New Jersey Devils Should Look At Team USA For Next Coach
We’ve talked about the case on why Patrik Elias should be on the New Jersey Devils coaching staff. It is time to also piece together and why the Devils should keep targeting someone not from the Ray Shero Pittsburgh Penguins system.
It wasn’t long ago when Devils prospect Joey Anderson came out of University of Minnesota-Duluth system, winning the Frozen Four title before reporting to the AHL. If you aren’t watching college hockey or the World Juniors right now, the man that’s responsible for leading Minnesota-Duluth to two straight NCAA D1 championship titles is Scott Sandelin.
Sandelin is a coach who typically gets the best out of his players despite not having superstars on his rosters. He expects every skater to execute his fast, attacking, meat-and-potatoes style of hockey. Despite the first game being a loss to Canada 6-4 (1 ENG) the Americans played a very tight game versus a pretty stacked Canadian roster that included Alexis Lafreniere, who scored 4 points (1 Goal, 3 Assists). If it weren’t for the American defensemen being outsmarted by Lafreniere and taking a few bad penalties.
At one point versus Canada, Coach Sandelin utilized a 1-2-2 neutral zone trap to slow down the Canadian offensive that could have blitzed Spencer Knight. The USA power play from the shot of Jones that was redirected by Shane Pinto in the top of the slot went in the back of Daws’ net. The USA players were playing a strong and supportive game winning board battles.
However, Team USA and a really talented German national team went at it exchanging three goals each. This time, the American defense played as a whole. They calmed the puck down when they were under pressure, and moved it up ice and converted three more goals against Germany. If Team USA can play smarter, and prepare to be more disciplined for a very feisty, and super physical Russian team then Sandelin’s team won’t fall to Russia’s peril like Hockey Canada did.
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What would be a feather in Sandelin’s cap would be utilizing that strong American trap consistently against the Russians. Also, building momentum off of a win from Germany and focusing to frustrate the Russian offense, and defense and get under the skin of likely Yaroslav Askarov as the Russian starter. Devils draftee Daniil Misyul who was very strong, and super physical on defense and helped protect Russia’s 3-0 cushion become a 6-0 win. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Ray Shero keeping tabs on Sandelin if he doesn’t feel putting another quarter in the Dan Bylsma merry go round for a second time as a GM.