Bruce Boudreau Performance Review
by Carl Putnam on Aug 19, 2010 3:09 PM EDT
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Disclaimer - This post is not meant to be a referendum on whether or not Bruce should be retained after the coming season if the team doesn't meet some quantified benchmark. Such a discussion would need to weigh a number of factors not dealt with in this post. This is just one person’s review of Bruce Boudreau's performance as coach of the Washington Capitals based on information in the public sphere. I chose seven categories that I felt are the crucial to look at when judging the performance of any professional coach.This was done in broad overview style, like many job performance reviews I've participated in.
Media Skills – 90%
Bruce is engaging, has great one liners (a skill which helps writers immensely), and appears to understand how important working with the media is. His personality is a big asset for the club. His celebrity allows him to be used for PR purposes.
Relationship with Players – 90%
Bruce excels in this area. Players who have played for him in the past almost universally praise him as a coach they enjoyed playing for. He also seems to be able to develop a rapport with players quickly. Goaltenders may be the only ones to disagree slightly.
Player Skill Development– 80%
Bruce does do things to put players in positions to use their skills. Jeff Schultz, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green and have improved tremendously as players during Bruce’s time in DC. Other player’s offensive numbers have also improved steadily while playing for Bruce. Some of this is obviously a result of maturation and playing in an up-tempo offensive system. How much of their improvement is due to BB is open to discussion, but there is no doubt he has played a role. Alexander Semin’s lack of improvement in terms of understanding how to play in the NHL is a big concern. The same could be said for Flash. Certainly the player’s attitude plays the biggest role here. However, it is a coaches job to understand how to motivate players. If they truly feel the guy just refuses to change in a manner that benefits the team then he needs to go to the GM and request that the player be traded, waived, or sent to the minors.
Strategy/Tactics – 80%
Bruce himself has stated that he is stubborn. I don’t disagree with his assessment. I think this trait is both his greatest strength and possibly his greatest weakness. His steadfast belief in his system allows players to buy into it. This system when played correctly is extremely effective and helps the offense and defense. On the other hand, his willingness to change/adjust his overall strategy and in game tactics given the opponents strengths/weaknesses and style of play is a big question mark. His refusal at times to make tactical adjustments to other teams leaves his players in less than ideal situations on the ice. In terms of the special teams, the power play (PP)has seen a huge improvement under Bruce’s guidance. The penalty kill (PK)however has not. Whether or not this is mainly due to the same person still being in charge of it prior to BB’s arrival or not, ultimately the PK is Bruce’s responsibility. I think Bruce's reputation is worse than his actually strategic acumen. I think the category following this one has a lot to do with this.
Accountability/Motivation – 70%
Whether it is excessive ice time, poor on-ice performance, not sticking to the game plan, etc., Bruce has shown a continued unwillingness to discipline players, especially those who are considered "stars" or "major contributors". The only players who seem to be held accountable are 5/6/7 d-men and the goaltenders. In the long run I believe this hurt’s both the players and the coach. In addition, his refusal to publicly take the heat for the recent poor playoff performance shows either a lack of introspection or a stubborn refusal to see a need for changes to be made (see Strategy). Bruce is extremely passionate about the game and his team. It is clear this is helpful in his role as coach. However, his ability to motivate the team and individual players seems to be uneven at times.
Regular Season record - 95%
The team has improved points wise every year under BB. Last year they set a franchise record for points with 121. They finished first in the Eastern Conference and won the President’s Trophy. They have won their division all 3 years he has been coach of the team.
Playoff record– 60%
The team is 1-3 under Boudreau in the playoffs. Even the one series win was not impressive given the Rangers inability to score goals. The Caps game 7 performances mirror the playoff record. The team does not appear to be learning from prior year's playoff experiences. This is especially disconcerting given that "the core" of the roster has stayed intact over BB's three seasons.
Overall score is 81%.
Bruce’s score could easily be higher upon with improvement in just two of the seven areas, strategy and accountability. If he does that I suspect the playoff record category takes care of itself.
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
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Only 27% of NHL teams win a playoff series in a given year (30 teams, 16 make playoffs)
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by red army line on Aug 19, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Alright but so what? All teams are not equal thus you can’t rely on general probabilities so much.
Yeah by year (playoffs) I’d say:
2008: 80%
2009: 50%
2010: 0%
So I guess I’d score him lower than you (60-43). Although we should probably weight the more recent seasons more.
Choking since 1985.
I would start with the fact that he’s only won 1/4 playoff series. I’ll give him the Flyers (neophyte team) and the Pens (they were just better) but the loss against Montreal and the near-loss against NYR have to count heavily against him.
I would go with a failing grade in this category, so I’m comfortable with a 45 – 50.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Not many coaches or players have winning records in the playoffs. Gretzky won it 5 times in 208 games. That’s a 38.5% win rate. BB is 62% win by comparison. Small sample size, yes, so look at Wayne’s 83-86 seasons and in 3 years of making to to the SCF’s and winning twice, 77% win.
I wouldn’t Give BB a super positive one, but nor would I grade him extremely poorly. If I had to go by year: 70%, 75%, 45%. I’d grade him as a 58. Still failing, after all we haven’t made it to the SCF’s yet, but close to passable with mostly last year bringing him down a lot.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Aggregate playoff game win % doesn’t mean much though. It only matters if you win the series. In that regard BB is only 25%.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Aug 20, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Its still separated into regular season and playoff, so it should be based solely on playoffs, and 50% win a series. 60% is a little high in my opinion, seeing as the Caps should have won at least 2 of those series and could have won the other. But then again thats not all Bruce’s fault. Some is the players but he’s gotta get them motivated.
But I agree with everything else, a good review.
That’s fair that you think I was a “little high”. I took into account the opponent’s strength and the matchup issues for the Caps. If the Caps had lost to the Sens in a couple of these series instead of the Pens and Montreal the rating would have been around 40%. A 60% is the number I give for under performing, but not failing.
Thanks.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
Overall, a fair assessment, even though I don’t agree with all the exact points. Actually, during Boudreau’s tenure, I’ve seen an improvement in Semin’s ability to play in the NHL. He’s actually become a significant Plus player instead of a significant minus. (Yes, the improvement of the team helped but his own relative position in that regard also jumped drastically from pre-Boudreau days.) And while he still takes his share of bad penalties, it’s much better than it was when he started out.
Flash is a better player and has improved every year since joining the NHL, including under Boudreau.
Rocking the Red since 1975
The only players who seem to be held accountable are 5/6/7 d-men and the goaltenders.
Plus Eric Fehr.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Spot on, Emily. When someone linked to the old article on the team dinner following the playoff loss to the Pens, one of the things the players noted was how much Eric Fehr would get yelled at.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I wonder if he’s going to decide to put everyone on a shorter leash like he did with Theo 2 playoffs ago. I’m sure there were a bunch of players that people thought “why is bruce giving them another game?”. We’re up 3-2.
What’s the rules again on calling up AHL players during the playoffs?
What’s the rules again on calling up AHL players during the playoffs?
The rule is that if you’re doing that, you’re in serious trouble and you’re probably going to lose
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Aug 19, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
If MP is ready for the playoffs, he’s ready for the regular season. Bring him up for at least 20 games first.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Aug 20, 2010 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I would definitely lower the scores for Strategy, Motivation/Accountability, and Playoffs.
Strategy I would lower it due to the fact that he is stubborn to the extent that he doesn’t make adjustments (or not the right ones) when things clearly aren’t working (Montreal series, the PK all the time).
I knock him for motivation due to the players routinely coming out flat against less skilled opponents, both in the playoffs and regular season. Yes, some of that is on the players. But it’s also on the coach to get them motivated and ready to play.
Finally, he definitely doesn’t even pass 50% for the playoffs as far as I’m concerned. I will note that the Philly and Pitt losses weren’t terrible. But the failure to preform or get the team motivated against the Rangers and Habs is inexcusable.
To me, this is the year Bruce gets to prove whether or not he is the coach that can get the Caps over the hump.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Aug 19, 2010 5:42 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He should get full marks for media relations. He’s Gabby, dammit.
Tic Tac Toe Hockey -- Original Caps Photography For The Fan With Compromised Standards
Jack Hazard Photography
by turnituptoeleven on Aug 19, 2010 6:13 PM EDT reply actions
*media skills
Tic Tac Toe Hockey -- Original Caps Photography For The Fan With Compromised Standards
Jack Hazard Photography
by turnituptoeleven on Aug 19, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Good job CP.
A balanced assessment of Gabby’s strengths and weaknesses.
One thing under the motivation category that I think can be addressed is how this team can come out so utterly flat at times or let up after attaining a big lead in a game. Yes the coaches aren’t the ones on the ice playing the game but I think Gabby can help address that mindset with the team.
Interested in hearing your two cents on how Bruce has handled OV during his tenure . I know you talk about the unwillingness to discipline star players, but do you think Gabby could influence OV at all when it comes to maybe changing strategy when playing against the trap.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
I think Gabbys attitude of “hes the best player in the world for a reason and I’m not going to tell him to do anything different” is cause for concern. He can always get better and its Bruces job to get him there.
I think for the most part BB has done well with his handling of OVi. I think where he’s struggled with Ovi is where he’s struggled with other wingers like Semin & Flash. I think BB’s experience as a player may play a role in how he handles ‘scorers’.
He doesn’t just let Ovi be Ovi. He says that for the press and the public. He certainly says stuff to Alex. The problem is all he seems to do is talk. This goes back to the accountability piece.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
Thanks. Your comments in the OT thread about your eval helped inspire me on this one.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
No prob mate. Glad it helped trigger a well-reasoned fanpost with plenty of food for thought.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
by Rather Bengt on Aug 20, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
If I was going to list Bruce’s problems, there is one main one: stubbornness. He won’t adjust his game plan, and he won’t change his mind on players no matter what the facts show. In the playoffs, Flash should have been off from the start and Laich should have been pulled from PP1 when he showed that he wasn’t going to get in front of the net. No matter how much Flash shows that he is inconsistent and can’t hold up on the 2nd line, BB keeps putting him back there. Then there’s the issue of overplaying Green – which seems to be trusting Green to do far more than one player should be asked to do.
Overall, BB is a good coach. He has brought the Caps to a new level of regular season success and has helped developed a strong young core that should be the foundation of this team for years. The question is, can he lead the Caps to postseason success?
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Sorry to be pedantic...
…but you’re confusing strategy with tactics.
For hockey, I think “strategy” is the overall system the coach puts in place – it’s the method by which you turn your means (players) into ends (winning). Tactics, on the other hand, are how you plan to win one specific game, or even one period within a larger game. Strategically, I think Boudreau’s actually a great coach, and possibly one of the best in the NHL. He has devised a system and overall “plan for winning” that pretty much perfectly matches his means (lots of talented offensive players), to the ways (aggressive offensive system) to achieve the ends (winning – a lot).
Unfortunately, I think he gets worked tactically by guys who are more willing and able to make in-game or in-series adjustments. Worse than that, he doesn’t seem to be outwardly self-critical enough to truly understand how his inflexibility is responsible for the team’s playoff failures. This is where his stubbornness comes into play.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
by D'ohboy on Aug 20, 2010 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Actually, I’m not. I just chose not to use the word ‘tactics’ in the title. If there is confusion I’ve got not problems adding it though. I think your description of the issues is an excellent one.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
OK, based on your comment I chose to re-read what I wrote as well and I think I realize where there could be some confusion. I’m going to edit that section a bit. Thanks for bring it up.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
No worries. This is (quite literally) what I do for a living. :)
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
And obviously not what I do given how I ended the post you replied to. I swear I need a built in “slow down and edit this” alarm.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 20, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I was more referring to the “strategy” stuff, but the writing comes in handy. It turns out that explaining the intricacies of warfare with pantomime is harder than it looks.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Question on ratings
Is a score of, say 90% supposed to mean he’s better than 90% of NHL coaches? Or does 90% mean he gets the equivalent of an “A-”?
In your ratings would 50% be the average score for an NHL coach?
Excellent question. 90% means he gets a low ‘A’.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
Average score would be a 75%, Bruce’s overall score puts him slightly above average.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
In that case I’d make three changes to your scores:
Media – 95% – he’s one of the best in the business
Accountability – I’d drop him to a 65% (barely passing). He hasn’t really accepted any accountability for what happened last spring. There are still too many “hot goalie” excuses and not enough acceptance that he choked and his players choked.
Strategy – 65%. He has the right system in place for the talent on hand, but he has been brutally out-coached in the playoffs the past three seasons. Tactically, he insists on playing regular season hockey during the playoffs, and other teams have exploited that weakness.
Overall, Bruce is a great regular season coach and an awful playoff coach, which slots him in my mind him as a a median coach (albeit with a very high variance).
I’d have little trouble defending your changes in the media and accountability areas. In the strategy/tactics area I think 65% is too low. I think the focus on the playoffs tends to obscure some of the other moves he makes. For example, for the most part I’ve liked how he’s handled the goalies both during the regular and post seasons. He’s adjusted the defensive pairings when changes needed to be made both between games and in-game. I haven’t always agreed with some of his moves, but its not like he’s had the greatest blueline roster in the first place.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 20, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, they all are NHL coaches for a reason. I think it’d be a bit unfair to grade them all on a curve.
If you want content, go to the Copper and Blue. If you want numbers, go to Behind the Net. If you want craziness, go to Pension Plan Puppets. If you want humor, go to Battle of California.If you want discussion, go to Broad Street Hockey. If you want bravery, go to Five For Howling.
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by red army line on Aug 20, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Way too generous
Guess I’m not as high on Gabby as everyone else.
He’s been out-coached in every playoff series of his NHL tenure, the worst being the latest flop against Montreal. I. e.:
- playing Flash games 1 through 6
- leaving Scotty Walker on the bench
- not playing Theo in game 7
- pulling the goalie too early during the final minutes of game 7 (when they had the PP)
I simply don’t trust his ability to make the right decision during crunch time.
This was an overall review, not a review of the MTL series or just the playoffs in general.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 20, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just as a counterpoint, he did have the onions to put in Varly in Game 2 of the Rangers series, a move most here thought was foolish.
Choking since 1985.
by macvechkin on Aug 20, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good detailed assessment. I agree with just about everything you said. Looks like some people think you’ve been too generous but I think when you look back and review all the seasons and consider what Bruce stepped in to, I think your assessment is fair.
Thanks. Most of the complaints I believe are related to the playoffs. Understandable, but I tried to look at his whole body of work.
Changed your license plate yet?
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 20, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d have to go with a 25% in the playoffs. The math is easy, 1 series win out of 4.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
Your opinion. If I went straight off playoff series record I’d have still been higher than 25% as I didn’t expect caps to beat the Flyers. The Flyers had way more playoff experience on their roster and the Caps had been in playoff mode for months. Just going off straight records to judge a coach makes no sense to me. In my opinion, you need to include all of factors that influence win/losses.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 20, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
The Caps under BB won 1 series they should have (although it took them longer than it should have), lost 1 series to a better opponent (taking them to Game 7), lost 1 series to an equal opponent, and lost 1 series they should have won. 25% is ridiculously low and isn’t taking into account who they were playing.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Lost one series that they should have won after:
a) being up 3-1
b) the complete and utter failure of the power play
c) his seeming lack of adjustments after game 4
Won one series, having to go 7 games against a vastly inferior team.
He’s 1-3 in the playoffs. That sucks. Sugarcoating it doesn’t change the fact that his 12-16 record sucks for the talent that he has to coach. To be generous, that record translates to 43%, but I think I’ll stick with 25% based on series wins vs losses.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
I’m not sugarcoating anything – I’m laying out the facts you’re ignoring. He did worse in two series than he should have, better than he should have in one, and lost one that was very evenly matched. There’s no way that’s 25%.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
You have your opinion, I have mine. It is what it is.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
He’s 1-3 in playoff series, that’s a fact.
It’s your opinion on weather or not the Caps should have won the series.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
He’s 13-15 in the playoffs, that’s a fact. 6-8 against teams better than or as good as the Caps, 7-7 against teams that were worse. There’s no way he can reasonably be rated at 25%.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
Unless your rating is based on winning a playoff series. In which case he scores a 25%.
There are multiple ways to frame his playoff success. And using the fact that he is 1-3 in playoff series is a very reasonable one.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Aug 23, 2010 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Basing a rating solely off one statistic while ignoring all the rest is not reasonable.
Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.
The problem with that is that you’re not using anything other than subjective opinion.
"I think he is just a joy to watch, he plays every game like there's not going to be one next week for him, like someone's going to take it away from him next game."
by Bald Pollack on Aug 24, 2010 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it depends on how harsh you want to be. 7-7 against teams worse than your own team isn’t terrible with the parity in the NHL—I mean, you’re not going 14-0, and 10-4 or 9-5 are only a couple of games off.
by red army line on Aug 24, 2010 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not defending the %/score, just saying that poking holes in this argument without much substance isn’t much of a discussion.
"I think he is just a joy to watch, he plays every game like there's not going to be one next week for him, like someone's going to take it away from him next game."
by Bald Pollack on Aug 24, 2010 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I like this assessment.
Mostly because I think as fans we place ALL the responsibility on the coach and not enough on the players.
Now while most of us aren’t privy to the inner-workings of the Capitals locker room and training sessions, I think its unfair to assume that our recent…..infuriating playoff failure is due to BB’s poor coaching. And I know most people here do not place the entire blame on our losses, particularly vs Montreal solely on BB, I am just saying.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
I wonder if the Olympic break might have had some impact on Bruce’s coaching last season. The streak ended just before it, then the team was off for two weeks. Once they came back, they had only three occasions where they were off for two days in a row.
(They played at TB 3/20, with 2 days before Pitt at home 3/24, then at Atlanta 3/25 with 2 days before Calgary at home 3/28, and then at Pitt. 4/6 with 2 days before Atlanta at home 4/9). So I’m wondering if that hindered having practices to address issues that developed while they kept winning.
I think you have a good point about the Olympic break impacting the Caps. Not just concerning Bruce’s coaching but for the team in general.
Between interrupting the momentum (although, granted the Caps lost 3 in a row after The Streak) and all the related emotional baggage. While a short break would have been beneficial, the guys went straight to the Olympics and experienced all the disappointment; etc.
Rocking the Red since 1975
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