Confirmed with Link: Derek Lalonde named New Head Coach

[Henkka]

Just this summer he said that he could be an NHL assistant. No takers though.

There's an NHL clause to break the Tappara deal, for pretty sure. Maybe not for first season, but after that.

 

[Gniwder]

Everyone on the team has at least one "credited" hit per game with the following exceptions:
- goalies (we don't need Ned taking any more interference penalties, lol)
- Suter
- Elmer
- Copp (I don't think he was fully healed, looked better in the Caps game)
- Raymond
- DBoss (a bit surprising)

Seems Fester likes a physical game and the numbers match the eye test.

 

[Gniwder]

I am impressed with the adjustments to the PP.

I guess Blash set the bar really low, but the puck movement and set up for the back door play is so much better than anything we've seen in years. Literally.

 

[Henkka]

I am impressed with the adjustments to the PP.

I guess Blash set the bar really low, but the puck movement and set up for the back door play is so much better than anything we've seen in years. Literally.

It was Tanguay setting up both this and last season power-plays.

We just have better players now.

 

[Sentinel]

I really hope "Newsy" sticks. As both coach and a nickname.

 

[Ezekial]

I really hope "Newsy" sticks. As both coach and a nickname.

Pretty sure the nickname has stuck, been his nickname for like 30+ years

 

[FabricDetails]

I really hope "Newsy" sticks. As both coach and a nickname.

It took me a hot minute to realize it wasn't a typo and people here weren't talking about @newfy

 

[Ricelund]

It took me a hot minute to realize it wasn't a typo and people here weren't talking about @newfy

Or a prior incarnation of @MBH.

 

[Ezekial]

Or a prior incarnation of @MBH.

I miss the old Redder Winger days. MBH change your name back!

 

[norrisnick]

Or a prior incarnation of @MBH.

Newsguyone?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Through 12 games:

8th in PK percentage (82.05%) NJD, BOS and BUF were really rough, but they've been in pretty much every other game. 6 of the 7 PPGs against came in these 3 games.

18th in PP percentage (20.45%) They scored 0 PPGs in the first 3 games. They've scored 9 PPGs in the last 9 games.

I would say that's a realgud improvement from last season.

 

[Gniwder]

It was Tanguay setting up both this and last season power-plays.

We just have better players now.

It was Tanguay running it last season because Blash doesn't know crap about PP. Fester probably has more input than Blash did.

Regardless they've made adjustments THIS season. Both Perron and Kuby have that shoot or pass back door option when the net front guy slides back so he can use his forehand. That is not something they did at all last season. When they did pass to the net front guy, he was always faced the wrong way and had to do a 180 to shoot. What they are doing this season makes way more sense. Not sure about Vrana, but Bert could easily make the same decision or play net front like Kuby did in OT. Perron and Kuby are doing well, but Bert is in the same tier of players for PP passing and shooting.

Also, I've noticed Larkin is showing more patience and better puck decisions. Not forcing the shot as much, working the puck. Deferring to the QB when there isn't an opening.

Remember the PP sucked at the beginning of this season too, but the gameplan has definitely changed since. I like what I'm seeing now. They could have easily scored another PP goal during regulation, Halak absolutely stoned Raymond.

Through 12 games:

8th in PK percentage (82.05%) NJD, BOS and BUF were really rough, but they've been in pretty much every other game. 6 of the 7 PPGs against came in these 3 games.

18th in PP percentage (20.45%) They scored 0 PPGs in the first 3 games. They've scored 9 PPGs in the last 9 games.

I would say that's a realgud improvement from last season.

And realgud improvement from the start of the season. that was my point....