Yesterday we learned that Derek Lalonde, Red Wings assistant coach and former teammate of John Cooper, provided some important information regarding Andrei Vasilevskiy that could seriously affect the Bolt goalkeeper.
In short, the former Lightning assistant coach revealed Vasilevskiy’s supposed problem.
“We did a study… He was one of the lowest guards in finding pucks from the point… We completely changed the D-zone (coverage).”
Then Cooper replied.
The Bullets’ head coach stated that Lalonde’s statement was untrue and that reports about Vasilevsky’s alleged weakness were false.
“Sportsnet pays him well for his opinion, so he has to come up with something about things like this.” – John Cooper
“He’s only there because he was an assistant coach on that team. So he’s trying to give insight and trying to give something relevant to the fans, and He just has to make sure they are accurate.via Lightning Insider
Any coach would probably do the same to protect their player. However, the Leafs are sure to attempt a lot of shots from the blue line in the next game.
The timing isn’t great because if the Leafs defeat Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay’s season will be over.
The series resumes tonight in Toronto.
John Cooper was asked about Derek Lalonde’s comments on Sportsnet regarding Vasilevskiy “He’s there because he was an assistant coach on this team. So he’s trying to provide insight and trying to give the fans something and he should do that. He just has to make sure it’s accurate.”
– Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) April 26, 2023