I will be terribly disappointed in Nill if Gulutzan is the head coach. Either Graham or Mahlhotra would be better choices. Any Pee-Wee coach would have successful power plays with McDavid and Draisaitl on PP1.
I really thought Gulutzan's explanation of Road Hockey was an encouraging bit of progress to hear about. I think he's likely a better coach than he's getting credit for.
Maybe this is a naive opinion given I’ve only been following the Stars for a few years so can’t comment on Gulutzan’s tenure, but I feel like Nill hiring him back despite the optics would be the ultimate vote of confidence in his development and ability as a coach
I wrote about it the other day, but Nill knows full well how Gulutzan's first tenure went. And he knows how important it is not to take a step backward. This coaching hire is absolutely critical for them to get right.
My opinion is different. It is not a good system when the D leaves the G to make incredible saves time after time, based on the system’s positioning requirements—being man-to-man.
This playoff season in particular, we won the first two rounds because of Rantanen and Oettinger, respectively. The team was not doing well the last ~10 games of the regular season and it carried over into the playoffs.
Additionally, we have been told the AHL coach follows what the NHL coach wants to do—not the other way around. So perhaps Graham has his own way he’d implement.
They don't do that by design, though. It's actually a system that is supposed to protect the high scoring areas while giving up more shots from the points and other non-dangerous areas. It doesn't work when defensemen get caught puck watching or puck chasing instead.
If you see a defenseman defending near the point in his own defensive zone, that's a mistake in anyone's system. The wingers are supposed to man the points in the defensive zone, while the center is supposed to help with the two defensemen.
If it’s not Gulutzan and the choice is a first-time NHL head coach like Graham or Malhotra, I am very curious as to whether Nill will include veteran player leadership in the process. On one hand, it is Nill’s decision and you don’t let players decide on who their coach is, but also, do you risk bringing in a rookie coach who doesn’t have the support of guys like Benn or Duchene? It sounds as if Nill carries a lot of credibility in that locker room but he’s gonna need veterans help ease the way for a young coach to find his voice and take control of the group. Fascinating to think about?
This coaching search is not going as well as you would think for a team that has finished in the top 4 of all NHL teams for 3 straight years. Really, the best coach out there who is available is the one whom they fired. And I'm not sure that anyone else out there is all that close to him. I'm not criticizing the decision to fire him; he threw the franchise goalie under the bus and lost the team and I don't know that he could ever fix that. But still, there just isn't anyone else out there that I think can do as good a job with this team.
I mean, he certainly will have interviewed candidates we'll never hear about. He interviewed a European coach three years ago before hiring DeBoer, after all.
I totally get some of the skepticism about the candidates named so far, but I think he's more open-minded than most GMs in the league these days, even if that's not the highest bar to clear. And frankly, even considering a former Stars coach like Gulutzan knowing full well how it didn't work out the first time is more bold than most.
I will be terribly disappointed in Nill if Gulutzan is the head coach. Either Graham or Mahlhotra would be better choices. Any Pee-Wee coach would have successful power plays with McDavid and Draisaitl on PP1.
I really thought Gulutzan's explanation of Road Hockey was an encouraging bit of progress to hear about. I think he's likely a better coach than he's getting credit for.
I wasn't that impressed by that segment, but maybe that's just me.
Fair enough.
Maybe this is a naive opinion given I’ve only been following the Stars for a few years so can’t comment on Gulutzan’s tenure, but I feel like Nill hiring him back despite the optics would be the ultimate vote of confidence in his development and ability as a coach
I wrote about it the other day, but Nill knows full well how Gulutzan's first tenure went. And he knows how important it is not to take a step backward. This coaching hire is absolutely critical for them to get right.
I see Graham as probably bringing a continuation of PDBs offensive (and defensive if Nas is back coaching d).
And, perhaps Gulutzan will bring new perspectives and change up the strategies and tactics???
Not sure which is best… keeping almost good enough systems??? Or a new coach that roles the dice and tries new systems?
Glad I’m not making that decision:))).
I would lean with keeping the same system if they can. It's a good system! Especially if you have a healthy defense group that can move the puck.
My opinion is different. It is not a good system when the D leaves the G to make incredible saves time after time, based on the system’s positioning requirements—being man-to-man.
This playoff season in particular, we won the first two rounds because of Rantanen and Oettinger, respectively. The team was not doing well the last ~10 games of the regular season and it carried over into the playoffs.
Additionally, we have been told the AHL coach follows what the NHL coach wants to do—not the other way around. So perhaps Graham has his own way he’d implement.
We shall see.
They don't do that by design, though. It's actually a system that is supposed to protect the high scoring areas while giving up more shots from the points and other non-dangerous areas. It doesn't work when defensemen get caught puck watching or puck chasing instead.
I disagree with your assessment of the system. Because of the man coverage, if you watch closely you can see—many times—the D at the point (!!)
That is far from the more important place they should be defending: the blue paint area.
Perhaps if you have mobile D all throughout that system works better. I feel the roster construction vs. the system were not aligned.
Let’s hope the next coach goes back to the tried and true. Cheers!
If you see a defenseman defending near the point in his own defensive zone, that's a mistake in anyone's system. The wingers are supposed to man the points in the defensive zone, while the center is supposed to help with the two defensemen.
Not in DeBoer’s system. That is the design. That is the downside of the man coverage scheme.
In any case, I’m ready for Gully to bring a new perspective. Have a good Sunday!
If it’s not Gulutzan and the choice is a first-time NHL head coach like Graham or Malhotra, I am very curious as to whether Nill will include veteran player leadership in the process. On one hand, it is Nill’s decision and you don’t let players decide on who their coach is, but also, do you risk bringing in a rookie coach who doesn’t have the support of guys like Benn or Duchene? It sounds as if Nill carries a lot of credibility in that locker room but he’s gonna need veterans help ease the way for a young coach to find his voice and take control of the group. Fascinating to think about?
This coaching search is not going as well as you would think for a team that has finished in the top 4 of all NHL teams for 3 straight years. Really, the best coach out there who is available is the one whom they fired. And I'm not sure that anyone else out there is all that close to him. I'm not criticizing the decision to fire him; he threw the franchise goalie under the bus and lost the team and I don't know that he could ever fix that. But still, there just isn't anyone else out there that I think can do as good a job with this team.
Remember Jim Nill said the search would be “very wide” and he’ll be “open minded”… lol.
I mean, he certainly will have interviewed candidates we'll never hear about. He interviewed a European coach three years ago before hiring DeBoer, after all.
I totally get some of the skepticism about the candidates named so far, but I think he's more open-minded than most GMs in the league these days, even if that's not the highest bar to clear. And frankly, even considering a former Stars coach like Gulutzan knowing full well how it didn't work out the first time is more bold than most.
Sure he has…. This is all Tom G. It’s a $$ hire.