I'm still failing to see the benefit of putting a guy like Ovie with pluggers. What sort of mental practice are you referring to? I have no idea what that means.
Might he move his feet a little more? Anything's possible. If we concede the point that he starts moving his feet a little more, will he keep it up once moved back? Magic 8 ball isn't so sure.
In a shortened season, yes, essentially throwing those minutes down an offense black hole could play a role in where they end up in the standings.
There may be no benefit but we won last game.
I theorize he is trying to make Ovi feel forced to shoot the puck. Mentally feel like he has to score the goals. It's that simple. Give him linemates that even you do not want him to pass to.
Ovi was and is attempting to adapt his game, heck he wanted to move to RW. Him wanting to move, is mental, right? Its in Ovi's head.
I assume you did not see Ovi with his passing hat on a lot more since Montreal, including just last game in the 1st period when he was in prime scoring position 2 times and attempted what rival 2 of the weakest passes in recent memory.
At RW he will use his legs more, and can pass more.
But that is not him - the experiment is over since its a short year, there is no time for that big a change.
Its back to regular old 500 shot Ovi.
I think Oates is getting desperate and wants him to get back to what he does best, just shoot the puck off LW largely not using his linemates at all to generate our teams best scoring chances.
If true, why give him 2 great linemates?
Its all a theory. A reporter can show their sack or thong and ask for us all.