[32T – 21:00] Friedman à propos de Craig Berube : « Il est considéré comme haut sur la liste d’Ottawa et du New Jersey. Certaines personnes m’ont dit qu’elles ne pensaient pas que ce serait Ottawa. Je ne dis pas que cela signifie que ce sera définitivement Jersey parce que je pense que Toronto pourrait peser sur cela.
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isqueezebutts
13 Comments
Berube makes a lot of sense if he presents a plan during his interviews to adjust his style for the Devils’ roster.
From the outside looking in, it seems like we need a coach who can credibly push this team to play tougher. Not gimmicky, « play MacDermid 5 minutes a night to punch someone » toughness — I’m talking about building a culture of contesting pucks against the boards, earning space in front of the net on every shift, and fighting through adversity instead of letting every bad goal against snowball. Berube could be that guy.
I don’t know, man. We’re a very different looking team than the Blues team that won the Stanley Cup. I’m not sure how we fit into Berube’s scheme or that he’s shown the capacity to adjust successfully.
I know a lot of this sub is high on him but I only know him from the Blues run and was way more of a « watch for fun » fan back then. Can someone explain his coaching style and scheme?
I’d be fine with Berube I guess, but I really hope the Pens fire Sully. There’s a chance of that happening with Keefe likely out at Toronto
re Berube, there’s this from last night, [https://x.com/DownGoesBrown/status/1787291523098218696](https://x.com/DownGoesBrown/status/1787291523098218696)
My short list in order goes Sully, berube, Carle. For Sully a lot of dominos have to fall, so imo berube might be best realistic case.
UNBANNED LETS GOOOOOOO
i’d be happy with him or someone like woodcroft honestly.
I’d be on board with Berube for everything mentioned. I see a lot of fans saying they don’t think he’ll work because his Blues teams were bigger. That is true but you gotta think Berube is smart enough to adapt some, and hire assistants who can help him do so.
It’s not like the Devils need to play like those Blues teams to win, they just need to play with a little more grit. Make it harder on other teams to push them around, and let the speed and skill work organically.
A number of people are wondering how he fits as a coach, but are considering last year’s Devils team.
I think Fitzgerald has strongly signaled he intends to change things up to bring in « toughness ».
I don’t mean enforcers; I mean supplementing our high skill guys with those who will fight in board battles and pay a physical price.
I don’t think Fitzgerald is just going to bring in a goalie and swap 1-2 pieces out. I think he realizes the team needs a significant focus on no longer being pushed around, and how important it will be to have « hockey players » going forward – emphasized by how the team changed when we lost McLeod. We need to fill that hole, *and then some.*
It wouldn’t surprise me to see a trade like Mercer being shipped out to bring in a vet that fits that description, for example.
While of course we should expect Berube to adjust to the roster, the roster likely was already going to adjust in Berube’s « direction » as far as how he coached St. Louis.
So I don’t think it is just a matter of « Oh, Berube won’t use this roster well because we have skill guys » so much as Fitz will do what he can to change our identity to have some high end skill of Jack, Nico, Bratt, etc. with the toughness and depth required for the playoffs.
This could be part of the reason why he is high on Berube, if that is true. Also of course that he has coached a team to winning a Stanley Cup so he brings that « pedigree » which Fitz also mentioned, etc.
Should I be excited?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I think the for the devils to succeed with this course they need to build like Colorado with a coach who push them to play a similar style. Bednard is a players coach who can motivate guys, yet hold them accountable. High flying team that comes at you in waves off the rush and is willing to play physical but it doesn’t remove them from their game.
We need somebody who can hold our players accountable, but also play to the strengths of our roster. I figure someone who can thrive while still playing Torey Krug a bunch should be a serious consideration.