Coach keeps saying the team needs to find its identity, this is a common statement with coaches who"s team hasn't gelled or isnt playing well early on.
I cant decide, probably a little of both, is it that the team hasn't for whatever reason yet conformed to what the coach wants as an identity, or is it that the players as a team havent developed how they are going to be/play as a team.
One of these identity things is that coach wants hard work, I get it and agree. Nothing wrong with this, a big piece of hockey is just that.
Another desired identity that I see from Barr, sort of a Red carry over, is to play physical and fore check deep in the boards, alot, I get this too. But his recruits have to be suited for this style, the smaller guys aren't really. Elite players may not want to play this style (putting nli money aside), who often are the stronger skilled guys. I suppose he is trying to find a blend of players, small fast crafty with physical guys. This is the tougher identity to be good at - I think.