Systems… We Don't Need No Stinky Systems!

I wanted to step back from all the Kaberle vs. Wilson and who’s playing on what line or where the scoring will come from talk. I want to look at another important angle regarding the Leafs as a team and its coach. This article is about Ron Wilson’s system. Let’s start with a quick look at Ron Wilson’s hockey background to see what influenced his coaching style and him create his style of system.  

Wilson began playing hockey at East Providence High School and then went on to Providence College. Wilson set several NCAA scoring records as a defenseman and was named the ECAC Player of the Year in 1975. Wilson was a teammate of Brian Burke at Providence and thus began his lifelong friendship with Double B.

In 1975, Wilson was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the eighth round. Wilson played only 3 seasons with the Maple Leafs before heading to Switzerland and played six years there. Wilson played for EHC Kloten and HC Davos of Nationalliga A. Wilson returned to the NHL in 1985 and played 3 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars before retiring as a player in 1988. Wilson also played on the U.S. national hockey team on a number of occasions, which included 1975, 1981, 1983 and 1987.

Fast forward... Wilson’s coaching career started in 1990 as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks. In 1993, Wilson was named the first coach of the expansion Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, where he coached for 4 years. When released from the Ducks following the 1996–97 NHL season, Wilson was hired by the Washington Capitals. Wilson, in his first year, led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, where the Capitals were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in four games. Wilson also coached the U.S. national team in 1996, 1998 and 2010. In the 1998 Winter Olympics, Wilson became the first person to head coach in both the Olympics and the Stanley Cup Finals in the same year. Another interesting note, his father Larry Wilson and his uncle Johnny Wilson coached the Detroit Red Wings.

On June 10, 2008 The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Ron Wilson as the new head coach and signed a 4 year contract worth 5.6 million dollars, plus incentives. By this time, Ron Wilson became the 11th coach in the history of the NHL to reach 500 victories, plus another past player to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Wilson is well-known for integrating technology into his coaching plans. During his time with the Washington Capitals, Wilson and assistant coach Tim Hunter introduced personal computers into the team's strategy planning and burned DVDs of games for the whole team to review. Later on with the San Jose Sharks, Wilson introduced a tablet PC to be used on the bench to plan out strategies or review plays. Wilson created a database-software by compiling statistics on what happened on the ice. The information was fed into a computer and the results were used as a tool to coach more effectively.

With this information, Wilson instilled a puck-control system that utilized speed and backside pressure from the defense. This is known as the Offensive Zone Trap, which the National and Junior Sweden hockey teams used a similar system in the 90’s. We see the influence that Wilson had from playing in North America, Europe and being part of a coaching bloodline.

The Offensive Zone Trap as an up-tempo approach that relies heavily on speed and aggressive checking. Players are consistently changing positions, which will confuse the opposition. The system is carrying or controlling the puck into the opponent’s zones or at times (only if needed), a dump & chase in a triangular formation. Also, the team is to shorten up the passes when breaking out from the defensive zone to the natural zone and right in the offensive zone.

The principle of using the Offensive Zone Trap starts off from the breakout in the defensive zone with shorter controlled quick passes that minimize turnovers. The same actions take place in the neutral zone when entering allowing the players to move the puck quickly up the ice to the offensive zone. The key to this style of system is the forwards being consistent, crossing over into the triangle formation and keeping their feet moving with quick reactions. The first forward will carry or dump (only if needed) the puck into one corner. The second forward in the offensive zone, along with first forward, is aggressively checking and gaining possession of the puck. The third forward will be aggressive and reacts to the play near the faceoff dot. The defenseman, on the same side as the puck, is at the point slightly pitching from the blueline to the top of the faceoff circle. The other defenseman is standing just in front of the blueline facing the net. These actions will force the opposition to either make the risky long pass or try to carry the puck out of their zone.  Wilson fused the North American and European style of the game played. This type of system can be fun and make hockey exciting for many fans to watch.

The drawback… I was not overly impressed with Wilson's attempt at implementing this style of system when the players that were not playing consistently and the lack of discipline was frustrating for everyone to watch last season. Also, I was not impressed with Wilson’s ability to get the most from his players. The players from the first season Wilson coached all overachieved by playing into the system of short quick passes, jump and chase, and speed. Other than Ian White and Niklas Hagman most players at the beginning of last season either played no better than the previous year or worse. It was inconsistency, which is mostly due to a low level of talent on the team. Many nights Wilson also failed to alter his system when it was slothful.

Another dilemma is The Trapezoid. The Trapezoid caused the Leafs breakouts to be ineffective due to the careless play of the defenseman and goalie. A good goalie can bail teams out of games by knowing how to the play the puck. Remember Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur or Eddie Belfour handling the puck? It is important for the goalie to pick up the puck in the corners to setup the breakouts or make that pass to a speedy forward when the opposition is changing lines. This important and exciting play for the goalie has vanished. Also, having Toskala, Gerber, CuJo or Pogge in net was poisoning the Leafs defensive zone.

Final thoughts…

I have played, coached and trained minor hockey players for over 13 years and fully understand the Offensive Zone Trap. When coaching, I integrate this style of system slowly, but also modify as per the talent on the team. This is not a smart tactic by the coach for players to learn this type of system if they do not have essential skills. This is where a good coach will focus on the basics to get the team further of player development, for example, skating, checking and strength training to mentally prepare the players for this style of system.

This system is a team first concept. In simple terms, a blue collar working team. Players that are busy looking at their stats will not succeed and will be unsuccessful. I believe this one of the reasons why Double B. has been signing 3rd or 4th line players, so Wilson does not need to worry about prima-donnas and their 17 years contacts for 105 million. I would rather watch a bunch of 4th liners playing their hearts out, instead of super stars playing amazing one night and then disappearing the next 3 games as the like of Kovalchuk.

In terms of Wilson's system I think we have to wait and see the final on ice product. Wilson needs his players to play 200% each time they step on to the ice in all 82 games, in order to continue his preferred style of system and be successful. Anyone who thought Wilson would automatically turn this team around in two seasons is foolish; however we need to give Wilson this year to work out some kinks. Also, Double B. is overhauling this team and let’s sees what Wilson does with the players afterwards.

Lastly, I for one like how the team played when they showed up and yes, I have cursed big time when they played like UN-OH HOT DOG! This offseason performance from Double B. so far is giving us Leafs fans some hope.

Question is.... Will Leafs fans wait and see what happens come October when the NHL drops the puck?