from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,
We’re told the subject of “independent coaching consultants” in general and Adam Oates in specific was broached when the GMs gathered a couple of weeks ago in Florida.
There are several “independent consultants” who work on technical matters with players throughout the NHL. John Tavares, for example, uses Darryl Belfry, as a skills coach, even while Belfry is under contract to the Maple Leafs as a consultant.
Club executives with whom we’ve spoken don’t have a problem with this. But there is angst (certainly there was in Minnesota) over the degree to which Oates has become involved with at least one of his clients in Zach Parise, where advice on technique and skills is believed to have bled into counsel regarding strategy and positioning on the ice that may have run counter to the club’s coaching staff’s approach. Oates also has been advising Steven Stamkos.
Again, the executives with whom we’ve spoken see no issue with players hiring skills coaches to conduct drills during the summer and who regularly communicate with their clients via video analysis throughout the season. Teams even encourage that.
But there is wariness regarding the prospect of “independent consultants” inserting themselves into the team’s business. Or maybe just wariness regarding Oates, the former head coach of the Caps and co-coach (or whatever the official title) of the Devils.
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