The coaching carousel in the taala league took more turns again last week. Boston’s given shoe to their head coach To Jim Montgomerywas his former employer in St. Louis immediately wasted. Montgomery worked at St. Louis for two seasons as an assistant coach before moving to Boston in 2022 as the head coach.
When Montgomery hit the open market, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the Blues immediately released their own head coach by Drew Bannister and hired Montgomery instead.
‘s hockey expert Ismo Lehkonen believes that the seen hesitation will not be the last in the current season. Lehkonen is convinced that even now many club managers are constantly ready to react to changes happening elsewhere in their own coaching department.
– We have by no means seen the last kicks for this season and they will cause measures elsewhere as well. No St. Louis wanted to leave nothing to chance. When Montgomery was fired, the plane must have immediately started flying to knock on his door, says Lehkonen.
While waiting for the next part of the domino effect, it is worth following at least Nashville, Pittsburgh and Detroit, who have all played a really weak autumn. by Andrew Brunette, by Mike Sullivan and Derek LaLonden the firings would hardly surprise anyone.
– In other clubs, these situations are closely monitored there. There are several teams that are already on the ropes. In a situation that this cannot continue for a long time. Then if you think about one of Pittsburgh’s Sullivans, he’ll be snapped up off the market real quick if he gets there. There are a lot of things in the toolbox that are appreciated.
On Thursday, Pittsburgh won, but Nashville and Detroit lost.
Who surprised
Lehkonen picks Carolina as the winner of the week – if not the surprise, but – the winner. It was said in many places that the club, which lost a few key players in the summer, would be drifting into some kind of stagnation, but what else. Carolina has come into the season like a cannon, collecting a handsome balance of 16-5-1 in the first 22 games.
Carolina’s game has practically had no weaknesses in the fall season. It has scored the second most goals, conceded the third fewest goals and has been among the league’s elite even in special situations. The Czech power forward, who is making his final breakthrough, has risen to the top of the points market Martin Necas.
– When you look at how they play, they are constantly the dominant side. It’s often just dominating. All the players brought in have been successful, which is completely incomprehensible. Shayne Gostisbehere, Jack Roslovic, Sean Walker and so on, Lehkonen praises.
– I’m not surprised that Necas makes his breakthrough, but it’s about the players playing next to him Jesperi from Kotkaniemi and About Eric Robinson somewhat yes. That that chain will be about as good as 5 for 5.
Lehkonen is also one of the admirers of Carolina’s active pressure game.
– In Finland, we like to talk about ways of playing. I’ve been of the opinion for a long time that there would be a great way of playing even for a mid-pack league gang. Take charge of that and I guarantee you’ll get results. It’s so clear, where all the moves are thought out in advance, and you can’t cheat anywhere.
Who cheated
Florida managed the first couple of games in the second week of November after returning from Tampere, but lost its success skid after that. Before Thursday morning’s win over Toronto, the team had lost six out of eight games. For example Carter Verhaghen the power statistic from the previous two weeks shows a reading of -10, by Sam Bennett -7 and Matthew Tkachuk -6.
– I was already expecting a small dip last year, when that team went to the finals two years ago quite beaten. Here is such a very human thing about the human mind after a couple of hard seasons that I can’t get excited.
We want to get there a little easier. And their way of playing is such that it requires work, says Lehkonen.
Thursday’s win in Toronto was one of three tough tests at the end of the week. Florida will face Carolina twice on the weekend, providing the latest evidence of the day’s fitness.
– However, I’m not worried about this. This is a team that knows how to back itself up, and I don’t think head coach Paul Maurice is even really mad yet. On the weekend, it’s nice to see what kind of workload is put on the table for them.
Finnish goal of the week
The Finnish goal of the week is Carolina’s Sebastian Ahon 3-2 hit in the top game against Dallas. Aho didn’t blow the bank in terms of performance in the early fall, even though he played with an average of a point per game. The balance of the previous five matches is already at a different level 3+6=9.
– Aho started off with maybe a little diesel. He still didn’t play badly. At first, the effects didn’t come naturally and maybe it was a little tight. Now the return of Seth Jarvis to the side freed things up again and brought back the twinkle in the corner of the eye. Now, when the flow is on again, the enemies will be in league with him, Lehkonen says.
What next
Lehkonen raises the situation of Finns operating on the edges of the playing formations as a matter to be monitored in the coming weeks. A surprising number of the 35 domestic field players fight tooth and nail for their playing spot every day. There are at least thirteen such players – that is, more than one in three.
Jesse from Puljujärvi, Juuso Pärssinen, Kasperi Kapaseen, Mikael Wipes himself, Urho Vaakanainen, Ville Heinola, Juuso Välimäki and many other things, the Finns operate in the middle of a merciless competition for places to play.
– Now begins the heaviest phase of the season. You have to be able to bring something to that game for such players, for whom the farm or transfer list command is constantly haunting them in the background. And now we’re not just talking about power points. You should be able to bring enthusiasm there, and you should stand up, even if that Ice Age is only eight minutes, Lehkonen insists.
Lehkonen uploads raw everyday realism about playing a small role in the NHL.
– If you can now give some evidence, you shouldn’t blow it for a second. And there you can’t think about who you’re playing with or how many minutes there will be between changes. It’s constantly playing under pressure and you just have to be able to execute.
– And forget the points. You have to find a positive feeling for yourself all the time about something small. Whether it’s winning the zone or getting the puck out of the backcourt. It could be a stop in a close game or getting a shot between the posts. The coaches don’t want to see you hang your head there after an unsuccessful shot, Lehkonen reminds.
Lehkonen is worried about the quality of work in Finnish ice hockey.
– How can other countries get more players through there. Something is done in Finland during the summer facing the pine tree. I give a big criticism to player-agents who do not give their players good enough skills. They sell those players, but they should also take care that the players have a good coaching network, Lehkonen concludes.