New Oilers coach gave a lecture revealing strategy to use in Edmonton
Photo credit: Isiah J. Downing - Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers have hired a progressive young coach in Paul McFarland, who's given a lecture on some new coaching strategies.
Earlier this summer, the Oilers officially announced that the team has parted ways with a number of their assistant coaches, including Paul Coffey, Dustin Schwartz, and Glenn Gulutzan. In their place, Paul McFarland, Conor Allen, and Peter Aubry were hired.
New Oilers assistant coach Paul McFarland gives lecture on new coaching strategy
Paul McFarland has been described as a progressive coach, given his younger age and use of analytics into his coaching strategies. It's far away from Coffey who was an old school coach, and reluctant to use analytics. While they've got their differences, McFarland did show some similarities to Coffey.
In a new lecture presented by the Coaches Site in 2022, Paul McFarland stressed the importance of quality defensive zone exits and quick-up passes for lethal offensive attacks.
The modern game is built on speed and space. With defensive systems getting tighter in the defensive zone, many of the most dangerous scoring opportunities now come before a team is even fully set up-off the rush, after a turnover, or on a clean, well-timed zone entry.
McFarland's session emphasized the importance of:
* Creating speed through the neutral zone with layered support and proper spacing.
* Recognizing numerical advantages and attacking them with confidence.
* Teaching habits like the middle-lane drive, delay options, and second-wave support.
* Empowering players to read and react based on puck position, pressure, and spacing.
- The Coaches Site
McFarland's session emphasized the importance of:
* Creating speed through the neutral zone with layered support and proper spacing.
* Recognizing numerical advantages and attacking them with confidence.
* Teaching habits like the middle-lane drive, delay options, and second-wave support.
* Empowering players to read and react based on puck position, pressure, and spacing.
- The Coaches Site
For a team with the level of talent the Edmonton Oilers have, employing this strategy could be overwhelming for the opposition.
If McFarland's presentation is any clue to next year, the Oilers will be looking to build chaos into their system and attack teams while they're disorganized. Relying on the instincts of their offensive stars and the puck-moving skills instilled in their defence, it could be an incredible combination for the Oilers.
It's exciting to see the new coach give a peek into the strategies they're discussing, and perhaps how the Oilers will shape their game next year.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 27 | 235 ANSWERS New Oilers coach gave a lecture revealing strategy to use in Edmonton Do you like the hire of Paul McFarland? | ||
| Yes | 171 | 72.8 % |
| No | 64 | 27.2 % |
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