I wondered the same thing. Why did all those people crash and burn? I think Noel's system is too hard to pick up and people can't adapt to it.
It's the system but the strategies are simply too old and are used when you only have quality D. Sorry if this is convoluted - I've only had a cup of coffee.
The system Noel has implemented all revolves on the defensive breakout. Meaning, the system Noel implemented in Winnipeg was based on the defensive corps he received. The D are the strength of the lineup. Meaning the D are expected to push the puck up the ice and either dump the puck in and chase and/or take the puck in themselves creating odd man chances immediately. This generally is associated with less talented offensive players expected to win battles along the boards and cycle the puck. As the Dman chases, a forward remaining in the neutral zone becomes the potential back-checker and defensive magnet taking the secondary man (of the opposing team) should we lose the boards battle.
It would be better if I had a whiteboard. Players like Bogo really are not well fit for this so you see him generally tail off and return to his defensive assignment. Buff really loves this. Those who won't like this system are F puck carriers like Kane, Wheeler (esp.), Little and Ladd who need more momentum. That is why Burmi was benched, because he didn't want to play the chase game because getting the puck is difficult and he was often trapped when the puck was lost and he was getting physical. Not that he didn't try. Noel wants the forwards to trap/ play tough in the neutral ice creating odd man chances in the offensive zone immediately. So a player like Buff is able to use the corners and skate in with speed for chances and the trailing players get rebounds (touch any of those players and it's interference).
This is not the only breakout, but it is the one preached by Noel. The secondary strategy employed is designed around a cross-ice pass and.or straight up rush with pass which catches the defenders moving E-W rather than N-S. The idea is for forwards to speed through neutral ice receiving the puck from a D/F. This strategy will benefit forwards with D simply trailing the play. The problem inherent in this approach is that it violates the assumptions of the defensive strategy and that our forwards are ill equipped to create the distractions necessary in the neutral zone. This allows the opposing team's defensive partners to be well aware of what's coming. It's a very old strategy.
Unfortunately we don't see a lot of this secondary play because our defensive scheme requires lane driven assignments where players play in the line, similar to a diamond D where the team collapses to the net rather than play a box system. When you see us play the box, we're in fact out of the defensive alignment and lanes are free.
The problems associated with this system is that you're taking the puck out of the hands of your star forwards. I'd prefer a cross matched set hybrid positioned pass. This generally allows the defensive breakout to occur anywhere and in any fashion up the ice. Most coaches hate this because it is too free flow. It is less system based and is built on decision making rather than systems. Kovalchuk, Ovie love this!
The D on Winnipeg that would benefit most would be Enstrom, Postma, Bogo and/or Trouba (quick start and stop). As they bring the puck up, the trailing D plays defensive (Clitsome, Redmond) to cover mistakes. The forwards are aligned within the defensive and neutral zone gaining speed. Prior to the Dman getting to the red line, a pass is made to either forwards in a position to see the defensive alignment and make the decision to pass, dump in and/or rush. Generally the dump in is seen as the last option. The first option is almost always a pass to players with more momentum. Once the puck enters the offensive zone, players are expected to open up the ice by getting in passing lanes rather than seeking the puck. This approach uses speed and player positioning. It allows for line combos like Jokinen, Seto, Kane to be snipers with Scheifele and Little to use their passing skill. It would benefit a Ladd-Little-Wheeler line. In this approach, one Dman will likely enter the zone to take out the centreman by driving to the net but in fact, it's the late trailing Dman who skirts the blue line and enters the slot (they become more dangerous). The D are unfamiliar with where players will position because they can change on the fly. Usually a line change here can really screw up a defensive squad and someone is wide open.
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