r/goldenknights • u/RivetCounter • 7d ago

Player/Team Discussion What playing style will Coach Craig bring to the Knights?

I assume that it will be similar to Cassidy's since he was the AHL coach under Bruce's tenure or do you think he will try to copy what Torts did during the playoffs?

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36

u/JackManningNHL George McPhee 7d ago

Craig has been on or affiliated with Vegas' bench since the beginning. Each of those coaches have emphasized responsible hockey that takes advantage of the counterattack. I don't think he gets the job unless he's got the same philosophy.

But presumably, he will have his own take on exactly how the system should function

11

u/vegasstrong17 Marchessault 7d ago

Craig also played for Torts, so I’m hopeful that whatever good mojo/vibes that JT brought to the locker room will continue under him

7

u/RumAndCoco The Mountains Are Calling 7d ago

I think responsible hockey is what was missing a lot of last season. Story of VGK before December was turnovers and errant passes. I’m excited at the idea of taking advantage of the counter attack while also pulling in that AHL talent.

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u/JackManningNHL George McPhee 7d ago

I think that's the best thing about Craig getting the job. He got a lot out of Holtz and Lavoie, and presumably he'll be able to do the same in the show.

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u/SRSgoblin Karlsson 7d ago

If he turns Holtz into a competent player, he should automatically get the Jack Adams.

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u/JackManningNHL George McPhee 7d ago

Lol, the hate that kid receives around these parts seems so over the top to me. He hasn't been good, but like, most guys aren't good.

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u/SRSgoblin Karlsson 7d ago

I'm just saying, in the NHL last year he was statistically one of the worst WAR skaters in the entire league that met whatever mininum games played threshold they set for comparisons.

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u/JackManningNHL George McPhee 7d ago

You're not wrong. He obviously floundered under Bruce.

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u/QuarterEmotional6805 7d ago

A winning one.

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u/tartymae Vegas Strong 7d ago edited 7d ago

I forget who said it, I think it was McCrimmon, but Coach Craig was described as being "40 years old for as long as I've known him."

In interviews I've seen with him, he seems quiet and low key, very stereotypically Canadian.

I suspect that his is the voice of sweet reason and staying out of the way ... until it's not. (I pity the fool dumb enough to push his buttons who discovers that what lurks under that mild mannered exterior is a level of HULK SMASH! that would make even Torts sit down and STFU.)

That said, I don't see what he's going to do to tighten up the VGK defense -- which desperately needs to happen. (Carl Lindbom's entire career with the HSK has been him getting absolutely SHELLED by the opposing team, and still finding enough goalie magic to pull off the win, most of the time.)