MLHS Offseason Interviews

[CarltonTheBear]

Last offseason MLHS conducted a bunch of interviews with some people in the Leafs front office and scouting staff. Most of them became pretty popular for all the wrong reasons, but the site still did a terrific job with them. Those interviews, and this first one with Dave Morrison, are probably better than any in-depth interview conducted by someone from the MSM. I'd love to see Anthony Petrielli do a one-on-one with Dubas.

I'm not sure if they'll be doing as many as they did last offseason, but Petrielli has a 3-part interview with Dave Morrison done. Below is part 1. Some interesting Nylander talk, especially about whether he'll be a winger or centre in the NHL.

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/07/23/mlhs-in-conversation-with-dave-morrison-part-1/

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/07/24/mlhs-in-conversation-with-dave-morrison-part-2/

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/07/25/in-conversation-with-dave-morrison-part-3/

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Alec Brownscombe interviewed Steve Spott next. Another very in-depth interview, but probably the two big things were when Spott was asked about what his responsibilities will be next season and whether or not the "swarm" defence will return:

AB: Have you decided on roles, in terms of the special teams assignments and who is running the D pairings?

SS: Yeah. Peter will run the defence, as he did in Nashville. He will work with the penalty killers as well. Myself and Randy will are going to be working with the powerplay and I?ll be up front with Randy.

AB: Is that PP role one you?re familiar with? I don?t anticipate we?ll see too much change there with the results from last season on that unit.

SS: It?s a strength for me. Between myself and Randy, we?ll take the lead on our powerplays. And no, when you?ve got the likes of Bozak, Kessel, James van Riemsdyk, Dion, Jake, Morgan, Cody? we?ve got some nice weapons back there. We?ll look at what other teams are throwing at us, but we also know these guys have to trust their instincts.

...

AB: I think a lot of fans are curious as to the level of synergy between the big club and AHL club when it comes to systems.

SS: The 5 on 5 systems are the same. Where we have some creativity and some flexibility is in our powerplay and our penalty kill. With the Marlies, those might have been a little different than what Randy did last year. But the 5 on 5 systems are the same, so when the players get called up they know what to expect.

AB: The system the Leafs used last season in the defensive zone was described as a swarm ? as we saw in the HBO 24/7 series with Greg Cronin?s pregame speech and as Brendan Shanahan reiterated this Spring. The Leafs literally broke records with the number of shots they allowed, which is obviously something your staff will be looking to improve this season. To my amateur eye, the points were oftentimes wide open and there were some real struggles breaking the cycle on the boards. From what I can tell ? looking through the game logs ? the Marlies didn?t have the same issues in terms of excessive numbers of shots against during the regular season. What are the keys to executing the swarm? Where do you think it can go wrong, or did go wrong with the Leafs?

SS: We had a couple of minor adjustments we implemented into that swarm? some different rules of when we would go into it. I?m hoping those are some of the rules we can work in with the Leafs this year, where we can make some small adjustments to it. A lot of teams use it, a lot of teams go to it, but there are some minor adjustments you can make so that, as you say, you eliminate those point shots. One point shot can lead to 2 or 3 other shots. That?s something we are going to be looking to change this season.

AB: So you don?t anticipate a move away from the swarm altogether next season?

SS: We will make modifications to it.

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/08/07/an-interview-with-maple-leafs-assistant-coach-steve-spott/

 

[bustaheims]

No, Steve. That's a bad Steve! The "swarm" must be eliminated.

 

[Bullfrog]

But lots of teams do it!

 

[Highlander]

He sounded Spott on.

 

[Kin]

But lots of teams do it!

Although it does raise an interesting question if the 5 on 5 systems are the same between the Leafs and Marlies and the Marlies didn't have the same problem with shots allowed then the relationship between the system and the shots allowed may not be as causal as some people have argued.

 

[Bullfrog]

Could be that the system is more vulnerable against players with elite skill level. So, perhaps the flaws still exist, but AHLers aren't able to capitalize?

Honestly, I haven't seen enough Marlies games to even comment intelligently if they are actually the same (or rather executed the same.)

 

[Kin]

Could be that the system is more vulnerable against players with elite skill level. So, perhaps the flaws still exist, but AHLers aren't able to capitalize?

Honestly, I haven't seen enough Marlies games to even comment intelligently if they are actually the same (or rather executed the same.)

I'm with you, the idea that the Marlies and Leafs played the same 5 on 5 system is news to me(assuming that Spott isn't lying about that which I can't imagine he would) and you're right that it's a possibility that this style only works in lower levels. Still, you'd think that Spott wouldn't be stumping for it's effectiveness if that was something he thought.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm with you, the idea that the Marlies and Leafs played the same 5 on 5 system is news to me(assuming that Spott isn't lying about that which I can't imagine he would) and you're right that it's a possibility that this style only works in lower levels. Still, you'd think that Spott wouldn't be stumping for it's effectiveness if that was something he thought.

Well, he did also note that the Marlies implemented the 'swarm' differently. He specifically states that they used different rules in terms of when to use it - so, it's also possible that they didn't use it as frequently or as rigidly as the Leafs did.

 

[Kin]

Well, he did also note that the Marlies implemented the 'swarm' differently. He specifically states that they used different rules in terms of when to use it - so, it's also possible that they didn't use it as frequently or as rigidly as the Leafs did.

I assume you're referring to:

SS: We had a couple of minor adjustments we implemented into that swarm? some different rules of when we would go into it. I?m hoping those are some of the rules we can work in with the Leafs this year, where we can make some small adjustments to it. A lot of teams use it, a lot of teams go to it, but there are some minor adjustments you can make so that, as you say, you eliminate those point shots.

In which case I'd point out that he qualifies the difference between the Leafs and Marlies as "small" or "minor" three separate times. Now, that very well may just be him speaking diplomatically but I think you'd agree that when the Leafs system was discussed last year the idea that it was a good one absent minor changes or slightly different methods of implementation was not super-common.

 

[cw]

Could be that the system is more vulnerable against players with elite skill level. So, perhaps the flaws still exist, but AHLers aren't able to capitalize?

Honestly, I haven't seen enough Marlies games to even comment intelligently if they are actually the same (or rather executed the same.)

I'm with you, the idea that the Marlies and Leafs played the same 5 on 5 system is news to me(assuming that Spott isn't lying about that which I can't imagine he would) and you're right that it's a possibility that this style only works in lower levels. Still, you'd think that Spott wouldn't be stumping for it's effectiveness if that was something he thought.

The Leafs and Marlies have tried to play similar systems for at least 15 years. Maybe more. The most common reason I recall being given is to help those called up fit in  more quickly.

What I didn't recall previously was the PP & PK approaches being stated as different. I can understand the PP being different to a significant degree because it does have to be tailored to the skills of those they're working with.

 

[losveratos]

Is there an audio version of this available for people on the go or is it strictly text based everywhere?

 

[bustaheims]

In which case I'd point out that he qualifies the difference between the Leafs and Marlies as "small" or "minor" three separate times. Now, that very well may just be him speaking diplomatically but I think you'd agree that when the Leafs system was discussed last year the idea that it was a good one absent minor changes or slightly different methods of implementation was not super-common.

Well, sometimes, small adjustments can go a long way, but, for the most part I'm with Bullfrog in that I imagine a tactic like that may be more effective against lesser talented groups. I will say, though, that when I did watch the Marlies, I didn't feel like they were playing the same way as the Leafs in the defensive zone. They didn't seem to collapse as deep or as frequently, and they were much more aggressive in forcing the puck carrier to act.

 

[Kin]

Well, sometimes, small adjustments can go a long way, but, for the most part I'm with Bullfrog in that I imagine a tactic like that may be more effective against lesser talented groups.

Well, except the obvious other side of that coin is that the players in the NHL who are using that defense are likewise more talented so I don't know that I necessarily buy that.

Regardless, and you yourself seemed pretty emphatic about not liking the system as a whole to me, this is less about the strengths of the system specifically and more just another sign that the people who thought that the Shanahan hiring, and the subsequent decisions we've seen, were not as strong a rebuke of the last year of hockey we saw as people might have hoped.

 

[L K]

Well, he did also note that the Marlies implemented the 'swarm' differently. He specifically states that they used different rules in terms of when to use it - so, it's also possible that they didn't use it as frequently or as rigidly as the Leafs did.

I assume you're referring to:

SS: We had a couple of minor adjustments we implemented into that swarm? some different rules of when we would go into it. I?m hoping those are some of the rules we can work in with the Leafs this year, where we can make some small adjustments to it. A lot of teams use it, a lot of teams go to it, but there are some minor adjustments you can make so that, as you say, you eliminate those point shots.

In which case I'd point out that he qualifies the difference between the Leafs and Marlies as "small" or "minor" three separate times. Now, that very well may just be him speaking diplomatically but I think you'd agree that when the Leafs system was discussed last year the idea that it was a good one absent minor changes or slightly different methods of implementation was not super-common.

I probably wouldn't read much into how he speaks at this point in time.  Spott has a realistic chance to be the next head coach of the Leafs if/when Carlyle gets fired and being a pain in the media toward Carlyle wouldn't go over very well.  I mean, small changes could be something like "only swarm when your help defenders are in position to cover the far side" and that can make a big difference because you don't suddenly have 4 guys on the wrong side of the ice because they are more focused on the puck carrier rather than where the other 8 guys are on the ice.

It could also be "small difference" because Carlyle is still the head coach, they technically used the same system but Spott actually made some pretty rigid rules. 

It is still possible though that the Leafs were just a collection of players who were historically bad at playing possession hockey.  I don't think that is a concept that is necessarily far off base because the Leafs really didn't have anyone on the team who you would consider as a significant puck control player.  Our best guys were players like Kulemin who tend not to be used in those offensive scenarios very often.

 

[Kin]

I mean, small changes could be something like "only swarm when your help defenders are in position to cover the far side" and that can make a big difference because you don't suddenly have 4 guys on the wrong side of the ice because they are more focused on the puck carrier rather than where the other 8 guys are on the ice.

I have to be honest, if the current MO is to swarm regardless of where the help defenders are and the change is to only use it in that situation it doesn't really strike me as a small change. That strikes me as a pretty fundamental change concerning the validity of the swarm as a major part of the team's defense.

Like I said, I'm open to the idea that Spott might be speaking diplomatically and if we see something drastically different from the team come the start of the season then point made but taking Spott on his word here I do think that the idea that there's been a fundamental philosophical shift within the organization since the end of last year has been dealt another blow.

 

[Redleaf]

I mean, small changes could be something like "only swarm when your help defenders are in position to cover the far side" and that can make a big difference because you don't suddenly have 4 guys on the wrong side of the ice because they are more focused on the puck carrier rather than where the other 8 guys are on the ice.

I have to be honest, if the current MO is to swarm regardless of where the help defenders are and the change is to only use it in that situation it doesn't really strike me as a small change. That strikes me as a pretty fundamental change concerning the validity of the swarm as a major part of the team's defense.

Like I said, I'm open to the idea that Spott might be speaking diplomatically and if we see something drastically different from the team come the start of the season then point made but taking Spott on his word here I do think that the idea that there's been a fundamental philosophical shift within the organization since the end of last year has been dealt another blow.

I guess we chalk that up to another win for those who think everyone managing the Leafs are idiots and always will be?

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I'm guessing that the Leafs management puts a little more weight on the fact that their more defensive players on last years team, had difficulty executing the swarm effectively. So this year with all the change in bottom six and defense, they may feel that this group can now execute it properly, or at least they way the coaching staff would like. I buy that, as I thought it was a major weak point last season, especially after Phaneuf, Kessel and JvR burnt out.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The Swarm.  They should remake the movie and the Leafs should star in it!  ;D

 

[2badknees]

The Swarm.  They should remake the movie and the Leafs should star in it!  ;D

Definitely has a b-move sharknado feel to it.

Its a about to get a whole lot swarmier.