It’s no secret that the Montreal Canadiens’ attack is down. Head coach Dominique Ducharme, however, seemed relieved on Monday that forward Mike Hoffman will soon arrive on the sidelines since his acquisition as a free agent last summer.
Hoffman will bring an additional offensive touch that has been sorely lacking at the Bleu-blanc-rouge since the start of the season. Should we remember that the CH has a 0-3 record so far, and that it has not found the back of the opposing net in 11 power-play this season?
“We have to score more goals. We need to be better on special teams – both on the power play and on the power play. We haven’t conceded a lot of evenly matched goals. We want to play in a more rhythmic, more dynamic way, in attack, and to create more circulation in front of the opposing net. This is what we need ”, first mentioned Ducharme.
To remedy the situation, Ducharme paired Hoffman with Tyler Toffoli, Christian Dvorak, Jonathan Drouin and Jeff Petry on the first wave in power-play in practice on Monday, and placed Cole Caufield with Nick Suzuki, Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Wideman on the second.
“This is what we had prepared this summer, but we have never been able to put in place [pour diverses raisons]. Since we didn’t have a good start there, we went back to what we had prepared last summer after signing Hoffman, ”explained Ducharme.
The head coach then recalled that Hoffman is more than just a shooter who excels in power-play. “He does more than just throw. He can generate plays, attract players to him and create options when the other team takes away his chance to pitch, Ducharme said. His unit moved the puck well [lundi] morning, and it gave options on either side with Toffoli. We like the options that it gives us, ”he repeated on this subject.
As to what he could bring to the power play, the main interested party did not hesitate a second before answering. ” Goals. I can make plays, pass, build the power play on the entry and throw the puck into the net. That’s a bit like the power play, ”summed up the 31-year-old veteran.
Hoffman will relieve Caufield
Hoffman’s arrival will also help ease the pressure on the shoulders of Cole Caufield, a barely 20-year-old known for his offensive skills.
“I’m obviously going to talk to him, and more and more as the season progresses,” Hoffman said of Caufield. If I see anything, or if I find something to improve, I will mention it to him. You know, it’s impossible to master any aspect of the game to perfection in this league. You have to constantly want to improve. He is young, and the more comfortable he is in his role, the more dangerous he will become. “
For his part, Caufield is aware that he needs to polish his game, given that his line has been shut off the scoresheet in their first three games this season.
“I know people expect our line to produce on offense. But these food shortages sometimes happen. I haven’t been playing in this league for long so I have to learn from the other guys on the team, stay positive and just focus on the next game, ”said the winner of the Hobey Baker trophy, awarded to the best player of the team. NCAA College Men’s Championship last season.
One thing is certain, however, is that Ducharme has confidence in his young striker and intends to give him time to recover. “It’s part of learning. He has to live it to get through it. He [Caufield] has known it on other levels, but it is certain that this level is the most difficult, and the one where there is the most attention. We will discuss it with him. But he has to control what he can control, ”Ducharme summed up.
And with any luck, if Hoffman and Caufield soon start flashing the red goal light, then maybe the Habs will find their way back to victory.