This is really interesting. Thankfully it’s putting me to sleep (mercifully) but I especially liked how he talked about system play and where system plays falls on his priority list (starting at 37:20). SPOILER: he thinks habits are paramount and systems are just details. His 10 habits:
1. win loose puck battles
2. reload-be on top of the puck
3. discipline-change for the team
4. faceoff ready
5. 2nd quick-create 2-1
6. block shot
7. angling and good stick
8. puck management
9. goalie presence
10. slow down opponent
Really like at 43:08 where he’s talking about what he values in system plays. Defensive zone control and structure and detail (obviously, who doesn’t? ) but more interesting is his view on Tracking which he says is used to “Take away the soul of the opponent” that when you play a team that tracks like mad dogs all the time, it’s intimidating and takes your soul away and you just can’t get going and they just suck the wind out of you the whole time.
Then he preaches possession (obviously, who doesn’t) but more interesting is he says he’s willing to sacrifice some offense for more possession. Stating that the best chances come form mistakes other teams make when you’re possessing the puck. He seems to think it’s all about never giving up possession and supporting plays in ways that sustain possession. Talks a lot about hard forechecking. This seems to be a theme with him. Likes aggressive forecheck, possession, and relentless puck hounding (I mean, I guess all coaches do - haha - but this one really stresses these things).
At 1:00:00 he starts breaking down the basics of his d zone system. It’s not groundbreaking and what he says isn’t particularly interesting but the way he says it is. How he stresses certain things and is very black and white in certain things. Interesting. Does the same for his forecheck at 1:38:00. Again, basic and standard but the delivery and emphasis may be telling.
He gets really passionate 1:33:25 - covers much of what he said at the presser but in more detail with more feeling. Good stuff. Nice to finally have a coach who can speak English fluently. Dude didn’t know how to put at sentence together until 2006. Rick Tocchet is still working on it.