Let’s say it frankly: Dany Dubé did not wear white gloves to attack Martin St-Louis’ defensive system.
It is not the coach’s shoulder that is dislocated, but his defensive system. Enough to become the laughing stock of the NHL, while the Canadiens accumulate defensive errors and gaping spaces between players.
A system that is failing. But the real question: does Martin St-Louis really have a system?
Since the start of the season, CH has only exposed its defensive shortcomings, with gaping flaws that transform the system into a sieve.
Three of the first five games were catastrophic in their zone, and according to Dany Dubé, this all stems from a structure as lame as a three-legged table.
Here is what he bluntly declared yesterday on 98.5 FM.
“The defensive structure is dislocated. The forwards and the defenses, there is space. Even if we are not in the neutral zone, there is too much gap between the defenders and the attackers.
Result? The opponents have a field day, exploiting these gaping holes left by a totally disorganized defensive block.
And that, for Dany Dubé, is a problem that even a pee-wee coach would have corrected.
Forechecks… which fail
Dubé didn’t stop there. He also fired a precise shot against the lack of synchronization on the forecheck:
“When the first player goes after the puck, the objective is to bring the play to one side. But the second and third players must react more quickly to support him.
But here it is: we have never seen this reactivity on the ice, nor on the bench.
The Penguins and the Kings, among others, have found holes in the famous “structure” of St. Louis like miners in a gold mine. As a result, the supposedly tight system is actually a gruyere.
Dubé’s criticisms are scathing, but they reflect an observation that everyone already shares: The CH is a defensive farce.
Worse still, the coach’s lack of adjustments is starting to worry. After a full season of similar setbacks, the same problems persist, and fans are losing patience.
Martin St-Louis’ philosophical excuses – the “match within a match” or “individual growth” – no longer hold any weight. At some point, a coach’s job is to prevent goals, not to play Zen mentor.
If Martin St-Louis thought he could navigate his immunity by relying on his charisma and his beautiful quotes, it is high time to review his copy.
Dany Dubé said it loud and clear: this system simply does not work. And if he doesn’t make the necessary adjustments quickly, the goals will continue to fall on his head – one goal at a time.
The patience of fans and the media is running out. Philosophy is all well and good, but at the end of the day, you need results.
Because in this league, you don’t win with sweet words and metaphors, but with a solid and effective system.
And for now, the St. Louis system is as stable as a house of cards in the wind.
Another discomfort was added to the debacle: the Canadiens coach strutted on - in front of Patrice Roy, claiming that he was the best possible teacher.
An interview that comes at a very bad time after a series of catastrophic defensive performances.
The king of theory, but not of practice.
Let’s just say that the St. Louis talk doesn’t follow the boots… nor the skates. While the CH is being manhandled on the ice, the coach seemed much more concerned with improving his image than his strategy.
In front of Patrice Roy, St-Louis delivered his transformation speech, explaining that his job was to form a winning group in the long term, and that sometimes it was necessary “take one step back to move forward three.”
“Just because you win doesn’t mean everything is good. It’s not because you lose that you don’t do anything good.” he philosophized, as if good analysis was worth more than victories. (credit: -)
Meanwhile, on the ice, the holes in the defense are not filling themselves, and the losses are starting to take their toll.
Cheap excuses in the long term are no longer an illusion. Fans want results, not life lessons.
St-Louis also emphasized that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Well, it shows! If he considers himself a teacher, it might be time to consider whether he might need to retake some lessons himself. Because, on the CH bench, the players seem lost, without direction and without a plan.
“It’s a very serious job, but I don’t take myself seriously.”
He may talk about work ethic and team spirit, but the numbers speak for themselves:
A defensive structure in pieces.
Players left to their own devices on the ice, with no clear instructions.
A non-existent forecheck.
The speech of an outdated coach.
“I have to maintain the respect of the players every day, not just as a former hockey player, but as a teacher and as a coach.”
The ironic thing is that while St. Louis is congratulating itself in front of the cameras, the media and fans are starting to lose patience.
The idea that the coach was supposed to turn a group of young people into a winning team is starting to stink, especially when each loss exposes how the adjustments are lacking.
“Since I’ve been here, we’ve gotten better every year.”
Lie. And the contrast is striking: while the coach plays the philosophical teacher, the locker room is in turmoil. We can already hear the rumors:
“Is St. Louis still the man for the job?”
Disappointment sets in, and Dany Dubé’s criticisms add to general discontent.
At some point, coaching isn’t just about nice phrases and long-term plans. We need immediate results.
“It’s not because you win that everything is good. It’s not because you lose that you don’t do anything good. You have to be able to read your performance well.”
He can continue to look good in front of the cameras, but CH supporters don’t have a handle on their backs.
Former legend on the ice, amateur coach behind the bench: fewer and fewer fans are fooled.
