| | First-year Phoenix coach Bob Francis has shifted away from the more
conservative style implemented by his predecessor, Jim Shoenfeld.
He hasn't totally "opened" things up -- he insists defense remains the No. 1
priority -- yet Francis allows his defenseman more freedom to jump into the
offensive rushes, especially in transition.
He encourages players like Jyrki Lumme and Teppo Numminen to fill more open
lanes when the Coyotes look for quick strikes off turnovers.
"We wanted to try and improve our offense, the power play in particular,"
said Francis as the Coyotes prepared to face Los Angeles on Friday night.
"We have mobile defenseman to use in the transition."
Francis may be a neophyte to the NHL coaching ranks, but he's been honing
his coaching philosophy for a long time, most recently as the assistant to
two-time Jack Adams Award winner Pat Burns in Boston.
Despite Francis' alteration in the team's playing style and tempo, the
Coyotes averaged fewer goals over the first seven games compared to last
season. Thus far, Phoenix averages 2.71 goals per game, while last year it
was 3.0 to begin the season.
"Our quality chances are better," Francis said. "The stats may not reflect
that, but the chances have been there."
The key for any new coach is to get key veterans to buy into whatever scheme
is to be implemented, and that doesn't seem to have been a problem in
Phoenix.
"I like it because everybody is doing it," team captain Keith Tkachuk told The Arizona
Republic. "We're all over the puck, jumping into the play and making things
happen. It's perfect with me."
Sutter catches fire over Flames flickering
start
Calgary Flames coach Brian Sutter has a difficult job, especially for his
competitive personality. He hates to lose, but the bottom line is that he
coaches a team lacking talent relative to the rest of the Western
Conference.
After losing 7-1 in St. Louis earlier in the week, Sutter blew a gasket --
and the season is only eight games old for the Flames.
"You guys wonder why people get migraines," Sutter told the Calgary Sun.
"It's from watching things like I watched (against St. Louis).
"Indifferent play will not be tolerated. Those guys have to be honest about
it. They are getting paid a lot of money for what they are doing. (St.
Louis) is inexcusable."
The lingering effects of losing Theo Fleury last season isn't a
valid explanation for the team's horrid start. At least not to Sutter.
"Theo's trade doesn't have anything to do with it because those guys played
pretty well down the stretch last year. So that excuse is gone."
Holding out hurts more than
wallet
In terms of conditioning and playing games, what's it like for a holdout
once he returns to the team?
The best place to go for an answer to such a question would be Edmonton,
where the Oilers specialize in holdout management.
Mike Grier, who missed the
entire preseason and first regular-season game before signing three weeks
ago, is just now getting acclimated.
"I felt like I came back in pretty good shape, but it's a whole different
game," he told the Edmonton Sun. "Just the pace of it, the hitting and the
grinding, that's what really wears your legs down.
"My legs are under me now, and the soreness I had at the beginning is pretty
much gone."
Grier has one goal and no assists in six games.
Roman Hamrlik also missed all
of training camp, yet he came back in time for the season opener. Although
he played games in Europe while holding out, he still feels a little
uncomfortable in NHL regular-season contests.
"Back home it's wide rinks and lots of skating, no hitting," he said. "If
you play smart you never get hit. Here it's very physical; it's harder and
faster here."
If and when Bill Guerin ends
his contract holdout, he will encounter an even more difficult task because
the early season game pace is slower than at midseason.
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