The philosophical coaching approach is not working for these Blue Jackets

The 5th Line has reached its breaking point. I can say that from my own perspective, but also the perspective of other fans who I have seen calling out the entire Columbus Blue Jackets organization.

That's because this season was supposed to be different. General Manager Don Waddell gave up futures to improve this club over the summer, bringing in more veteran pieces to bolster a team that finished just one point out of a playoff spot last season.

As a result, expectations in Central Ohio may be higher than ever. As they should be. After last season, we were sold on this group being the one that finally bands together and brings this team to the level we have long yearned for them to reach.

Only, that has not happened. And, it's hard to look past the underlying issues here. This team is being held back by its coaching. There is no other way to describe it.

There is too much talent, and too much depth here for this team to continue to look for answers. They have one of the game's most dynamic defensemen. They've found that long sought-after top line center. They have a star scoring winger. They even have a star emerging in goal.

Yet we are now past the halfway point of the season, and instead of the Blue Jackets turning a corner and finding their winning ways, this team continues to flounder.

Tuesday night in San Jose, they should have been well rested and motivated to take it to a young team that was missing a third of its regular lineup. Instead, they stopped skating early, got away from their system late, and were embarrassed again as a result.

It's frustrating to watch. The most frustrating part of that game from a fan perspective however, was probably what went on during the late TV timeout that many of us noticed. CBJ Opinions pointed it out on X yesterday morning:

That post hits the nail right on the head. That's the perception we get when we watch this team. The Sharks got adjustments to their game plan, and motivation coming out of the TV timeout.

The Blue Jackets stood around and pondered as individuals. One side worked as a team. The other, well, the results speak for themselves. After that moment, the Sharks scored three times (twice on the empty net). The Blue Jackets scored once.

I know that Dean Evason isn't a big tactical coach. But, it's baffling to me that there is nothing for them to talk about when they are in a one goal game, and have everyone available for 90 seconds. They can see that the other team is doing it, just a few feet away.

Dean Evason isn't a tactician. Why isn't he motivating this club?

We live in the internet era. So, it's easy to pull up recent discussions and use his Dean's own words to understand his reasoning. Which is exactly what I'm going to do here. Give this interview a listen:

My biggest takeaway from this interview is this (on motivation):

"You have to pick and choose when you are going to step on someone or when you're going to pat them on the back. ... the sooner you can give it (team leadership) to the team, the better off we're going to be."

Dean Evason

The problem I have here is that this team's leadership clearly isn't getting the job done. That was certainly the case in the last two games. So, at what point does a coach step in and do something?

Every team, every game they play, they seem to be out-coached. When this team is firing on all cylinders, they look like they can beat anyone. But too often, we see them making the same mistakes in the third period, and then nothing changes.

No adjustments to their play style. No garbage cans kicked over. All while their opponents design new approaches during the game, or find a big shift to get themselves going. Or worse, they just flat out dominate the Jackets from the drop of the puck.

In the above interview, they talk about the Buffalo game and how the team banded together and got the job done. I agree, that was terrific. They had arguably their best game of the season.

But, what about the game in San Jose? What about the game before, when they stood around and watched the Pittsburgh Penguins absolutely pick them apart? Did any player on the bench speak up at any point? Should that really have been left up to the players when the game went the other way for such long stretches?

Conclusion

At some point, when your team continues to lose in the same fashion on a night in, night out basis; you have to try something new. So, if Dean Evason and his staff aren't changing the team's structure or tactical approach, and they aren't motivating during the game: what exactly are they doing here?

So yes, Dean. At some point, the 5th Line would like to see you kick over a garbage can, or bring some show of emotion to this group. This is now a veteran heavy team that should be able to take it. If not, maybe it's time to start the whole thing over again.

We're ready for a winner in Columbus. Not a philosophical coaching approach that sits back while the team gets flogged every night. The players on this roster have made it clear that they aren't ready to have the reins of motivation handed to them.