“What you would expect is a style that is fast and competitive that prioritizes pressure on the puck in all zones but also leans in on the skill of the players. And in order to do that you have to have the proper tools to do so. I believe that we have those here. So I’m really excited to build a plan that can maximize the strengths of our team, but also have a group that can develop cohesion and connectivity within the group on both sides of the puck that really shines through all zones. And then ultimately building a team that is very good, not just in the skilled parts of the game, not just the offensive parts in the games, but the game within the game. I think in our sport, as you see when you turn on and watch the playoffs there’s a lot that goes on that you have to be very comfortable in and the group has to really stick together. Those are areas that I think we’ll be focusing on a lot.”
Devils Head Coach Sheldon Keefe, May 28, 2024
Fitzgerald agreed with Keefe’s assessment and was clear that he was not looking for a coach who would come in and try to make the roster fit his style rather than design a system that best fits the team as currently assembled. The new coach praised the organization’s resources, citing Blitzer’s support and investment in the sports science and analytics departments. He said he would lean on those departments to ensure the players are fully taken care of, which would allow him to maximize the players’ potential daily.
For a team stocked with elite talent, players like Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier will surely benefit from Keefe’s philosophy of high-pressure, fast hockey, and he believes the pieces are largely in place. “To be able to work with that (skill and competitiveness) and lean on that but also get the work itself and the necessary competitiveness and physicality and structure required to have any level of success available as a team. I believe those things are all in place here.” Keefe also cited the need for developing leadership throughout the lineup in layers and building a culture of accountability that begins with players holding each other accountable, which he believes is the mark of teams that win.
Lack of Playoff Success is Not a Concern
The main demerit on Keefe’s resume is his inability to advance past the first round of the playoffs in four…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…