If a player's having a bad game, should he skate to the bench himself or not?

Question

Apparently in a lot of places overseas, players are more honest with their coaches. I think goaltenders are the best example to explain the difference between ideologies.

If a goalie from overseas isn't stopping more than half the shots on them early in the 1st period, and maybe has 3 goals scored against them already, they are more inclined to request that the coach put the backup in. They see that as being a team player.

Players from the North American continent are more inclined to want to stay in and battle through their rough nights. Only well into the game, say 3rd period when the score is 6-1 does the coach pull them and put the backup in. They see that (battling until it's nearly over) as being a team player.

Which philosophy do you prefer for a goaltender?

If a forward's having a bad game, should he tell the coach to sit him out of the important shifts (like a PP or PK) or let the coach put him out and battle through?

BOB - Yeah, I did read this somewhere but I've lost track of where. The article talked about Henrik Lundqvist asking to be taken out in the 1st after like 4 goals, and the whole here vs there comparison when it comes to that. (Thought of this after mentioning Lundy's, uh, "sister" in sshueman's question. My thought process = joke.)

I should have mentioned players opting out of the shootout/penalty shots. Indeed, it was mentioned that it's just the way they come up playing. You could compare it to the way some European players play a more technical (figure-skating, haha) game because they came up playing that way.

PUCK - I'm glad you didn't gyp me with $.02 CAD this question. What are us U.S. answerers supposed to do with that anyway? :P

Answer 1

You raise a very interesting variance in cultural perspective.

Without getting into stereotypes, the North American mentality towards sport is far more aggressive than the one in Europe.

In the US, that mindset even seeps into the work place. That particular discussion, however, is for another day, however.

I've actually lived on both continents, but my formative athletic years were spent in the US, so I have no objective frame of reference here.

The North American way is simply what I know and feel comfortable with as my guideline. With that said, I have given up a shift on the pp in a game where everything I touched turned to shyte.

A pro athlete cannot do that in our culture, however. It would be viewed as a sign of weakness and a lack of 'heart'.

European/Scandinavian athletes (not the rabid soccer fans) don't always view sport as war. That's a critical distinction to make between our cultures.

Just think Bjorn Borg or Ivan Lendl vs John McEnore or Jimmy Connors. Completely different demeanors and perspectives on competition.

Answer 2

Did you read this somewhere Erica? I never realized that to be the case.
It depends coach to coach because I have seen numerous times where NHL coaches have pulled a goalie after a shot or two. Mike Keenan comes to mind. Can depend if it is a rookie or veteran goalie too, don't want to shatter the young guys confidence.
Also, there are times when a goalie is just looking bad so they'll get him out and times where they are losing 6-1 and it was the team's fault more than the goalies so that can come into play. You want a confident goalie that will battle through an off night but there is a fine line to embarrassing him too. Not often will you see Brodeur embarrassed because they don't let it get that far. Montreal embarrassed Roy which ended up being his last game there.

Answer 3

If you are at work and you aren't having a great day do you go to your boss and tell him-her you're leaving because your having a rough time, boo-hoo? Not bloody likely.

If a player is messing up badly and repeatedly, believe me, the coach will be the first one to sit him down.

The coach and his assistants are far better judges of who is and isn't having a good game than the player who is on the ice. The players can't see everything that's going on when they are on the ice and caught up in the game. That's what assistant coaches are for. And they will always do what is best for the team.

A goaltender may get bombarded because his defence is playing lousy, but the goaltender might think it's all his fault. A forward may be getting creamed out there, but it may be because he is being double-teamed by his opponents and not realize it.

I've seen coaches take players who are having difficulty scoring and put them on the power play just to let them get the feel of the puck again. Or double-shift them to get their legs going. I've seen coaches leave defencemen on the ice who have coughed up the puck for a goal against just to keep their confidence up.

You can't correct your play by sitting on the bench. You can only reverse a bad shift by going out and having a good one the next time you are out there. These guys get paid to play, not to hide because things aren't going their way. That's quitting.

Answer 4

I think New Jersey was down 5-0 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals after the first period last year, right? Broduer stuck it out--and yeah, I know, it's Broduer, who played all but five games last season, but that's his job.
I think for goalies, largely, they feel responsible to their position, and if they aren't stopping the puck, they gotta dig down deep, man-up a couple of notches, and get it going. For forwards, if they aren't on their game they can request less ice-time, and I imagine there are many who have. But ultimately, it's a coaches decision, not a players. He will only pull his goalie in that situation so as not to totally embarass the guy. In the case of the other skaters, pulling a player is almost exclusively going to be a disciplinary action and not a temporary lay-off pending better play. And why? Asking to be given a leave on account of less than professional play in a professional sport? We call that coping out in the real world.
Answer= Get it together!

Answer 5

The only example of this that I am aware of is Henrik Lundqvist earlier this year, and Sather told him if it happened again, the removal would become permanent.

Most coaches can determine when a player is having a bad night, and will bench them accordingly. Same with goalies. However, if it becomes the player calling the shots, the mental toughness of the player comes into question. Nobody wants that.

Answer 6

I think you are your worst critic. If your having a bad night there's nothing wrong with asking for a switch in net minder. On the other hand a good old fashioned whipping can be used as a character builder. A goalie definitely is a special breed of player. No matter what happens in the game it ultimately falls on the goalie to keep the puck out of the net...Bad game or not you just have to focus on the next shooting attempt not the last one........

Answer 7

I always believe in the philosophy of letting the coach determine who to sit and who to play. If I played goalie (I play right wing), I'd never skate to the bench and ask to be replaced. Even if it is frustrating to have a lot of goals scored against you, you have to trust the coach and let him make the decision to pull you.

As for forwards, if you are having a bad game, it may only take one lucky shot or lucky bounce of the puck for you to score a goal and have your confidence restored, so I'd never ask to be taken off a PP or PK line.

Answer 8

the first thing that came to mind when I read this was..Patrick Roy.

Had this been acceptable here, he'd have been with the Habs for several more years. Probably had a cup or 2 more under our belts too!!!

I think if a player knows they aren't up to par, why not be able to ask to sit it out? it's wrong to keep a player playing when it's obvious they aren't at their best. Not only for the player, but also for the team and the fans.

I'm still very very sour on that whole Patrick situation LOL

Answer 9

Now that the NHL is mixed with many players and coaches from different countries I would put a little more trust in the coaches to make that kind of decision. Coaches know what to look for and know what the players capabilities are.

Answer 10

Actually I believe that is the coaches decision he's the one that sets the lines. The goalie isn't always at fault when goals are scored. It's a "Team" game eh.