Jim Montgomery isn’t planning wholesale modifications to the Bruins’ zone defensive system, and the brand new coach has a superb motive for that. The B’s completed within the high 5 in targets towards in every of the final 5 seasons underneath Bruce Cassidy, now plying his commerce in Las Vegas.
But Montgomery is planning his tweaks. The most noticeable one ought to be the truth that he plans to encourage his defensemen to get extra concerned within the offensive zone, a mindset that ought to click on in as quickly as a play is shut down within the defensive zone.
Montgomery absolutely acknowledges that it’s going to introduce a larger danger/reward component and, although he doesn’t need to see a plethora of odd-man possibilities going again the opposite means, he concedes that there would possibly see a couple of greater than we’re used to seeing from this workforce. The guess, after all, is the advantages within the offensive zone will outweigh the occasional mishap going the opposite means.
Now the D-men, who’ve taken nice pleasure in suffocating opponents, should adapt to the alterations.
“That will definitely be an adjustment, for sure,” stated Matt Grzelcyk, nonetheless rehabbing from his shoulder surgical procedure. “The Bruins have prided themselves on being one of the best defensive teams and playing with a lot of structure. I don’t think we’re getting away from that. But I think at the same time, just allowing yourself to have a few more guys behind you, it’s a little uncomfortable, just because you’re taught one way for a couple of years, especially as a defensman. You don’t want to be leaving guys all the time. You don’t want to lose it too much, but you want to jump in the play and add a little bit if you can.”
One participant who may be requested essentially the most to alter his sport is Brandon Carlo. Going into his seventh NHL season, Carlo had settled into the function of a consummate stay-at-home defenseman, enjoying with extra offensive minded gamers like Torey Krug and Grzelcyk. But for a 6-foot-6, 217-pounder, he strikes very effectively and Montgomery believes he may be an asset at each ends of the rink.
“I give not only him but everybody a long leash to get them out of their comfort zone to do that,” stated Montgomery. “There was instance (in Saturday’s practice) where he jumped and the puck got turned over. And I said to him ‘I want you going there. It’s up to the guy with the puck to make the right play.’ And that’s how, for everybody, we’re going to transition from offense and defense instantaneously. That’s the hope.”
So far, Carlo is embracing the brand new philosophy.
“I think it’s always fun when you have the opportunity to be more involved in the offensive side of the game. I think that’s where the smiles come, when you make good plays in the offensive zone,” stated Carlo. “I think it will be a challenge and learning process in certain regards for me going forward. But I’m looking forward to that challenge. I’m excited about it. I think it’s a great opportunity for all of us defensemen and we can really expand what we have on the back end. It can make our D corps and whole team better.”
Carlo and Montgomery have appeared to click on off the ice.
“I feel like he’s done a good job of showing me some video in areas where if we close a play off in our defensive zone, to focus my mindset and my feet to get north up the ice rather than coast up behind the play,” stated Carlo. “It’s just recognition to begin with and from there opportunities will start to present themselves and hopefully we can start to capitalize.”
There will little doubt be some bumps alongside the best way, however Montgomery plans to permit a liberal trial-and-error interval.
“I always have a long-term view and I think that the more you can allow players early on to play through stuff – and long would be like to Thanksgiving – so that they get it,” stated Montgomery. “Everybody learns differently and some people can just see it and visualize it and apply it because their brain works that way. Some people need to see it on the board a couple of times. Most people? They need muscle memory before the high-twitch fiber actually starts to fire and they go with their brains.”
In idea, it sounds thrilling. Time will inform if the fact can match it.
Lines coming into focus
The B’s opened the second week of coaching camps with strains we now have a greater likelihood of seeing on opening evening. Patrice Bergeron centered Pavel Zacha and Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci centered Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak and we noticed a 3rd line from final 12 months, with Charlie Coyle centering Trent Frederic and Craig Smith.
The fourth line seems to be nonetheless up for grabs. One unit had Tomas Nosek between A.J. Greer and Marc McLaughlin whereas Joona Koppanen centered Nick Foligno and Vinni Letteieri. While Foligno gave the impression to be going the unsuitable means on the depth chart, Montgomery – giving allowances to Foligno’s well being challenges and new surroundings that the vet needed to cope with final 12 months – expects him to be part of the workforce.
“I expect him to be a big part of what we do this year. Because of those things, I think he’s playing a lot freer and he’s getting on top of pucks, he’s creating a lot of loose pucks and he’s getting to the net front. And that’s where he’s made his whole career, is at the net front…where goals are scored,” stated Montgomery.
The 34-year-old Foligno had simply two targets in 64 video games final 12 months, and he’s not proud of that. But he stated that he gauges his sport on greater than factors today.
“I know. I get it. There’s a number and a salary attached. I get that,” stated Foligno, who has yet one more 12 months left at $3.8 million. “But for me I’ve played long enough to know that, if you’re out there in certain situations, important minutes, then that’s really what matters. That’s what teammates expect out of you and where you gfet respect from coaches and players. That’s what I look for. Last year, the hardest part was finding a role and once I found one, it’s making sure you’re good. And I thought as a fourth line we were really solid. Yeah, the goals are important and when you have the opportunity, you’ve got to bury them. That’s part of this league. But it’s also what you do away from the puck in the role you’re in now. I’m in a different role in my career now.”
Odds and ends
Eduards Tralmaks suffered a decrease physique harm in Saturday’s follow that can preserve him out for about 4 weeks, stated Montgomery…
Veteran Anton Stralman, in camp on a tryout, skated on a pairing with fellow Swede Hampus Lindholm and Montgomery was inspired with how they seemed collectively…
Montgomery stated that on Tuesday’s preseason sport on the Garden he’ll play a pair extra veterans than he did on Saturday in Philadelphia. He expects to go heavier with veterans in Saturday’s Garden matinee.
Source: www.bostonherald.com