Bruins Need A Rework Of Philosophy
Posted 9:11 AM ET | Comments 1
With the departure of longtime assistant coach Geoff Ward, and the unpopular decision to move on from cult hero Shawn Thornton, the Boston Bruins need to do more than they seemingly will to change up their approach and philosophy for the up coming off-season. No longer can they afford to keep thinking that winning games purely on an 80% defense 20% offense mentality can bring them back to the promise land.
Now, I know what you are thinking…and you are partially right. You are thinking that by playing that lopsided formula of mostly defense and little or no offense has done the Bruins well the past 4 years. I mean, two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and a President’s trophy just this last year kind of strongly confirms that doesn’t it? Well, yes…and no.
You see a hockey team must evolve if it’s to continue its success, especially when key components to its original core are hardly even close to what they used to be. No team, in any sport, can stay status quo for too long and expect to achieve continued greatness, for even the greatest dynasties are never everlasting.
Since the Bruins raised the Stanley Cup in 2011, many inevitable changes have occurred, including the effectiveness of a ‘shut em down’ 4th line, and most importantly, the declining play of arguably the biggest cog of the Bruins defensive machine, Zdeno Chara. Without these two major components, the formula that has driven the Bruins the past 4 years appears to be broken, and sadly unfixable.
Of course, I’m not implying that the Bruins are now done and will sink to the crème de la crumb of the NHL. I’m simply stating that the defensive formula that has been a big part of the Bruins recent success needs more than a little tweaking it needs to be replaced. Going back to the drawing board means what has been working isn’t working anymore, and to stubbornly draw up the same plan using different ink makes for a long 2014-15 season with the same disappointing results as the last one.
So, while I will miss Shawn Thornton I say don’t stop at him with the rework of that 4th line. While I’ll take glee in saying good riddance to Geoff Ward, I’ll say how about replacing him with someone who can create a successful plan of attack on the man advantage. And while I’ll marvel at what Zdeno Chara has done in the past, I’ll say cutting back his ice time is now not just a passing theory, but a top priority to his effectiveness.
Please make the changes that you know you need to make and stop trying to live on what you cannot duplicate, because history has shown that it cannot be done…. so what makes you think that you will be the exception?
Now, I know what you are thinking…and you are partially right. You are thinking that by playing that lopsided formula of mostly defense and little or no offense has done the Bruins well the past 4 years. I mean, two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and a President’s trophy just this last year kind of strongly confirms that doesn’t it? Well, yes…and no.
You see a hockey team must evolve if it’s to continue its success, especially when key components to its original core are hardly even close to what they used to be. No team, in any sport, can stay status quo for too long and expect to achieve continued greatness, for even the greatest dynasties are never everlasting.
Since the Bruins raised the Stanley Cup in 2011, many inevitable changes have occurred, including the effectiveness of a ‘shut em down’ 4th line, and most importantly, the declining play of arguably the biggest cog of the Bruins defensive machine, Zdeno Chara. Without these two major components, the formula that has driven the Bruins the past 4 years appears to be broken, and sadly unfixable.
Of course, I’m not implying that the Bruins are now done and will sink to the crème de la crumb of the NHL. I’m simply stating that the defensive formula that has been a big part of the Bruins recent success needs more than a little tweaking it needs to be replaced. Going back to the drawing board means what has been working isn’t working anymore, and to stubbornly draw up the same plan using different ink makes for a long 2014-15 season with the same disappointing results as the last one.
So, while I will miss Shawn Thornton I say don’t stop at him with the rework of that 4th line. While I’ll take glee in saying good riddance to Geoff Ward, I’ll say how about replacing him with someone who can create a successful plan of attack on the man advantage. And while I’ll marvel at what Zdeno Chara has done in the past, I’ll say cutting back his ice time is now not just a passing theory, but a top priority to his effectiveness.
Please make the changes that you know you need to make and stop trying to live on what you cannot duplicate, because history has shown that it cannot be done…. so what makes you think that you will be the exception?
TRADE CHARA