Hodgkins, It’s a good Hodgkins.”
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”
“Only force rules. Force is the first law”
- Adolph Hitler Quotes
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Godwin’s Law apply to hockey blogs? It should.
by Bucky Katt-Luvs Caps on May 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t, but Coughlin’s law does.
by Bald Pollack on May 18, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right, I wasn’t saying Person X = Person Y (demonizing)
I was actually qualifying an earlier post/reference made by another (below).
But when someone adds Coughlin’s Law to a previous reference to Goodwins Law, does that not violate Coughlin’s Law?
(and anything else on this thread for that matter?)
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, Coughlin’s Law is fueled by Coughlin’s Diet, which is fundamentally flawed.
by Bald Pollack on May 18, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Say, does Bruce’s gesture in the picture at the top with this article remind you of any other great offensive minds in history?
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It applies to any electronic threaded discussion. So it applies to Japers’
by zephyr on May 18, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great post! I was screaming about all of the above factors even before the playoffs began. I know it is unpopular here but I would fully support letting go of Boudreau now. Too many problems that have to fall on the coach – lack of discipline, lack of consistent effort, and insanely long shifts.
I agree with Fauxrumors – a disciplinarian is what this team needs.
by desperado on May 18, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For his shortcomings, Boudreau has been very successful everywhere he’s coached, including the NHL level and, like good players, even good coaches have areas they need to improve in. I’d like to see if Boudreau does that next year. If not, it may be time to show him the door.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also think he’s getting a hell of a lot of value out of very young players. I think our expectations may be a little to high here. Take Alex Semin for example — there’s a fine line between “accountability” and “driving him into a sulk.” No other coach has gotten nearly as much out of Semin. I’m not convinced that conventional “accountability” works with that guy. I think Boudreau’s handling of Semin has been genius.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While I tend to disagree here (I can recall another player in the team’s recent past who was handled with kid gloves, lest he sulk), the point I was making in the post is one with which you’d seem to agree – that Bruce doesn’t really do traditional “accountability.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I admit I’m being dumb and probably missing the obvious — who are you thinking of?
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry for the delayed response, but Knee High is right. I think when you start having different rules on accountability for stars and the rest of the team, you’re heading down a very, very bad road.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 19, 2009 6:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that might be true. You never know how a different coach would handle it. It just seemed to me that we never shook any of of the above mentioned problems all year. I fear another regular season where we can win the division on talent alone, then struggle in the discipline and work ethic decided playoffs.
by desperado on May 18, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps someone in between "The Fuhr and a Talk show host? ; )
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on May 18, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You're right, BB's a bum.
Fire him and hire Patrick Roy or someone. The outlook for NHL coaching longevity seems to have become 2-years, max. If you don’t win the cup by then, you’re out and need to be replaced by (1) a disciplinarian or (2) a player’s coach (whichever one you weren’t). Then 2 years later: oops, we need to go the other way.
I’ll give him another year.
by OldPhil on May 18, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who said he’s “a bum” or that he should be fired?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i say it’s probably a bit less than even money that he doesn’t finish the season if the NHL track record plays out.
40% chance he gets whacked by next June?
Not sure. Interesting poll if you ask me.
by Chimaera on May 18, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re not accounting for the folks who would make that decision — Leonsis, Patrick and McPhee. Boudreau ain’t going anywhere soon.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Completely.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't fail...
you just failed to convince me and I got sarcastic…like that never happens here. Probably it’s the overall tone and maybe more the piling on later. It just seems like “let’s find some way to blame someone because they lost.” I’ve been a Caps fan since ‘76 and the last two years have been damn good—yeah, they lost in the 2nd round, 7th game stinker, but I’d say they need a few more (better) players at key positions—so fire McPhee, dammit!.
by OldPhil on May 18, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so you don’t disagree with the post (i.e., that BB preaches but doesn’t practice accountability), you disagree with the entire notion of analyzing BB’s performance?
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No one’s disputing that the team did pretty well and that Boudreau has a very solid track record as a coach. However, those pluses nothwithstanding, he still has areas he can improve in, and this is one.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah…if your system isn’t working you have to change it. I think also that the team next season should experiment with a more defensive system, which can be implemented late in games when they have the lead.
by red army line on May 18, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, dude. Can you read? Or are you comprehension-disabled?
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point of the post isn’t that BB stinks, it’s that he still has areas he needs to improve in.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay - I've heard enough!
The coach will not get fired – capiche? GMGM and Ted LOVE Boudreau and if that isn’t clear to everyone then I don’t know what to tell you.
Boudreau is a good coach who may turn out to be a great coach – but only making/winning the SCF will tell the tale.
But even before the Pens were coming at the Caps in waves and making it 5-0 in game 7, it was up to the D and to some degree the forwards, to shut them down. They failed. Who is their leader? Poti? A skilled player to be sure, and he’s as close at is gets to being a team leader, I think.
The Pens had Orpik and Scuderi- both are hard hitting, vocal, and with seriously underestimated skating abilities, leading by example;
I just dont get the sense that we have that type of shutdown pair.
by S h a g g y on May 18, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dude… seriously… who’s calling for him to be fired right now?
Do you not think there are things he or his staff could be doing better, though?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly, just because someone had areas to improve doesn’t mean they’re not good and vice versa. Hell, look at Ovechkin – he’s the best player in the world, and he still has areas he could stand to improve in.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Bruce is a fallible coach, like everyone not named William Scott (“Scotty”) Bowman. I think he he devoted to his Bear-Caps to a fault. But if your dogs can’t hunt, do you whip them into becoming better? I dont think you can.
We need some personnel changes. They will be subtle, I think – but will be rooted in developing that desire and leadership when the chips are down.
by S h a g g y on May 18, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But if your dogs can’t hunt, do you whip them into becoming better? I dont think you can.
That’s not really the way I see it. Obviously, it’s somewhat different but at the end of the day, Boudreau’s is these guys’ boss and it’s not okay for the boss to say “Yeah, these guys aren’t doing their job, but what are you gonna do?” If you create a system of logical incentives, people will (generally) respond to them – if they don’t they’re not someone you want anyway.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When discussing someone who is underperforming at work, my colleagues generally fall into two camps. Some espouse the “he/she isn’t intellectually capable” point of view and others fall into the “he/she is lazy and/or isn’t trying hard enough” camp. For obvious reasons, it’s important to recognize the distinction because you’ll approach the two situations differently. Your point is well taken though, if someone is given the proper incentives and still doesn’t perform, they shouldn’t be on the team, regardless of the reason. That is, unless they have a NMC.
by Lisita on May 18, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even Bowman only won 9 cups in 30 years. That’s less than 1/3 of the time!
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But if your dogs can’t hunt, do you whip them into becoming better? I dont think you can.
Uh, yeah. You can. Guys who train hunting dogs do it all the time. It’s called, well, training hunting dogs.
If you have a dog that can’t hunt you have two options: 1) train him to hunt, or 2) don’t take him hunting.
by jimmiebjr on May 19, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think the real issue here is that not many people honestly expect him to improve.
We’ve had two great seasons, regular-season-wise, and we all, in the back of our minds, think that it can’t get much better than this. Honestly, you’ve got the coach of the #2 team in the East overworking his goaltender, not realizing the failings of players who get too much ice time (Flash all the time, Green in the playoffs, Feds on D), and who’s not making adjustments to make sure his team wins the game. We all think he should be doing better, but do we all think he can?
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
accountability is a bit overrated if you can get it done in the clutch.
The problem is, the team didn’t. However, if they play 60 minutes of better hockey, are any of us worrying about accountability?
I think it does play into the approach that the team takes nights off and plays down to competition. But some of that is maturity.
He is at least holding them to bag skates at times. I just think it’s a bit hard to go to the whip constantly. When a team doesn’t respond, it isn’t always the coach but sometimes the makeup. As far as the long shift deal, if Ovechkin’s got a chance to score, I think you just grin and bear it. Yeah, you ask him to cut down his shifts, but I would wonder what the numbers are for scoring late in shifts.
by Chimaera on May 18, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
accountability is a bit overrated if you can get it done in the clutch.
this is the perfect thing for me to tell my boss while he strolls by and sees me reading japers.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 18, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
if you get your reports or responsibility done when it counts, it doesn’t matter so much.
Winning is the objective.
Yeah, you would like them to cut down on the dumb stuff. But if they win, I’m ok in however that gets done.
by Chimaera on May 18, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
accountability is a bit overrated if you can get it done in the clutch.
Yes. Absolutely. Winning cures all.
But when the winning doesn’t happen and you look at some of the contributing factors to why it didn’t and some have a common theme and that theme is accountability…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo.
Unless, of course, you’re one of those people who do not appreciate being encouraged/challenged to think about anything more complicated than simplistic, lemming-like “ROCK THE RED!!!!” narratives.
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hope you’re not talking about my narratives, Tyler ;)
by Stephen Pepper on May 18, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL no. I just don’t dig the meme: ‘Lay off Gabby. He’s OUR Gabby.’
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How much of the long shift deal is the forwards getting caught in their D zone for some time and then trying to attack?
by red army line on May 18, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a cogent argument for Bruce being a good coach who doesn’t necessarily hold his players accountable for their poor play and decision-making. Bruce’s statements to the media notwithstanding, withholding playing time is one of the few penalties available to a coach and it’s not evident that he applies this standard consistently across the team. I think it’s a wee bit reactionary to suggest that Bruce should be fired though. One year removed from the Jack Adams, weeks away from managing the team through 350+ man games lost to injury and days from a Game 7 defeat in the 2nd Round is not the time to contemplate changing coaches. Just like players, coaches can learn and improve and Bruce has earned that opportunity.
That said, Ted is always fond of saying that the only way AO will become immortal is if he wins the Cup. Ultimately, Bruce’s record will be judged in the playoffs as well and if the Caps don’t cut it, he’s going to end up in the scrap heap of coaches who were fired because their teams didn’t meet expectations.
by Lisita on May 18, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
But he won the Jack Adams last year and didn’t this year. The trendline is down!
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree that it would reactionary (and uncharacteristic of GMGM) to fire Boudreau right now. However, he needs to be put on notice that the issues that the team seemed unable to cure this past season better not be an issue next.
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on May 18, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What, like in a memo?
“From: GMGM
To: BB
Subject: You.
Bruce, you’re ON NOTICE.
cc: Ted
/
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think GMGM should do it on the Colbert Report
You’re on notice!
by zephyr on May 18, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Where has even a single person here suggested that Bruce be fired right now? C’mon, people – if you don’t read, I won’t write. I’m not afraid to hold commentors accountable! :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, to be fair, in this town *cough*REDSKINS*cough* criticism of the current head coach and discussion of his replacement tend to go hand in hand….:)
by Vickster on May 18, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True. I just thought I called it out clearly enough that I wasn’t out for his head when I wrapped up with:
But the bottom line is this: Bruce Boudreau is, for the most part, “a players coach” who favors positive incentives to negative ones as motivation – which is fine (as his record confirms).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone man…dudeeee just read in between the lines! It’s allll so obvious.
by zephyr on May 18, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my last picture for the day
this could target any number of comments from the thread..
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here:
Great post! I was screaming about all of the above factors even before the playoffs began. I know it is unpopular here but I would fully support letting go of Boudreau now.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh. Nice. Must’ve missed that.
I sit corrected – someone did call for Bruce’s head. Oy.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe there should be a training class on the “reply” button, then? most of the comments are on the far left and seem to be directed at JP’s original post.
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aye. That’s why I was defensive.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Being responsible with your Semin
There is no denying that Semin takes some stupid, lazy, angry penalties. It is frustrating. However, I am not too sure that benching him brings out the best in him as a player. Same with Green. Both guys seem elevate their games when the coach displays confidence in their abilities, which seems to be one of BB’s strengths. The answer might be a new assistant or more effective leadership in the locker room (it is hard to be an effective captain when you are injured, playing like crap, and cannot actually communicate with your underperforming teamate)
In my opinion, Semin’s biggest problem is that his play tails off dramatically when injured, he is dinged up frequently, and ultimately that means he does not play enough.
by CaliCapsFan on May 18, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Don’t his numbers go up as his ice time goes up?
by red army line on May 18, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry: meant as SH time goes up. JP or someone did a post on it, and his PIMs go down, points up.
by red army line on May 18, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup very true. We really saw him play very well when getting some PK time every night. He became a pretty regular part of the PK unit.
I remember reading an interview with him and he said that he always loved killing penalties.
by zephyr on May 18, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The mark of a great leader is to get his or her employees, players, or whatever, to do the things that they don’t like or that they are not comfortable with, to make each person more well-rounded and the company or team stronger. That’s what Bruce needs to start demanding.
In hockey, especially amongst sports, everybody needs to be able to do a litle bit of everything, and right now we’ve got guys who may be motivated to improve and win, but they focus on honing and utilizing just one or two skills, those that they are most comfortable with.
Bruce ought to know, from his own hockey playing career, as well as anyone that this approach just doesn’t work. I hope that he and the rest of the org are thinking about that now, before any other personnel changes (which are also necessary).
by Stephen Pepper on May 18, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Put another way, a well-coached team is far greater than the sum of its parts. And while this goes a bit far afield from the point of this post – accountability – I wonder how much greater this past year’s Caps were than the sum of its parts, especially when more often than not when things weren’t going well, it very closely resembled a bunch of individuals trying to do things on their own rather than a cohesive unit.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think on whole it was better than the sum of its parts and largely because of the system relieving the pressure on a generally underwhelming defense that wouldn’t have otherwise been able to help shoulder the load to a second-best finish in the East. A more conservative approach and they’re probably fighting just to make the playoffs and not building much momentum or confidence. Boudreau deserves credit for this and yet their execution within that system—especially down the stretch—cannot escape Boudreau’s responsibility .
There needs to be a more refined middle ground found in in terms of overall two-way play and that’s not just a recognition that has to come out of the blue from the players. They need to remain aggressive and up-tempo when attacking but the forwards have to be more committed on the back-check and the defense has to be smarter when choosing to step up. Those two areas were issues from February on up until Game 7 vs. Pittsburgh and yet they never really seemed to wise up as a group mentally (and that’s aside from the more glaring penchant for undisciplined penalties).
Players making the same mental errors leads to stagnation and, perhaps ultimately, regression. That’s the more alarming thing with their play down the stretch…the lack of apparent development within the confines of the system. It would seem to me that harder, crisper practices that more closely simulate game action are in order along with much more overall attention to detail. Instead complacency seemed to set in and when that happens in pro sports you’re usually just trying to hold on instead of putting in the work to take the next step. Push push push needs to be the message from the coaching staff or else the players are naturally going to slack off.
by Langway on May 18, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alex Semin killed penalties effectively this year.
I rest my case.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
- The jury claps while the judge, bewildered and humbled, bangs his gavel and steps down, holding back tears. *
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a great point. Long before Bruce used Semin on the PK, Tyler and I would talk about how it would be great for Boudreau to throw him out on the PK as a way of saying, “Everyone on this team plays D and you’re going to too.” It’s turned out better than we’d even imagined.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know, it’s just not that long ago that the “lottery numbers” would have been the Caps’ draft pick…
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
During his first practice as an NHL coach, Boudreau famously stopped a drill and gave Ovechkin and a tongue lashing to enstill “I’m the boss here” and to show if he’d go after Ovechkin that obviously no one is immune.
Obviously as a career minor league coach (to that point) he needed to do something to establish himself in front of the players, I realize that was a huge part of it, but that’s miles away from the quote: “’We’d like to corral him, but what’re you gonna do?’”, isn’t it?
And be careful what you wish for style-wise….Too much “accountability” or the more old-school style tends to discourage the aggressive free-skating nature that fits the Caps the best. I’m sure I don’t have to remind how Mike Green isn’t Mike Green in a restrictive system that doesn’t allow for that much creativity.
Accountability usually is hand in hand with the structure which restricts the creativity. It’s definitely a fine-line to tread. Not enough may be the Caps this season, too strict a taskmasker turns into Michel Therrien-led Penguins…It will be interesting to see how Boudreau adjusts his own style.
by Hooks Orpik on May 18, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed, it’s definitely a fine line. Either extreme is destructive.
That said, Therrien did get your team to the SCF last year, invaluable experience which is serving them quite well right now.
The current Caps still haven’t figured out what it takes to make it through 2 rounds.
by Stephen Pepper on May 18, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You could make the case the team barely figured out what it takes to get to two playoff rounds, but that’s another topic for another time.
by Bald Pollack on May 18, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ever since JP first told me about this post that’s been the dominant memory in my mind: The first BB practice. Glad to see I’m not the only one who’s thought of that.
I think 52 has played at his level, except for the DOG calls, which got silly. It’s the forwards on this team who have, er, not been accountable for their PIMs, etc.
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another discussion for another time, but DoG calls have got to go. They’re bullshit penalties.
by DrinkingPartner on May 18, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think 52 has played above a level that any other coach would have gotten from him. I think 52 required completely unconventional coaching because he’s such a nonconventional guy (both personally and as a hockey player).
I think Boudreau struggles most with the “normal” guys. I think he’s a genius with the stars.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
from everything we’ve seen, this is right on. (although green’s style of play also seems the perfect match for BB’s style of play.)
i wonder whether the same could be said about a star goalie, though. no way to know as of yet.
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s on my personal wait-and-see list for next season.
“I’m afraid to talk to him and mess him up” is an interesting approach to dealing with one of your players
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i wonder whether the same could be said about a star goalie, though. no way to know as of yet.
I dipped my toe in the water on this before Game 3, based on public comments and past history, and if that position is indicative, then some adjusting should be in order.
by Bald Pollack on May 18, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Boudreau knows a damned thing about coaching goalies.
I think the Caps are damned lucky to have Dave Prior.
I think Boudreau does with goalies what Prior tells him to do.
by Gould Old Days on May 18, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you want a goalie to be weird and mental make him wonder why you don’t talk to him before every game, or when you’re on a winning streak, or when you make a mistake, or when you do something well…
by Icebat on May 18, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
except when dave prior told him to go with theo in game 2.
by Natty Bumppo on May 18, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that. It certainly appears, at least in the regular season, the ability of Semin, Ovie, and Green was pretty maximized.
by desperado on May 18, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the perfect solution is to get an assistant coach who can be the red-ass, but what do I know?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The red-ass? You mean a guy who bottoms at the Eagle? Is ‘red-ass’ Canadian for ‘hard-ass?’ (That would be a guy who’s bottomed a LOT at the Eagle!)
by TylerG on May 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Something like that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 18, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
By the way, Happy Victoria Day (a/k/a May Two-Four) to you Canadians out there.
Wish this were still the weekend for me!
by Stephen Pepper on May 18, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ass. Wouldn’t you know it, really want to post on this topic, and I’ve been up to my eyeballs with work.
Hopefully I’ll have some time this evening to write up my notes from the Hershey “scouting trip” this weekend.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You better. I’ve been holding off giving you crap after every one of your posts asking where the scouting was. :)
by HateOffSeason on May 18, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, break in the action:
Here’s my take on the accountability thing now that I’ve had some time to think about it: like any decent manager, Bruce doesn’t treat all of his employees the same. At first, you might look at that and think, “that can’t be a good manager, he’s not being fair!” However, if a boss treated everyone in his office the same way every day, chances are that half of the office would go home in tears, and the other half would think they were getting away with something.
The point is that people react in different ways to coaching and management. Bruce spoke often about Flash’s confidence and how, when it was up, he was up, but when it was down. . . well. Yeah. The same thing goes for Green. How many times this post-season did he discuss how much pressure Green put on himself? How many times did he talk about how Green was his own worst critic? To me, that doesn’t sound like a player who would respond very well to a benching or a demotion.
I’m not saying his management was perfect, and I definitely count myself in the group who was frustrated with some of his, shall we say, less strict tendencies. That being said, I’d be pretty upset if this team fired Bruce and brought in Bob Hartley tomorow. Most of my frustrations with Bruce come from a lack of tactical adjustments during the game, as opposed to his roster management (with some obvious exceptions). I thought that the Penguins out-scouted and out-gameplanned us, and I find that more disconcerting than the lack of accountability. Moreover, while accountability is technically the purview of the coach, these are professional, adult hockey players getting paid millions of dollars. Not only should accountability come from within the room for that reason, but also because as many GMs and pundits have pointed out, it’s always easier to fire one guy than it is to fire twenty.
by D'ohboy on May 18, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The coach does not produce the roster - he manages the hand he is dealt
Boudreau has done remarkably well with the lack of defensive talent on the Caps. I think his tenure here and in Hershey defines him as a "players coach’. Don’t confuse that for a coach who is easy on his players either.
Now that we have the actual facts of the injured players in the second round, we were probably lucky to take it to 7 games.
by Dougeb on May 18, 2009 7:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Obviously the coach doesn’t make the personnel decisions, but I don’t think anyone is saying “This team had the talent to be a Cup frontrunner and Boudreau screwed it up!”. For the most part what we (including the original post) are saying is that Boudreau hasn’t been all that effective at holding guys accountable, something that he could stand to improve.
The team has pretty good defensive talent, though, and the addition of another top four guy would really solidify things.
by David M. Getz on May 18, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Throughout the season, the folks around me at the game and I keep questioning the length of the shifts for Ovie and Green and how long the first poweplay unit would be out there. During the playoffs, we could see that something was clearly wrong with Green and questioned why was he playing so many minutes. I really thought that Theo and Varly were going to split Games 5 and 6, at least to give Varly a break. As fans, we can always question decisions after they are made, but hopefully, the coaching staff will learn for next year (but I am hoping that the assistant responsible for the defense is replaced so maybe the d will finally clear the crease on a consistent basis.)
by NovaCath on May 18, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The other side of the coin of accountability is expectations, as in, “if you don’t fulfill expectations, you will be held accountable (or not).”
I think of that when I think back to Game 7 of the Hurricanes/Bruins series. That should be mandatory viewing. Watch the Hurricanes. They are not the biggest team in the league (actually, the Caps are), and they don’t have a reputation of being a grinding sort of team, but they battled, fought, and scratched along all 200 feet of boards on both sides of the ice with the Bruins in that game. To a man, they stepped outside of what might have been their comfort level to do what it took to win a Game 7.
For whatever reason, the Caps did not do that in Game 7 against the Penguins, and it really wasn’t the first time they were guilty of that shortcoming (they were like that for much of Game 7 against the Rangers, too). The point is that doing whatever it takes is an expectation at this time of year. It is arguable an expectation for the other six months, too. There weren’t a lot of instances this year in which Caps stepped out of their comfort zone, preferring to rely on skill and talent, rather than grit and hard work.
The complaint about the Caps is that their top-six don’t have the hockey DNA to stick their nose into dirty areas (unless you include Brooks Laich, but for a guy who needs to make a living doing that sort of thing, he needs to do it more, too). Well, why? The days of tolerating it are at an end, because if the same guys are tolerated to play the same style they played this year, we will see the same result next year.
Part of this is personnel — the Caps need a real power forward and don’t have one. But there needs to be more effort among guys who are getting lots of minutes to earn goals, not just rely on style. And, perhaps even more important, there needs to be more effort at making opponents earn their way up ice. The difference between the Caps and the Penguins in this regard was stark and unflattering to the Caps. Fighting for puck possession should be an expectation. Sticking one’s nose into traffic to earn a scoring opportunity should be an expectation. Playing 200 feet and not taking shifts off should be an expectation. The teams that do it — either by instinct, or by realizing they have to, to survive — are still playing. If those expectations aren’t met, then there needs to be a measure of accountability.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on May 18, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Damn Peerless, why you gotta come in at the end of the thread and shame us all with a nice eloquent sum up like that?
I guess the real question is what Boudreau is supposed to do when he tells players what they need to do and they don’t do it. It comes down to the quotes that JP pulled so effectively — Boudreau is mystified and so are the rest of us. Why can’t these guys just elevate themselves, pull themselves out of their comfort zone (hat tip to Pepper’s great post in the middle of the thread) and do what all of us can see they need to do?
What gives the Hurricanes the audacity to think they can? What gave Mike Green the audacity to think he could set a new NHL record? And what can a coach, any coach, really do to motivate grown men who are already the top 99th percentile in the world at their profession?
Winning a championship is hard. Only one team gets to do it every year. This wasn’t the Caps’ year. There are lots of reasons. Personnel. Coaching. Luck. Injuries. Bad calls. Immaturity. I think the biggest lesson is that to win it all, nearly everything has to break your way. It’s humbling. I’m glad I’m not in a profession where only one out of thirty taste real success every year.
by Gould Old Days on May 19, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
- on my wish list is that Semin is traded for two good players sometime this summer.
uhh...uhh...uhh...
by hotdog88gt on May 19, 2009 4:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I seriously hope not.
Whenever Ovechkin’s off his game (even if just slightly), Semin’s hot. Look at the recent Round 1. Both are equally formidable (albeit in different manners).
I say Semin stays.
by localhead on May 19, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hindsight is 20-20
Folks — if we’d made won game 7, or even made a better effort (getting to overtime), would we be having this discussion? We made it to seven games in round 2 in the second year of Boudreau’s tenure. We’re one of 26 teams who have started their summer in May. IIRC, we still have the highest scoring forward and highest scoring defenseman in the league.
I suspect that BB has thought of all of these things, and probably said all of them at one time or another. But the team was young, and, until game seven, getting adequate results, without listening all of the time. As BB has said, coaching is a bit like parenting. And part of parenting is allowing children to make mistakes and think about the consequences. I’m guessing the players will be a lot more receptive when they get to training camp, so let’s chill a little here. It could be worse — check out the Nats for exhibit A.
by arl2 on May 19, 2009 8:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Folks — if we’d made won game 7, or even made a better effort (getting to overtime), would we be having this discussion?
Yes – I’d been planning it for the offseason for a long time, win or lose.
And we’re all (well, most of us) perfectly chill.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 19, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the pool the Caps have chosen to swim in
It’s all in what you expect. San Jose went three years running without advancing past the second round, despite averaging 48 wins a year. It cost Ron Wilson his job.
Think the Detroit Red Wings would look at a Conference semi-final as the limit of expectations for their club?
Pittsburgh went to a Stanley Cup final last year… and fired their coach this year. They have the look of a club that will reach their second consecutive final.
This is the pond in which the Capitals wish to swim? It comes with high expectations. Bruce Boudreau has done some great things with this club, and he certainly has the talent, based on his resume, to do such things with this club. But no one at this level can have it both ways — not players, not coaches, not management, not ownership. Players who think, “oh, I’ve done well enough” are probably not long for an elite team. Coaches who think, “oh, the second round is good enough” are probably looking for work before too long with teams who have that attitude. Managers who think, “our roster is good enough” might end up being studio analysts before too long. And owners who think, “we did pretty well” end up seeing empty seats creeping back before too many seasons turn over.
It’s not all rock videos, rockin’ the red, and mohawks. If you aspire to being a perennial Stanley Cup contender, you take ownership of all the baggage that comes along with it in terms of expectations on the ice. And if you fail to meet expectations? Sooner or later, you — player, coach, manager, owner — will be held accountable.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on May 19, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Preach it, brother P.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 19, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One thing that bothers me about the idea of accountability is that there are 30 teams and only one team gets the Cup. I don’t think it automatically makes the other 29 teams accountable for their failures.
Not only that, but also, one can’t continue climbing the mountain forever, nor can one hog the peak for all eternity. There eventually comes the downward slope to contend with.
I can understand discussing the responsibility to live up to franchise expectations in terms of expenditures versus ROIs, but because another team happens to be peaking in performance (looks askance at the Pens) doesn’t mean we have got to go all the way back to the drawing board.
by localhead on May 19, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is where I put on my “Long Suffering Caps Fan (LSCF)” hat…
In 34 seasons, this franchise has made the playoffs 20 times.
In 20 playoff seasons, they have advanced past the second round…
…twice.
This team has done nothing more than a lot of underachieving Caps teams have done…they made it to the second round (the seventh such team to do it in franchise history — not a long tradition of success in such things).
One could argue that the Caps have never scaled a mountain. They have wandered to the top of a hill…occasionally.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on May 19, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All great mountain ranges are surrounded by foothills.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 19, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To clarify, I’m not talking about accountability for losing in the 2nd round – I’m talking about individual, personal accountability for play and actions during the season.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 19, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It starts at the top, and I love the approach Leonsis and McPhee have to their own accountability. They talk in terms of a plan. They give milestones. They’re about a year ahead on that plan.
It takes a lot of courage to put that kind of plan out there publicly, so everyone can judge you against your own expectations.
by Gould Old Days on May 19, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I have very little problem with the accountability/responsibility taken for the post-season failure (for lack of a better word, and in many ways it was a success), other than that Boudreau “systems” quote… it bothers me a tiny bit. But I’ll get over it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 19, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think anyone is suggesting the team go back to the drawing board – rather, just highlighting an area the coach could stand to improve.
by David M. Getz on May 19, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you could stand to improve, then that means you failed. If you failed you should be fired. Thus, BB supporters should resist any implication that he may have room for improvement at all costs.
/GOP’d.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 19, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think it’s all part of a piece. Accountability in the individual parts and among the individual pieces adds up. One might expect a team to realize playoff success, but it isn’t a switch to be flicked on when the second week of April comes rolling around. If it isn’t ingrained from the first week of October, you get a lot of second round exits in the playoffs.
I wrote something about taking the long view, that even among the elite in this league, there is that last hurdle to clear between becoming good and becoming a perennial contender. I still believe that. But it is upsetting to watch bad habits take hold during a season with some sort of assumption along the lines of, “oh, we’ll be ready for the playoffs.”
Things just don’t work that way, any more than taking the semester off with an idea that, “oh, I’ll cram for the final” results in a good grade.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on May 19, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Things just don’t work that way, any more than taking the semester off with an idea that, "oh, I’ll cram for the final" results in a good grade.
Wanna bet? That strategy hasn’t failed me yet. Put me on the Caps!
by Fehr and Balanced on May 19, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does this not all magnify Ovechkin's contributions even more?
Their captain was hurt the entire season; Green, Feds and Semin were hurt for long stretches. Who carried the team, who was always there to pick them up?
It’s been a one man show for too long, I think. That is a crass generalization but I think it hits home.
And so why should we be surprised with Ken Campbell’s marvelous observations of the Caps trying to fight through the second round as individuals, instead of a team? They are not fighting as a team: Ovie puts the team on his back – he might as well have been named “Atlas”.
by S h a g g y on May 19, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ovechkin wasn’t exactly our Atlas in Round 1 (and against the Rangers, to boot). He had less goals and more penalties than Semin in that series. But I get your point about the lack of cohesion and the slight tendency towards heroics. Ah, well, he’s still the most lovable player for so many reasons.
by localhead on May 19, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Considering how well AO played in the playoffs, and how little support he got from the rest of the team, can we possibly cut BB a little bit of slack for how much ice he gave AO, including the shift lengths? Yeah, he could have given him the same ice time with a greater number of shorter shifts, but AO produced. I think it would be hard to make the case that AO’s ice time or shift length really held him back, especially v. PIT. Of all the things BB is getting heat for, this is the one that bothers me least. AO is a momentum swing waiting to happen, so I have no problem riding him (especially when so many of his teammates look uninspired).
by Fehr and Balanced on May 19, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
71 | 47 | 14 | 10 | 104 |
|
Atlanta
|
70 | 30 | 29 | 11 | 71 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
70 | 28 | 30 | 12 | 68 |
|
Florida
|
69 | 28 | 30 | 11 | 67 |
|
Carolina
|
70 | 29 | 33 | 8 | 66 |
(updated 3.20.2010 at 8:14 AM EDT)
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