St. Louis Blues: Yeo Coach! What’s Going On?

The St. Louis Blues might very well be asking their head coach Mike Yeo this very question, in light of some of the recent lineup changes.

While it would be hard to argue with the success of these moves, some might notice that they are suspiciously timed with Joel Quenneville‘s firing.  Some of the steps have been necessitated out of player injury, some were healthy scratches, and at least one is shrouded in a little controversy as to whether it is injury or performance related.

Pat Maroon might be most confused and/or have the biggest gripe as to what earns a player being a healthy scratch.  He has watched as almost every member of the D corps level of play should have deserved a trip to the press box this season.  Yet they continue to skate, and in the case of some rack up top ice time.

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Jay Bouwmeester has been a drag on this team both defensively and offensively from day one. Now I understand giving a veteran a little extra time to get up to speed before taking action, but you don’t have to be a great hockey coach to have seen that Jay Bou was struggling mightily.

No matter what level of competitive hockey you play, ice time is earned not given.  Now sometimes you get it based on past performance, especially with the same team, but you have to draw the line somewhere as a coach.  Then start reducing ice time and responsibilities accordingly.

Now Maroon has not quite lived up to expectations when he signed with the team; his play certainly has not been detrimental to the team. He has also played on every line and has not had consistent linemates to gel with during his short tenure here.

I am not defending Pat Maroon but attempting to understand what is the standard of play, and for how long, that is tolerated before a player is given the hook.  I think others on the Blues are wondering the same thing.

What happens when Yeo gives Chad Johnson the old Carter Hutton treatment?  How Is the team going to respond again, to the statistically better goalie being benched in favor of the bonus baby? What message does this send to the players about earning your spot on the team, yet again?

The new desperate to keep his job Mike Yeo seems to be coaching more like he should have been since day one.  The team seems to be responding, and even in Sunday’s loss didn’t look like the same team that lost to the Wild a week prior.

Now seemingly that he is trying to save his job from coach Q, real or perceived, he seems to be a different coach.  While we only have a three-game sample of the new Mike Yeo, will he stick around and will the team continue to their improved play?

I think Wednesday’s game against the Hawks will show us which coach Yeo we will get long term.  Will he stick with Chad Johnson and the same lines that have produced success, in spite of Sunday’s loss, or revert to the old lines and goalie that did not.