A message had to be sent,” the Blues say, hoping that the players who were benched would respond.
Blues interim coach Drew Bannister made sure his message was understood following three third-period benchings over the weekend.
Bannister sat forwards Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Kasperi Kapanen in the third period of Saturday’s 6-1 loss to the Red Wings. Throughout the period, Thomas and Kyrou each played one shift, but Kapanen saw no ice time at all.
“As a staff member and myself, we felt that a message needed to be sent at that particular time,” Bannister remarked. Thus, we raised the standard. It will remain the same going ahead. The rules state that: You will most likely play less if you don’t live up to the standards.
Bannister told reporters that he had a conversation with every player one-on-one following practice on Monday.
“I will not abandon that; it is my responsibility to clarify the expectations and my thought process to them directly and face-to-face,” Bannister declared. To be clear, there were other players in that game who did not show up besides those three. You don’t think that 17 other players were playing to their expectations after the game when you find yourself 4-0 down or 6-1 ahead.
“We have to live up to their expectations, whether they come from the best players or the players who are helping them.”
Kyrou had 10:34 of ice time, Kapanen had 8:48, and Thomas had 12:03 of it. It was the least used game of the season for all three players.
“Everyone just played a bad game overall,” Kyrou remarked. All we need to do is improve collectively. It resembles a message to everyone saying, “It’s playoff time now.” Everyone needs to be prepared to play.
Reporters were unable to reach Thomas following practice on Monday.
Following one of the top line’s most productive games against the Islanders on Thursday night, Thomas and Kyrou made their decision. Thomas (three assists), Kyrou (two) against New Yorka total of eight points from goals).
Kyrou had six goals and five assists in his previous nine games going into the Detroit game. Thomas had scored 21 points in 13 games, continuing his remarkable season.
However, just 33 seconds into Detroit’s game against the Red Wings, Thomas and Kyrou were on the ice for the team’s first goal. Their entrapment in the neutral zone gave way to an odd-man rush. They were also in the ice when Detroit scored their second goal after a turnover in the offensive zone.
Kapanen has not scored a goal in the last 36 games, marking an extended slump for him. Since late November, he hasn’t frequently been on the power play, and over the last two games, his even-strength minutes have fallen below nine.
Bannister reported that his discussions with Kyrou, Kapanen, and Thomas went “very well.”
They’re experts, Bannister remarked. To tell the truth, I have been there before. It wasn’t to my liking. Being the person on the bench who is unable to compete with their teammates is something I dislike. They acknowledge that the situation
Kyrou: “Yes, I am undoubtedly more motivated. As I previously stated, everyone needs to be at the top of their game because it feels like the playoff hunt right now.
It’s Bannister’s most recent attempt to get the most out of his finest players.
After Buchnevich committed three hooking penalties in Tampa in December, he benched him late in the third period. In response, Buchnevich scored two goals and provided one assist in the Panthers’ next game.
In less noticeable, less severe instances, Marco Scandella recovered from three straight healthy scratches in the middle of January to establish himself as a dependable member of the Blues defense. After the Christmas and All-Star breaks, Jordan Binnington responded with extended periods of outstanding play when Joel Hofer was given starts.is not ideal, but they also accept it. They are aware that they must improve for the benefit of our team.
“They expect more from themselves,” Bannister said, “and I have no question they’re going to come out and they’re going to do everything in their power to make sure that we’re ready to start and we’re going to be contributors in a positive way for our team.”
The Blues have won five games where the opposition has scored first since Bannister started. In three of those games, they overcame deficits of at least two goals. Compared to Berube’s eight game-tying goals, they have scored twenty.
What’s the most effective way that Bannister has found to hold players accountable?
Bannister stated, “Having to sit them is the hardest way because it’s the stuff that you have to deal with after.” “I understand that there is a lot of discussion regarding the coach controlling a player’s ice time, but in my opinion, the player controls their own ice time. It’s their effort, their competitiveness, and their dedication to playing the gamaproperly. That actually determines it since if you have players who are willing to accomplish that, my job becomes easier.”
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