Coopers Gum
Extend Andrej Sustr
That's my biggest knock on Cooper. He's trying to ice a defensive-minded team that, with what he got in terms of player ressources, is as physical as possible. Why? Because (and of course I'm just speculating) that's how it's supposed to be in a playoff environment. Hard-nosed, low-scoring and physical. He completely ignores that even without Stamkos and with a banged up Johnson or Callahan, his team is still highly competitive in terms of offensive prowess. Because that's the way it's built by Yzerman.
He completely ignores that he has the possibility to dictate the game flow and pace with all these fast and talented players. Why not ice three lines of dynamic and energetic players? Kucherov, Palat, Johnson, Drouin, Marchessault, Namestnikov, Brown, heck even Killorn or Filppula - they all can fly. Make these slow teams looking to play the body and clog up the middle of the ice get dizzy when our team trucks by them. I mean we're talking Detroit Red Wings here, not Washington Capitals or other teams like that that are on a whole different level right now.
Too bad we didnt practice and optimize this brand of hockey at all the entire season. It's the old personnel vs. game plan debate from the other thread, really.
Bingo. Guy Boucher said it best: speed intimidates. Last year, we were the fasted team in the league, no doubt. If you ask me, no one else really came close besides the Stars and Hawks. Now... I can't remember a game where we've dictated play, much less a game where we did it with our speed.