Watch CBS News

Coach Jacques Martin Discusses His Influence On Pens' New Style Of Play

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - New Penguins' assistant coach Jacques Martin has been credited with bringing a new, more defensive style of play to the Pens this year, and he talked with Joe Starkey of Starkey, Miller and Mueller about what exactly it is that he does in his coaching role.

"I think my role is more of an adviser," Martin said.  "I think where Dan (Bylsma) does a tremendous job of getting input from all the coaches, some of my work is breaking down the games as far as the scoring chances for and against and offering some of the feedback after our games as well as contributing in the pre-scouting, and then just give my opinion when asked on either on personnel or on the way we're playing."

Martin has a reputation as a defensive guru, but says he doesn't see his coaching abilities as narrowed down to just one area and talks about the philosophies he has always taught.

"My philosophy has always been when you have the puck you're on offense, when you don't have the puck you're on defense," he said. "To me, if you play good defense, it creates a lot more offense.  Playing good defense doesn't mean sitting back.  As we've shown here with this hockey club, they're very aggressive in the fore-checking, very aggressive at times in the neutral zone. I think that's the key to me."

Things wrapped up with Martin talking about his past coaching days and what it was like coaching against some of the past Penguins' teams.

Jacques Martin

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.