With all the negativity surrounding the New Jersey Devils after their latest loss to the Florida Panthers, it is certainly something to mention concerns about our strategy. Having seen the coaching structure for more than four seasons, this is the beginning of many concerns about head coach John Hynes and assistant coach Rick Kowalsky running the team. One of the biggest concerns from a fan standpoint it absolutely stinks is Hynes not building team line chemistry, stability, defensive structure, and special teams.
Defensive Structure:
There is something there, but not enough physical, gritty, and insufficient substance to keeping opposing teams out of the defensive zone. The way Hynes operates the counter attack on defense is very lackluster. Hockey players must cover their opponent or box them out. Another aspect on defense is not having enough sticks in the lanes and not blocking enough shots.
Playing clean and physical in the defensive zone, neutral zone, and forechecking must also be a priority. If you can have a Devils defenseman hitting enough players cleanly with the puck it will make teams more concerned about who will end up facing that player. Being able to play all facets of defensive zone hockey is the key ingredient to turn around and play offense. Neutral zone defense needs to be perfectly structured. Sure we may not see the 1-3-1 neutral zone trap, but this team can come together under a new defensive strategy that would work well.
Opposing teams are all taking advantage of the Devils in the neutral zone. You can’t have a coach allow a P.K. Subban or any other defenseman to give opposing skaters too much time to score. It’s very important to see the players step in and breakup a play and make it a game winning goal or something important. The team has showed signs of scoring, but defense creates great offense.
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Chemistry and Stability on The Power Play:
Hynes continues to mix up lines far worse than an amateur mixologist at a house party. He’s trying to stir the drink, but it usually has too much bitterness and hard to even sip. At this point, this is a reference not only to the recent defensive structure, but the chemistry and stability on the power play.
When you have Jack Hughes and Taylor Hall on the first power play unit, it is a really good start. However, seeing Jack and others feeding Subban the puck has to be feeding the rock into the catapult. It seems PK and other offensive defenseman aren’t shooting enough on net. It’s one thing when guys like Hischier, Gusev, Bratt and Simmonds in front creating traffic, but you can’t pass the puck if you are Subban, you have to take the shot. You have to fire pucks on net!
There were times in the game versus Philadelphia where Hughes fed a pass to Taylor Hall that was robbed at point-blank range. Those are the kind of plays that usually tie up a game on a 5 on 3 power play. With a power play that hasn’t cashed in, there needs to be a time Ray Shero calls for a change. This isn’t anywhere this team should be at.
Having a coach that has experienced winning, being fiery on the bench as well as in the locker room, and has a proven track record of holding others accountable is absolutely a must have in a new coach.