Morning skate lines
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Harry S Deals
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Re: Morning skate lines
What were the practice lines today
Re: Morning skate lines
They never really have practice lines. It’s been a hodgepodge mix of men on skates who look
like they are playing a pickup game. So many passes don’t click or jump off sticks into an opponent who rushes up the ice.
I swear that during preseason Montgomery or Mgmt said how important it was to win during preseason and get into good habits. The preseason was a mess just like it has been much of the season. I must say that Montgomery is a disappointment who should take a leave of absence or watch from the press box a few games.
The lines never stay the same. The defensive pairs keep getting switched and seem incompatible. I can’t believe how out of position Parayko and Broberg appeared to be our last game. Of course, our forwards coming back are questionable It’s a mess and it will take a couple of wins again to get the team back on track somewhat.
The main point I wanted to make is that the players don’t seem to have a plan to follow and everyone is frustrated
like they are playing a pickup game. So many passes don’t click or jump off sticks into an opponent who rushes up the ice.
I swear that during preseason Montgomery or Mgmt said how important it was to win during preseason and get into good habits. The preseason was a mess just like it has been much of the season. I must say that Montgomery is a disappointment who should take a leave of absence or watch from the press box a few games.
The lines never stay the same. The defensive pairs keep getting switched and seem incompatible. I can’t believe how out of position Parayko and Broberg appeared to be our last game. Of course, our forwards coming back are questionable It’s a mess and it will take a couple of wins again to get the team back on track somewhat.
The main point I wanted to make is that the players don’t seem to have a plan to follow and everyone is frustrated
Re: Morning skate lines
Interesting point, re Montgomery...Maybe they ought to just full contact game style Blue on White scrimmage for at least 30 minutes in practice, with Montgomery sitting up high. (Before I go any further, I prefer not to call name lines by #, rather call the Three scoring lines by Center's name and then a "Checking line." Because what is more important, particularly at home is whom you will intend to match according too the opponent team, but for sake of this discussion I'll use line numbers)...Russdv14 wrote: ↑05 Dec 2025 22:59 pm They never really have practice lines. It’s been a hodgepodge mix of men on skates who look
like they are playing a pickup game. So many passes don’t click or jump off sticks into an opponent who rushes up the ice.
I swear that during preseason Montgomery or Mgmt said how important it was to win during preseason and get into good habits. The preseason was a mess just like it has been much of the season. I must say that Montgomery is a disappointment who should take a leave of absence or watch from the press box a few games.
The lines never stay the same. The defensive pairs keep getting switched and seem incompatible. I can’t believe how out of position Parayko and Broberg appeared to be our last game. Of course, our forwards coming back are questionable It’s a mess and it will take a couple of wins again to get the team back on track somewhat.
The main point I wanted to make is that the players don’t seem to have a plan to follow and everyone is frustrated
So, Play our "first" line opposite our checking ("4th") line and split the other two Forward lines against each other. Split up D-pairs as well, just assign the 3rd D-pair with the checking line group, such as their will be fresh D AGAINST the our expected highest scoring line to challenge them. Put the 7th D-man on the other side. Give each team the extra forward...Maybe one is out injured, maybe their Coach doesn't put them into action. Play two 15 minute periods. Stops for offsides, icing, etc. Take a 5 minute break in between periods. If there is a penalty, just call it stop it when touched as in a game (allows for the man/goalie pull for short time...just like a game.) But immediately go back to 5 on 5. Go hard, get mad, videotape it.
Have one Assistant coach each team. Have the goalie coach and one of the other myriad of assistants be the two Refs/Linesman.
Then work on power play/PK, and empty net and other special situations for 5-10 minutes each, either at the end of the practice, or just do that the next practice as time allows.
The idea is not to punish, nor see somebody get hurt; but the frantic panicked frenzy style needs more than just talk to correct.
Re: Morning skate lines
I like the way “old goats” think strategies with their experiences and think outside the box. As another oldster, i’ve just seen that you cannot try what this old goat suggested at this time at least because we’re on a road trip and you can’t and shouldn’t wear down your players further.
But we will have a long long break with the Olympics and have time to try to implement changes and mathematically I very much doubt will be out of contention-even though realistically, we are losing ground. So let’s not discount what old goat says, but delay the implementation to make practices better and more relevant.
To continue our thought about changes due to coach’s’ decisions, how many times does a player start out on a wing with Thomas and be rotated all over the place as the game degresses? The players are seeing OCD in motion so much of the game. Monty puts the rookie defenseman together and when that doesn’t work, he been trying to put a veteran with a youngster. I’m so confused by the pairings I don’t remember how it was when we were actually getting low scoring ties in regulation-which were much better than blowout losses-so what did we do then? Who did we use?
And then in hockey, do you ever wonder why we have to mix up an established line with other players on the power-play? In theory each team has a specialist shooter-usually a sharp shooter like Dvorsky can be or a quick one timer shooter like Kyrou or perhaps Holloway can be (what Bolduc was last season o & Perron before him). So instead of mixing up the lines they have guys with familiarity playing with each other be part of your two power-play units. If you think you have a specialist shooter, he takes the spot of where the other D man would be. Otherwise you’re shaking up your lines for a few shifts and guys not used to playing with each other all the time get separated for a few shifts. Ex. If Monty is actually going to have Thomas, Buch & Kyrou as your starting (and Finishing the game as) your # 1 line, then they should be your PowerPlay unit number one. Suter & Sunny are your stand in front of the goal disruptors, one for each unit, and maybe Suter, Sunny & Dvorsky should be the # 2 unit. I don’t know the coaches have to decide they’re the so-called experts.. I’m just saying let’s try to get more familiarity with the 4 lines including the power-play. Unit two comes out first if the penalty occurs during the shift for the Thomas line,
And speaking of the PowerPlay, the players need more movement and not telegraph the plays. Thus, Dvorsky cannot stay in the same slot, and must move around to get the defensive players moving. That does not seem to be happening. It’s a lot of stationary passing. Anyway, I’ve rambled this morning. Hopefully some makes some sense and some is just venting like all of us feel and see possibilities for changing up what has not worked this season. I’m suggesting the players may be frustrated by all the line changing , and if Monty is flustered and needs a break, give it to him in the press box. He needs an overview and he needs time to think and through by watching from above he obviously has been a successful coach, including leading the Bruins to the best record in the league one season and our 12 game-winning streak.. I do wonder about our other coaches since maybe they’re not being creative enough or maybe it’s just Armstrong for bringing in the players he did.
(I do think Suter is a gutsy guy who knows how to get in front of the net when he needs to, and knows how to whack at the puck and put it in near the net) Parayko needs to carry the puck further down the ice and the right winger needs to cover the back end when he does. Just pointing out a couple things while I’ve got the floor here. and I’ve criticized Buchnevich a lot, but I really think he’s picked up his game in the last week, so I think he’s ready for a streak if you put him with the right players)
But we will have a long long break with the Olympics and have time to try to implement changes and mathematically I very much doubt will be out of contention-even though realistically, we are losing ground. So let’s not discount what old goat says, but delay the implementation to make practices better and more relevant.
To continue our thought about changes due to coach’s’ decisions, how many times does a player start out on a wing with Thomas and be rotated all over the place as the game degresses? The players are seeing OCD in motion so much of the game. Monty puts the rookie defenseman together and when that doesn’t work, he been trying to put a veteran with a youngster. I’m so confused by the pairings I don’t remember how it was when we were actually getting low scoring ties in regulation-which were much better than blowout losses-so what did we do then? Who did we use?
And then in hockey, do you ever wonder why we have to mix up an established line with other players on the power-play? In theory each team has a specialist shooter-usually a sharp shooter like Dvorsky can be or a quick one timer shooter like Kyrou or perhaps Holloway can be (what Bolduc was last season o & Perron before him). So instead of mixing up the lines they have guys with familiarity playing with each other be part of your two power-play units. If you think you have a specialist shooter, he takes the spot of where the other D man would be. Otherwise you’re shaking up your lines for a few shifts and guys not used to playing with each other all the time get separated for a few shifts. Ex. If Monty is actually going to have Thomas, Buch & Kyrou as your starting (and Finishing the game as) your # 1 line, then they should be your PowerPlay unit number one. Suter & Sunny are your stand in front of the goal disruptors, one for each unit, and maybe Suter, Sunny & Dvorsky should be the # 2 unit. I don’t know the coaches have to decide they’re the so-called experts.. I’m just saying let’s try to get more familiarity with the 4 lines including the power-play. Unit two comes out first if the penalty occurs during the shift for the Thomas line,
And speaking of the PowerPlay, the players need more movement and not telegraph the plays. Thus, Dvorsky cannot stay in the same slot, and must move around to get the defensive players moving. That does not seem to be happening. It’s a lot of stationary passing. Anyway, I’ve rambled this morning. Hopefully some makes some sense and some is just venting like all of us feel and see possibilities for changing up what has not worked this season. I’m suggesting the players may be frustrated by all the line changing , and if Monty is flustered and needs a break, give it to him in the press box. He needs an overview and he needs time to think and through by watching from above he obviously has been a successful coach, including leading the Bruins to the best record in the league one season and our 12 game-winning streak.. I do wonder about our other coaches since maybe they’re not being creative enough or maybe it’s just Armstrong for bringing in the players he did.
(I do think Suter is a gutsy guy who knows how to get in front of the net when he needs to, and knows how to whack at the puck and put it in near the net) Parayko needs to carry the puck further down the ice and the right winger needs to cover the back end when he does. Just pointing out a couple things while I’ve got the floor here. and I’ve criticized Buchnevich a lot, but I really think he’s picked up his game in the last week, so I think he’s ready for a streak if you put him with the right players)
Re: Morning skate lines
Your additional thoughts are important...yes the scrimmage(s) needs to be done when there is more than one off day. They cannot have mental fatigue to be ready to focus and make the idea work and then they have to be physically ready for the next real game. Cannot turn back the clock, but Tuesday would have been a good day. I'm not sure, but I believe there are Union Contract rules that they are to be allowed a break if they are not in the Olympics, nor during All-Star breaks.Russdv14 wrote: ↑06 Dec 2025 09:30 am I like the way “old goats” think strategies with their experiences and think outside the box. As another oldster, i’ve just seen that you cannot try what this old goat suggested at this time at least because we’re on a road trip and you can’t and shouldn’t wear down your players further.
But we will have a long long break with the Olympics and have time to try to implement changes and mathematically I very much doubt will be out of contention-even though realistically, we are losing ground. So let’s not discount what old goat says, but delay the implementation to make practices better and more relevant.
To continue our thought about changes due to coach’s’ decisions, how many times does a player start out on a wing with Thomas and be rotated all over the place as the game degresses? The players are seeing OCD in motion so much of the game. Monty puts the rookie defenseman together and when that doesn’t work, he been trying to put a veteran with a youngster. I’m so confused by the pairings I don’t remember how it was when we were actually getting low scoring ties in regulation-which were much better than blowout losses-so what did we do then? Who did we use?
And then in hockey, do you ever wonder why we have to mix up an established line with other players on the power-play? In theory each team has a specialist shooter-usually a sharp shooter like Dvorsky can be or a quick one timer shooter like Kyrou or perhaps Holloway can be (what Bolduc was last season o & Perron before him). So instead of mixing up the lines they have guys with familiarity playing with each other be part of your two power-play units. If you think you have a specialist shooter, he takes the spot of where the other D man would be. Otherwise you’re shaking up your lines for a few shifts and guys not used to playing with each other all the time get separated for a few shifts. Ex. If Monty is actually going to have Thomas, Buch & Kyrou as your starting (and Finishing the game as) your # 1 line, then they should be your PowerPlay unit number one. Suter & Sunny are your stand in front of the goal disruptors, one for each unit, and maybe Suter, Sunny & Dvorsky should be the # 2 unit. I don’t know the coaches have to decide they’re the so-called experts.. I’m just saying let’s try to get more familiarity with the 4 lines including the power-play. Unit two comes out first if the penalty occurs during the shift for the Thomas line,
And speaking of the PowerPlay, the players need more movement and not telegraph the plays. Thus, Dvorsky cannot stay in the same slot, and must move around to get the defensive players moving. That does not seem to be happening. It’s a lot of stationary passing. Anyway, I’ve rambled this morning. Hopefully some makes some sense and some is just venting like all of us feel and see possibilities for changing up what has not worked this season. I’m suggesting the players may be frustrated by all the line changing , and if Monty is flustered and needs a break, give it to him in the press box. He needs an overview and he needs time to think and through by watching from above he obviously has been a successful coach, including leading the Bruins to the best record in the league one season and our 12 game-winning streak.. I do wonder about our other coaches since maybe they’re not being creative enough or maybe it’s just Armstrong for bringing in the players he did.
(I do think Suter is a gutsy guy who knows how to get in front of the net when he needs to, and knows how to whack at the puck and put it in near the net) Parayko needs to carry the puck further down the ice and the right winger needs to cover the back end when he does. Just pointing out a couple things while I’ve got the floor here. and I’ve criticized Buchnevich a lot, but I really think he’s picked up his game in the last week, so I think he’s ready for a streak if you put him with the right players)
And of course, familiarity is a BIG issue, a forever pet-peeve of mine as well. I think of those great Canadiens dynasty teams. Yes they had great talent, but they never changed the lines. Bad games, tough streaks, disjointed shifts happen, but they would stick with it. Subconsciously, they know the Coach has faith in them being able to rebound get the job done AND that he believes in his own strategy of play and line combinations. It builds trust, confidence, no worrying about second-guessing.
I ain't easy being a fan.
Re: Morning skate lines
Good convo here with you and Old Goat. I agree on Buch, he's been better, and had a goal. But he's also still embarrassing.
As for the team chemistry and consistency stuff. That is what we kept hearing and saying last season and maybe this is the 3rd season - consistency. Buch said he will play center, but mainly he didn't want to be moved around. Choose and let it be. Then they (Bannister?) immediately jacked him around. Eventually the lines settled last season once Monty came in and we found our groove after the break. As mentioned, that could happen again.
Some type of puck possession drill involving ~3 players on each side could help find which players have chemistry. But really, as you infer, they need consistent lines to settle in and produce consistent results. Monty benched Kyrou for a game and has moved underperforming highly paid top-6 forwards down the depth chart, but they're all still out there getting minutes. It's time to stop jacking around and put the players where they want to be and are supposed to be, and then let them be so they can find their groove. If they don't, we suck either way. The D pairings have been consistent lately, and it seemed like things were working, but I like Fowler-Parayko. I think it's time to make the switch and force either Broberg or Mailloux to own their line with either Broberg-Mailloux or Tucker-Mailloux. Same could be said for some forwards. Injuries have become a factor though. Neighbours was out, Snuggerud, and now maybe Thomas is dealing with something? Hard to choose what to go with, and I think the current lines are pretty solid and hard to argue with. I think though that Buch should be on Thomas' RW, and the LW should be a guy who can check. Schenn is already there, and they were doing well together with Dvorsky. I like Neighbours and Thomas, but I also liked him with Dvorsky, so just make that swap and the D pair swap and I think we're set for now.