There have been and remain many good coaches in the league.The fact is – the number of very good coaches without a Stanley Cup ring far outweigh those that do.
Jacques Martin will always be part of the former.
Coach Martin was behind the bench in Ottawa from 1996 until his firing in 2004. During that time – he would impose a defensive mindset into his players that led his team to qualify for the play – offs every season that he coached.He convinced high – flying players such as Alfredsson , Yashin and Bonk that defence brings offence. In those years that Martin was coach , his team earned the franchises’ first 100+ point season and in 2003 , won the Presidents Trophy for finishing first overall in the entire NHL. Despite all his sucess – Martin’s teams were never able to win the ‘big game’ or ‘ round’. The closest they came to a Stanley Cup was in 2003 when the team came within one win of advancing to the finals. In fact – Martin’s highly successful teams , lost four times in the first round of the play-offs and four straight times to their division rival –  the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Watching the Montreal Canadiens’ surprising deep run into last season’s play -offs,  one thing stood out above and beyond all others. Defence with a capital ‘J ‘ .
Jacques Martin’s team was playing a committed and well thought out defensive system that was keeping the quality scoring chances by the other teams to a minimum. Sure Jaroslav Halak faced a lot of shots yet most were from the same place. Game after game, shift after shift the Caps took wrists shots from outside the face-off circle. Time and time again the Penguins tried their luck with snapshots from above the hash marks. On the occasion that the likes of  Crosby and Ovechkin had opportunity to display their superior skills , Halak played above his caliber and shut the door. There is no denying that without Halak – the Habs would have been playing golf much earlier than they did. There is also no denying that without Martin’s defensive system – Halak would not have had the chance to become a hero. Here lies the problem.
The system tires players out. Physically and emotionally.
Within the system the players are asked to block shots. They are also asked to do one of the most demanding things a hockey player can do. They are asked to play a horizontal – type style in their own zone. There is no natural movement when it comes to checking an opponent, no instinctive North – South chase or a slight Northwest – South aberration. No sir . It is strictly East – West and this type of movement is hard on the knees, it is hard on the heart and most importantly – it is hard on the pyche. A hockey player does not enjoy practicing without a puck too long . They start to get edgy.  They require something that allows them an opportunity to be independent. Martin’s system is just like that. A two and a half hour practice without a puck.
Does anyone really want to go to McDonalds for breakfast after that ? Another rink first where they can do what they like and then McDonalds or IHOP.
The Montreal Canadiens are in the middle of ‘ slump’. It is more of a rebellion. The players are looking for their independence after thirty ‘ no puck ‘ practices . They are hungry to accomplish what comes naturally for them. Skating, passing and scoring is much more fun than not skating and not passing. They need to stretch their legs and run – bound over hills and dales, cracks and holes. Once this out out of  ‘their system’ , they will return to ‘ the system ‘ and in return become a consistent winning team once more. In the regular season. Problem is… the regular season doesn’t matter beyond accumulating the necessary amount of points to make the play – offs. Martin has showed beyond proof that his style of coaching acquires enough points to do so. Martin has also showed beyond, way beyond, that his style has not won any championships that count in the heart of a fan.
His system lacks intensity and the desire. The ‘ killer ‘instinct. His team’s have not been able to move in for that uppercut when their opponent’s face is down. The ‘ bodyshot ‘ when an enemy has covered all other weaknesses. His teams are like PEZ dispensers without the dispensers. Good but not affective when it comes down to long distance travel.
Les Canadiens will make the play – offs under Jacques Martin. They will not win a Stanley Cup.
This is the least of their problems with Jacques Martin…
Stay tuned to find out more !
Season’s Greetings !
p.s The Habs have lost five out of six gamesand counting…
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