All ice hockey coaches have their own philosophies that are based on their experiences in the game, the coaches who have influenced them and the theories they have developed over the years. While some coaches are extremely aggressive and others are defense minded, most coaches change their philosophy depending on the situation they face and the personnel they have at their disposal.
Aggressive Offense
Coaches who have speedy skaters often like to play an aggressive offensive style. This includes head-manning the puck, sending two forecheckers to get the puck when it is in the offensive zone and having the defensemen join the play when there's a chance to score a goal. This can be very productive and help a team score more goals. The problem comes if the team employing this philosophy does not have a top-of-the-line goaltender. Teams that play aggressive offense often have defensive players that get caught out of position. That gives the opponent a chance for breakaways and excellent chances to score. The aggressive offense is very pleasing to the crowds and can have some spectacular results but is not usually associated with championship hockey. There have been some notable exceptions---Bobby Orr's Boston Bruins of the early 1970s and Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers teams in the 1980s---but most teams dependent on offense have a hard time sustaining success.
Defensive Trap
Throughout the 1990s and the early part of the 2000s, several coaches went to a more defensive philosophy. They thought that if they could keep their opponents from scoring, they could win more games. So instead of aggressively pushing the puck ahead and looking for scoring opportunities, they wanted to tie up opposing wings and prevent the opponents from getting good scoring opportunities. This system---called the left wing lock---helped the New Jersey Devils win several Stanley Cups and helped other teams become contenders. This type of philosophy can be somewhat boring to fans, and many hockey officials were fearful that if too many teams adopted the defensive philosophy used by Jacques Lemaire that the game would lose much of its luster. While many coaches respect defensive play, few teams allow the philosophy to dominate anymore.
Balanced Approach
Instead of concentrating on offense or defense, most coaches take a more balanced approach. They emphasize offense when they have an advantage and look to the defense if the opponent is quicker, faster or more explosive. This kind of approach demands cerebral players who can make adjustments on the fly and have the integrity to play defense when it is called for and the talent to attack when the team needs a goal. Most players like playing for coaches who demand a full and well-rounded game from their players. This approach has helped teams like the Montreal Canadiens, the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins to championships.
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