Canadiens1958
Registered User
In a mini tribute to four of the latest HHOF inductees Ray Ferraro makes comments about Brett Hull:
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/ray_ferraro/?id=297696
briefly relating how Brett Hull had the knack to create passing lanes(scoring opportunities as opposed to non-productive passing) for his teammates - the ability to see or anticipate openings moments before they happen and avoiding "useless" ice in the offensive zone - staying away from areas of the offensive zone where a player may look open but is not in a position to contribute(score or pass) and risks getting caught defensively.
To a large extent these two attributes go together and are shared by many great players - Orr, Gretzky, Howe, Lemieux. Also explain to a large extent why certain players - Joe Thornton, Alex Kovalev while producing interesting stats at times, create frustration for their teams and fans more often than not.
From a historic perspective some of the great teams mastered these two qualities - the 1960's Leafs being a prime example. Others like the Senators under Jacques Martin in the playoffs against the Leafs looked great by controlling "useless" ice and losing. Also true for the Bob Berry coached Canadiens before Jacques Lemaire took over as coach.
Let's look at teams and players who had or lacked these two attributes. Creating positive passing lanes and avoiding "useless" ice.
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/ray_ferraro/?id=297696
briefly relating how Brett Hull had the knack to create passing lanes(scoring opportunities as opposed to non-productive passing) for his teammates - the ability to see or anticipate openings moments before they happen and avoiding "useless" ice in the offensive zone - staying away from areas of the offensive zone where a player may look open but is not in a position to contribute(score or pass) and risks getting caught defensively.
To a large extent these two attributes go together and are shared by many great players - Orr, Gretzky, Howe, Lemieux. Also explain to a large extent why certain players - Joe Thornton, Alex Kovalev while producing interesting stats at times, create frustration for their teams and fans more often than not.
From a historic perspective some of the great teams mastered these two qualities - the 1960's Leafs being a prime example. Others like the Senators under Jacques Martin in the playoffs against the Leafs looked great by controlling "useless" ice and losing. Also true for the Bob Berry coached Canadiens before Jacques Lemaire took over as coach.
Let's look at teams and players who had or lacked these two attributes. Creating positive passing lanes and avoiding "useless" ice.
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