The Montreal Canadiens head coach decided to make his players undergo a punishing practice after the humiliating lost against the Buffalo Sabres 5-1 last Wednesday. The players were forced to skate for 27 minutes straight nonstop. Guy Carbonneau clearly stated after the practice that it was a message to his players. Normally, we would expect the players to come out strong the next game to respond to their coach, it wasn't the case last night in Atlanta. The Habs didn't have any intensity at all. There was no second effort. No emotion. They were blanked. When you can't even score against one of the weakest defence of the league...it tells you something isn't right. Whether the opponent's goaltender is hot or your players aren't giving you their maximum effort. It is awkward to see this happen in the most important time of the season where teams are fighting for a spot in the playoffs. We now wonder if it isn't the other way around. Are the players actually sending a message back to their head coach? Has Guy Carbonneau lost the control over his players? Has he lost all respect?
It isn't surprising if it is the case, when you look at the line changes that Carbo have done during the past few weeks. You see bizarre lines with a 4th liner on each line. Think about it, when Alex Kovalev had to play with Dandenault for a while. A player that Bob Gainey has offered to 29 other teams but no one is interested in. How do you suppose the players would think? First, the talented players would feel that they were insulted. Second, the other players would start questioning on the competences of the coach, wondering if the coach want them to lose. It confuses the players and causes distractions. Giving even more arguments and excuses to players to lose a game.
Another reason is the Ice time. Guy Carbonneau has always played with all four lines with about the same ice time. When Tom Kostopoulos have approximately the same ice time as Kovalev, there is a problem. Even Koivu has less ice time then Lapierre. I have nothing against the third line players, they are doing a good job with their role, but your best players need to be the difference maker in a game. In order to do so, you need to give them more ice time and put all the chances on your side to win. When there's 5 minutes left in a game, you are losing by 1 goal and have a powerplay opportunity. You don't put your 3rd line on the ice. What is the message that you would send to your whole team? I want to lose this game? The players do not appreciate it. Especially when there are 13 players who are playing for a new contract next year. They need to put points on the board, but the coach is in their way.
I don't think that Carbo would lose his job over this, but I feel the players are fed up with the way Carbo is coaching and don't want to play for him anymore. What are your impressions?
Another reason is the Ice time. Guy Carbonneau has always played with all four lines with about the same ice time. When Tom Kostopoulos have approximately the same ice time as Kovalev, there is a problem. Even Koivu has less ice time then Lapierre. I have nothing against the third line players, they are doing a good job with their role, but your best players need to be the difference maker in a game. In order to do so, you need to give them more ice time and put all the chances on your side to win. When there's 5 minutes left in a game, you are losing by 1 goal and have a powerplay opportunity. You don't put your 3rd line on the ice. What is the message that you would send to your whole team? I want to lose this game? The players do not appreciate it. Especially when there are 13 players who are playing for a new contract next year. They need to put points on the board, but the coach is in their way.
I don't think that Carbo would lose his job over this, but I feel the players are fed up with the way Carbo is coaching and don't want to play for him anymore. What are your impressions?
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