Walton: "I've seen plenty of clutch performances by Boudreau-coached clubs."

by Stephen Pepper on Aug 15, 2011 11:30 AM EDT in Japers' Rink Radio

The new Director of Broadcasting for the Washington Capitals, John Walton, has spent quite a lot of time with Caps' bench boss Bruce Boudreau over the years, and witnessed first-hand a dramatic rise in the fortunes of the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears, and not too many lows, under Gabby's command of the Bears. Given his unique perspective, we asked John on our latest episode of Japers' Rink Radio about Boudreau's reputation as a "players' coach" (and specifically whether he might be "too chummy" with the team), his ability to make adjustments at the highest level and, ultimately, whether he can be the coach to deliver a championship to Washington, and not just "set the table."

His thoughts on Boudreau's system tinkering from our chat last Saturday:

The one thing that Bruce Boudreau is so good at, in my mind, are the adjustments to the game. Coaching is, at its core, it's communication. [In reference to the switch to a more defensively-focused system last December], that's a difficult thing to do midstream . . . a lot of people at the NHL level that I talked to last year say 'It's amazing to see a team change that much when it didn't involve a coaching change.' That was a quote that I heard from a number of people, and I think that speaks to Bruce's strength about being able to communicate with his players about what he wants to see.

On many Caps' players redoubling their summer workout efforts:

You just have a feeling in the air that says, 'Ok, last year was disappointing and the year before didn't go the way we wanted,' but you see guys ramping up already. It's funny, we talked at the opening of the interview today about, 'Hey it's hockey in August,' and maybe for some people, they're not quite thinking in hockey terms yet. But the principals in play here are.

Listen to our entire interview with the new play-by-play voice of your Capitals for his thoughts on these questions, which of the Caps' two young goalies he prefers, Mathieu Perreault's future, and much more here.

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The show won't play

Maybe the admins blocked me, but I got an error #2032

"Can you smell what the Arnott is Cooking?"

by TheFuryUnleashed on Aug 15, 2011 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

If you have access to I-tunes, it’s in the Podcast section.

"I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." - Michal Neuvirth, 02.06.11.

by bagace on Aug 15, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Apologies, but works fine from my computer (starts with an ad).

by Stephen Pepper on Aug 15, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Great show and perfect JRR return. I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to Walton, but after this interview I really can’t wait. He handled the question about which goalie had more potential quite adeptly—a Sophie’s choice moment but then went on to discuss the strengths of both without making a choice.

The first quote you highlighted about Bruce also jumped out at me. Got me musing about Bruce and what we outsiders really know.

"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7

by capsyoungguns on Aug 15, 2011 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Walton was great in that interview, but then he’s always been the type of guy who when you ask a question, you get an exncyclopedia in response. I think part of the reason is the John’s been hosting his own podcasts for quite a while and he knows what listeners want to hear. The one thing I didn’t like about Kolbe was that he seemed to become a company man and give these stock answers that really never offered much insight. Walton wasn’t that way in Hershey. Who knows if he’ll change now that he’s in the bigs, but we can hope.

by b.orr4 on Aug 15, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

The one thing that Bruce Boudreau is so good at, in my mind, are the adjustments to the game.

I have to question this guys judgment right out of the gate.

It isn’t even anger-inducing. It does not seem to be worth that kind of emotional investment. It might not even be disappointing any more. It is expected.

-Peerless 5.6.2011

by macvechkin on Aug 15, 2011 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

His in-game adjustments are often really good. He just hasn’t shown the ability to make adjustments for series of games.

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.

by breaklance on Aug 15, 2011 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Really? Last I checked his in-game adjustments consisted of scrambling the lines and yelling f*** a lot.

by Murshawursha on Aug 15, 2011 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Haven’t you seen how good he is at switching up the PP when it’s not working in a game?

I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."

by Steckel Me Elmo on Aug 15, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions