I never assume that what a coach says to the media ...
by BIGSKYND (2020-01-13 16:47:43)

In reply to: Jackson's post game comments are usually fairly  posted by wearendhockey

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reflects what he is saying to players, especially in college hockey. Do you honestly think he's saying "hey guys, don't worry, I know you're young"? That's different, by the way, from (1) whether he is delivering the right message to them - assuming that he is, we can agree it isn't showing up right now or (2) whether the staff is making adjustments in practice, etc. - assuming they are, it isn't showing up right now. But that's what I look at in order to evaluate where things are, not at generic stuff given to the media. I really doubt that going Tortorella at a post-game presser is going to help, especially if it's directed at players. If in fact he's stating his true beliefs at a presser about what's happening then he's a frigging idiot on two scores. That's a radically new development if accurate - which I reject. And to repeat, that in no way says that right now the staff is doing a great job.

When the coach repeats the same thing over and over
by wearendhockey  (2020-01-13 16:55:16)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

publicly, it can have an impact. I also think it is just bad form for him to repeat it whenever the team struggles when it is simply not true near to the extent he brings it up.

He's never going to channel Tortorella because that is not his personality, just like he never bag skates players following a lackluster effort because he doesn't believe that using the sport they love as punishment is effective. And I'm happy with that because he's a good enough coach he doesn't need to resort to those kinds of tactics. As good as he is, he isn't perfect though, and his best efforts might not result in salvaging this season. To the extent his track record is proven, that is basically OK.

The stuff to the press only has an impact ...
by BIGSKYND  (2020-01-13 17:49:11)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

if he isn't doing something measurably different inside the dressing room and at practice. And as we know, even in the NHL different guys respond to different messages. I know personally of one case in the NHL a couple of years ago where a team was not playing up to expectations and the coach was taking heat in the media for constantly talking about injuries and multiple back to backs. The message he was giving inside the dressing room was "I've got your f'g backs - it's about f'g time you got mine." And they did turn it around. As should be obvious, we agree on what's happening on the ice and that whatever the staff is doing ain't working right now.