|
The Toughest Job in Montreal... |
|
|
|
|
|
Toughest job in this city is being the Coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Just too much to live up to, given the team's rich history. So many people were calling for Guy Carbonneau's head last year...his first year of coaching in the NHL. What seemed to be ignored by the critics was the fact that after the tragedy that befell the Gainey home half way through the season, Guy Carbonneau was left to handle the press, the decisions, and a flu-ridden hockey club, by himself. No easy chore.
So he made some errors. Though he may not have executed his job as well as some expected, under these streneous circumstances, it's understandable. His faults were really in the communication department. No doubt the situations with Alex Kovalev, and Sergei Samsonov could've been handled smoother. No question that the team's lack of offensive production 5 on 5 was unnacceptable. But, all of that aside, Carbonneau did many things well.
Here is what you should know about Carbo...though you may not like his system, he knows exactly what it takes to win in the NHL. He is a technical genius. Even our own star writer, Garth, who sat with Carbonneau at one of Buffalo's practices, was astounded by Guy's assessment and analysis of Buffalo's style. Carbonneau understands positioning so well, and really is a true student of the game. He is also extremely intelligent, and passionate. At this young stage of his coaching career, he will have to find a way to balance his passion, in order to keep a cool head on the bench. His "bedside manner" with officials will need to improve, and he knows this.
What impressed me most is that when the Canadiens went into their mid-season slump, Carbo didn't switch the lines too much. In fact he kept them intact for almost the entire first half of the season. When our offense really fell off the map, he made every change possible to get them going. He gave Alex Kovalev every opportunity to break out of his lethargy until he was finally relegated to a lesser role. There are many coaches who would've slammed Kovy in the pressbox for a few games, but Carbo gave him the opportunity to get going without trying to embarrass him.
I would like to see the people of Montreal rally around Guy Carbonneau. Throw your support his way. Believe in his abilities, and he will perform to his abilities. He's a technical coach, but he also has the ability to be an excellent motivator. I can guarantee he learned a ton last season, and knowing his personality as a player, you can also be rest assured there was no one as dissapointed in last season, as Guy was. It's time we gave our head coach the opportunity to improve. I wrote this before, but I don't judge people based on the errors they make, I judge them based on how the fix those errors.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»