CBC-Sports

Five questions: Larger ice surface and long road trips

December 17, 2009 02:04 PM | Posted by   Guy Carbonneau  

Here's how it works. You submit a question and Guy will provide the answer to five of them every week. It's that simple. That means your question may not make the final list, but there is nothing stopping you from submitting more than one! You can send your questions to CBCHockeyOnline@cbc.ca or post a comment in the field below.

Here are today's questions:

1. Do you think NHL hockey could be improved by enlarging the ice surface? It seems to me that the size and skill level of the players and the sophisticated defensive systems in place today result in long stretches of games being played along the boards. It has become primarily a checking game - John Wise

I think it would be something to look at closely, but I don’t think we should go to the same size they have in Europe, which is 200x98 feet (the NHL surface is 200x85 feet). A few feet wider would make it a little harder on defences to cover the ice and would give skilled players more room to use their talent. I’ve been to games and tournaments in Europe and you would think because of the ice surface that the games would be more entertaining, but it doesn’t always translate into more offence because teams still rely on good defensive systems to slow down the game. On the other hand, you do see players with skills keeping the puck on their stick longer. At the end of the day, defence will always be the most important tool in a coach’s arsenal.

2) The Phoenix Coyotes are playing really well right now. Has the team benefited from having a new coach or is it because of Bryzgalov? - Frankie

It is definitely a combination of both. I know Dave Tippett from working with him in Dallas and he has always been a well-organized coach and somebody who players enjoy playing for. He’s known to get the best from his players and get them to play in a good defensive system. That brings us to Bryzgalov, who’s been extremely good since he came to Phoenix and I’m sure he’s benefiting from having a good and organized team in front him.

3) I can’t wait to hear all of the Vancouver fans whine about this long Olympic road trip the team is going to be taking. Is there anything special you would do with the players to get them ready for a trip like this? - Betty

Nothing can prepare your team for a trip like this. The coaching staff has to look at the schedule closely before the season starts and find the travel arrangements that would help your team perform well every night. During the trip, coaches have to find ways to keep the players rested and entertained. If it is possible, I would try to cut the trip and come back to Vancouver for a few days.

4) Guy, I’m assuming you still want to coach, so I’m curious what guys like you do to get the word out that you are interested. Do you have an agent who makes calls for you or do you simply keep in touch with GMs who you think may be looking for a new guy behind the bench? - Lawrence

It’s different for everybody. A lot of coaches have an agent who is networking around the league to keep their clients on the general managers’ list. Some do it on their own. I don’t have an agent, but I try to stay involved, doing television for CBC gives me the chance to go to the rinks during morning practice and talk to other coaches and GMs.

5) I live in the Toronto area and a local paper just ran a series of articles that were trashing minor hockey. They were talking about wacko coaches, parents who are out of control and an increased level of violence in the game. Do you see many minor hockey games and what do you think of the game at the early levels? – Scottie

Unfortunately because of the job I had and not having kids who played hockey (I have two daughters and they didn’t play hockey), I didn’t have the chance to go see minor hockey a lot. I think at the end of the day the people who are giving a lot of their time to keep our kids occupied should get more recognition. They do this on their own time and do it in the best of their abilities.

But like everything, there’s always somebody who wants to win a little more than the other, or a parent who is not happy because his kid is not playing enough or thinks that the system is unfair. We put too much emphasis on competition at and early age, we should teach our kids to have fun and enjoy the game. Get them to work in an environment where they don’t feel the pressure of being the best and where they can just enjoy our great game of hockey. I am hoping I have the chance to get involved in my grandchildren’s hockey games soon. It is still a little early to tell if one of them will be interested in the game.

" Previous Post | Main
  •