Speculation: Power Play Discussion

[FonRiesen]

Part of the issue is Wheeler has only one place to go with his pass.

I'm not arguing that the PP isn't pretty bad and that coaching is a part of it, but it's a little tiresome of this attitude that Laine is doing absolutely nothing wrong and it's only the incompetence of the coaching staff that he hasn't hit 50 goals yet. He has some things in his game that he needs to improve upon himself to do that, and part of that is not standing still on the power play.

I know what you're saying, though he has 3 other options than Laine: one is ineffective (we don't have Buff) and Schief & KC struggle to get open because they don't move enough either, and are constantly covered whenever they're a threat. There were a few attempts to add movement, but it's like they never practiced the PP (I've heard people say that it's not necessary - can't remember if that was Mau or a poster).

It really doesn't help that Wheeler has lost a small step, and we don't have Buff to be Buff. Oh, and our best player at gaining the zone doesn't play on PP1 - they should really be designing a PP around Ehlers' movement IMO (at least try it - can't be worse that what we have).

 

[tbcwpg]

I know what you're saying, though he has 3 other options than Laine: one is ineffective (we don't have Buff) and Schief & KC struggle to get open because they don't move enough either, and are constantly covered whenever they're a threat. There were a few attempts to add movement, but it's like they never practiced the PP (I've heard people say that it's not necessary - can't remember if that was Mau or a poster).

It really doesn't help that Wheeler has lost a small step, and we don't have Buff to be Buff. Oh, and our best player at gaining the zone doesn't play on PP1 - they should really be designing a PP around Ehlers' movement IMO (at least try it - can't be worse that what we have).

Losing Buff on the PP has made it that much worse, more of an impact of whatever Wheeler or Laine are doing. Unfortunately that's not something that can be easily replaced either on the FA market, in the system, or already on the team.

 

[DRW204]

It does, and that might be it -- I'll try to find it.

Ehlers has played off-wing plenty but he may well prefer not to play it on the PP.

EDIT: Here it is -- from a game against SJ, from noted Jets and PoMo fan Paul Friesen. Article also contains a moan from Roslo:

Roslovic wants respect of a veteran ... Ehlers declines job on first power-play unit ... Lowry says he won't change | Winnipeg Sun

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS
Another interesting note coming out of the San Jose post-game yak sessions was the revelation from Maurice that Ehlers turned down a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit.
“Nikolaj didn’t want to be there,” Maurice said. “That’s not a negative thing. He would prefer to run downhill on his natural side on the other unit.”
A day earlier, Maurice had said Ehlers would take a front-line spot on the No. 1 unit as a reward. He’s the team’s leading scorer, after all.
“And then the power-play guys talked and Nikky came back and said, ‘I prefer to be on the other unit on my natural side.’ It happens,” Maurice said. “Everybody by the time they get to the NHL is usually fairly specific about what they’re good at on the power play.
“Not a lot of guys want to work the slot, anyway. That’s the dark hole there.”
The Jets, ranked in the bottom third in the NHL, went 0-for-2 with the extra man against the Sharks.

Unclear to me why Ehlers would have been placed in the slot, and not surprised he turned it down, and sounds like PoMo wasn't either. Sorta like my youngest offering me a bite of the Twizzler he's been using as a milkstraw during Sweetie Saturday lunch.

yea idk if Ehlers in the slot would be the best bet. i wonder who he was planning on taking off though. But even then, Ehlers said he does not want to be on his off-wing so subbing him for Wheeler is not something he'd want to do from the sounds of it.

 

[surixon]

It does, and that might be it -- I'll try to find it.

Ehlers has played off-wing plenty but he may well prefer not to play it on the PP.

EDIT: Here it is -- from a game against SJ, from noted Jets and PoMo fan Paul Friesen. Article also contains a moan from Roslo:

Roslovic wants respect of a veteran ... Ehlers declines job on first power-play unit ... Lowry says he won't change | Winnipeg Sun

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS
Another interesting note coming out of the San Jose post-game yak sessions was the revelation from Maurice that Ehlers turned down a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit.
“Nikolaj didn’t want to be there,” Maurice said. “That’s not a negative thing. He would prefer to run downhill on his natural side on the other unit.”
A day earlier, Maurice had said Ehlers would take a front-line spot on the No. 1 unit as a reward. He’s the team’s leading scorer, after all.
“And then the power-play guys talked and Nikky came back and said, ‘I prefer to be on the other unit on my natural side.’ It happens,” Maurice said. “Everybody by the time they get to the NHL is usually fairly specific about what they’re good at on the power play.
“Not a lot of guys want to work the slot, anyway. That’s the dark hole there.”
The Jets, ranked in the bottom third in the NHL, went 0-for-2 with the extra man against the Sharks.

Unclear to me why Ehlers would have been placed in the slot, and not surprised he turned it down, and sounds like PoMo wasn't either. Sorta like my youngest offering me a bite of the Twizzler he's been using as a milkstraw during Sweetie Saturday lunch.

Ehlers played in the Wheeler spot all throughout junior hockey and did it quite well. So yeah I call BS that Ehelers wouldn't play on his offside on the number 1 PP. Sure I can see him not wanting to play in the slot when he likes to have the pick on his stick on the pp. Another fine example of coaching yet again by Maurice to offer a player a position that doesn't suit their game as a "promotion".

 

[ecolad]

One of the main issues is the lack of movement across the blue line from the point. Something we had much more of from Buff. Washington does this much more, which allows Ovie to shift up and down more and makes it harder for the PK to keep track of him as closely.
That said, Laine’s movement could be better regardless, that includes when he has the puck on his stick as well.

The PP struggleS in a number of ways, it needs new life. Laine doesn’t get a pass in my book though.

It`s my view that the jets would be better served to fundamentally change the PP to a 1:3:1 set up, with nobody set up behind the net as at present. This type of setup requires quick, skilled players at each position who can read/react on the fly, but the Jets have such players. Put Laine(RHS) on the left, Scheifele in the middle,and Connor(LHS) on the right, with Wheeler in front of the net and Morrissey(LHS) at the blueline in the middle of the ice at top of the formation. Any of Morrissey/Laine/Connor can qb the attack on net, using a multiplicity of triangles. And the defenders can`t cheat to any one shooter. All of the players have to of course be prepared to backcheck hard in the event the puck is turned over. But rewards far outweigh risks. Any thoughts?

 

[FonRiesen]

80 mins sample over 3 years? is this enough to make a stamping conclusion that the line is better than ESW that has 600+ mins together over the past 3 years? I don't disagree that ESL should be used. I was a proponent of having Wheeler a 2C with Connor and another RW flanking him. But Stastny's acquisition might have changed that.

if we want to play the small sample game Harkins/Scheifele/Wheeler this past year had 75 CF%, 100 GF%, 75% xGF. But just think over a larger share of mins ESW has performed the best over the past 2 years as a Jets top line. in 18-19 it was far superior to CSW and LSW. i don't think it was used much this year though, but still think we need Ehlers on that top line more than any other of the 3 Wingers

i actually didn't raelize ESL had that many mins together this past year. I would have like to seen that line if wheeler was at 2c to get KC off the top line and roll with

I totally agree that it's not a large enough sample size to make predictions. But it begs the question: with those Actual Results, why aren't the sample sizes getting bigger? I know in the past they were split up when Little went down and Schief graduated to the political 1st line.

From an advanced stats perspective I feel that Ehlers should be getting more love from the coach, but this is a Laine thread...

 

[surixon]

yea idk if Ehlers in the slot would be the best bet. i wonder who he was planning on taking off though. But even then, Ehlers said he does not want to be on his off-wing so subbing him for Wheeler is not something he'd want to do from the sounds of it.

That is BS by our coach, Ehlers played on his offside on the PP in Wheeler's spot for Halifax in the Q. He would take that role quite quickly if it was offered to him but we all know Moe won't do that.

 

[DRW204]

I totally agree that it's not a large enough sample size to make predictions. But it begs the question: with those Actual Results, why aren't the sample sizes getting bigger? I know in the past they were split up when Little went down and Schief graduated to the political 1st line.

From an advanced stats perspective I feel that Ehlers should be getting more love from the coach, but this is a Laine thread...

don't disagree at all. i can see why he didn't use it in 18-19, ehlers was hurt and Laine was abysmal at 5v5. but last year i thought it could have been used more. I don't think Connor and Laine mesh well at 5v5 and Ehlers is our best 5v5 winger, and should get more TOI

last 2 seasons,

 

[DRW204]

That is BS by our coach, Ehlers played on his offside on the PP in Wheeler's spot for Halifax in the Q. He would take that role quite quickly if it was offered to him but we all know Moe won't do that.

i guess you're entitled to believe whatever you want to believe? if maurice is lying through his teeth i doubt that'd go over well with Ehlers and the team for that matter.

 

[surixon]

i guess you're entitled to believe whatever you want to believe? if maurice is lying through his teeth i doubt that'd go over well with Ehlers and the team for that matter.

Maurice lies through his teeth to the media all the time. Sure I bet Ehelers turned down the slot role because he would rather play his offside on pp number 2 then stand in the slot. But I bet if Wheeler went down to injury and Ehelers was asked to fill in for him he'd be licking his chops.

Context is important here. Ehlers likely doesn't want to play on his offside in the slot or down low in the Conner spot as he likes to control things from up high and walk in and shoot. So he would rather stay in a role he is comfortable in then a role he is not. He can't play that role on PP1 as Wheeler is cemented there.

 

[Weezeric]

That is BS by our coach, Ehlers played on his offside on the PP in Wheeler's spot for Halifax in the Q. He would take that role quite quickly if it was offered to him but we all know Moe won't do that.

Maurice can’t win with some people. If he does what a young player wants he gets called a liar. If he doesn’t give them what they want, he hates young players.

 

[surixon]

Maurice can’t win with some people. If he does what a young player wants he gets called a liar. If he doesn’t give them what they want, he hates young players.

So you think he wouldn't play in Wheelers role if offered it given that is the role he played for Halifax in junior?

Its not about offside its about role, sure I believe Ehelerd turned it down but he turned it down due to the role offered not because of what side of the ice it was on.

 

[Atoyot]

i guess you're entitled to believe whatever you want to believe? if maurice is lying through his teeth i doubt that'd go over well with Ehlers and the team for that matter.

It's possible to be technically truthful but misleading. Maurice never said that Ehlers didn't want to play the half wall, he said he prefers to play down his own wing. Prefers it to what? Net front/bumper spot? Slot? Can almost guarantee he was never offered the half wall with Wheeler there and putting him net front is a waste of his skills.

 

[DRW204]

It's possible to be technically truthful but misleading. Maurice never said that Ehlers didn't want to play the half wall, he said he prefers to play down his own wing. Prefers it to what? Net front/bumper spot? Slot? Can almost guarantee he was never offered the half wall.

I don't think he was offered the half-wall, but i think wheeler is the better passer compared to ehlers there. i do think ehlers in connor's spot would work well. i think he can do everything connor can do, while adding the zone entries.

what did buff do so often and so well on the pp? carry the puck, go behind the net, and distribute it from there. i don't see why ehlers can't do the same.

being a LHS means he can probably get it to Wheeler faster if he's coming down the LW and behind the net. Wheeler's passing prowess can go cross ice to Laine or to Scheifele in the slot while the PKers are still scrambling

 

[ecolad]

Sure it gets a bit repetitive and I get that its a bit if a cop out. Having said that as per those charts posted there isn't a heck of amount of difference between where he was shooting from in his big year 17-18 and now.

Where he needs to improve is getting his shot back to where it was two years ago. That will help the PP.

I would expect his shooting percentages to go up significantly if the Jets were to change the PP so there were a mutiplicity of scoring threats on both sides of the ice, as well as the blueline. It distills down to defenders and goalies not being able to cheat and get into defensive posture like they do currently. And with Morrissey serving as qb from the center of the ice, it would be decidedly easier to complete a quick, timely, accurate pass to either Laine or Connor,both of whom are excellent on the one-timer. With the ice effectively cut in half, Morrissey`s job would be much easier.

 

[surixon]

Did you read the quote? He wanted to play on his strong side. That’s where Laine plays. It would totally change the way pp1 is set up. That wouldn’t be a bad thing necessarily in my books but a big change for sure.

I read the quote but look at it like this. Would you rather play in your offside in the slot or on your strong side on PP2. Naturally he is going to prefer playing his strong side on PP2 over playing in the slot.

 

[surixon]

I would expect his shooting percentages to go up significantly if the Jets were to change the PP so there were a mutiplicity of scoring threats on both sides of the ice, as well as the blueline. It distills down to defenders and goalies not being able to cheat and get into defensive posture like they do currently. And with Morrissey serving as qb from the center of the ice, it would be decidedly easier to complete a quick, timely, accurate pass to either Laine or Connor,both of whom are excellent on the one-timer. With the ice effectively cut in half, Morrissey`s job would be much easier.

That is the Tampa Model or one of the variations that the Seleanne/Kariya Ducks ran. I have been advocating for something similar for a while.

Keep Scheifele in the slot and get a better front presence and I think we are good.

 

[DRW204]

im not even a maurice fan. but i don't think i would sub ehlers for wheeler. but for connor im on board with, along with making him the primary puck carrier on the pp. Wheeler is one of the best playmakers in the league. i know it's the cool thing to do to hate on wheeler, but taking him off the pp is not the way to go imo

Maurice can’t win with some people. If he does what a young player wants he gets called a liar. If he doesn’t give them what they want, he hates young players.

 

[Farmboy Patty]

Laine is absolutely the least of the issue on the PP. I say that while agreeing he hasn't been capitalizing on his chances as well the last couple seasons.

The issue on the PP is that there is one play. Get it to Wheeler and he can try to go across ice or to the middle. That's it. That is literally our entire PP. It's pathetic.

This is so true. Another reason is that we are sorely missing a proper QB on the PP. Watching Pionk telegraph passes to Laine in slowmotion was driving me nuts last season, and Laine didn’t seem to enjoy them either. Half of the time he would just return the puck because the shot easn’t there anymore. Our PP will instantly become better when we get a QB who can rip it, walk the blueline and pass the puck like he means it.

 

[Weezeric]

im not even a maurice fan. but i don't think i would sub ehlers for wheeler. but for connor im on board with, along with making him the primary puck carrier on the pp. Wheeler is one of the best playmakers in the league. i know it's the cool thing to do to hate on wheeler, but taking him off the pp is not the way to go imo

Agreed, especially because at that time Wheeler was a 90 point, powerplay specialist.

 

[surixon]

Everyone is being asked to get the puck to Laine on the PP - unfortunately, if he's not moving, the only real options are the seam or from the point. You don't see everyone standing around on PP2 - do you really think Moe is telling one PP to stand still while the other gets to free wheel?

I'd like to see Laine create a little on his own - and then it doesn't have to go through Wheels / Pionk. Why does he always throw it back to the point when he can't get his shot off? Because he wants it back so that he can take anther crack at the one timer. He's not looking for another play and he's not taking it to the net for another angle with his shot - why?

The other option is to change it all up and stop making Laine the prime target - but that would mean less Laine - that won't go over well.

You need multiple targets on your PP. Having multiple targets hasn't lead to less goals/offense for Kuch, point, Hedman and Stamkos in Tampa. I would like to see things completely revamped for next year, Laine will still get his looks and his PP goals.

PP 2 freewheels because there doesn't appear to be any set plays unlike PP one. PP2 also doesn't have any obvious triggerman which also plays a role in them needing more movement and misdirection to create chances. Each unit is asked to do different things due in large part to personnel.

 

[Jets 31]

Pionk isn't a #1 PP QB and Wheeler is getting too slow and predictable. Maybe try Morrissey at the start of the season and definitely put Ehlers on the #1 PP . That puts Stastny and Wheeler together with maybe Frenchie for the 2nd unit . I would probably try Harkins there instead of Frenchie but that's just me.

 

[tbcwpg]

Pionk isn't a #1 PP QB and Wheeler is getting too slow and predictable. Maybe try Morrissey at the start of the season and definitely put Ehlers on the #1 PP . That puts Stastny and Wheeler together with maybe Frenchie for the 2nd unit . I would probably try Harkins there instead of Frenchie but that's just me.

Morrissey being a lefty makes it more awkward to make the pass to Laine to take the shot he likes.

 

[LowLefty]

You need multiple targets on your PP. Having multiple targets hasn't lead to less goals/offense for Kuch, point, Hedman and Stamkos in Tampa. I would like to see things completely revamped for next year, Laine will still get his looks and his PP goals.

PP 2 freewheels because there doesn't appear to be any set plays unlike PP one. PP2 also doesn't have any obvious triggerman which also plays a role in them needing more movement and misdirection to create chances. Each unit is asked to do different things due in large part to personnel.

I agree - I'd also prefer we have a PP with multiple targets - but our is set up around Laine.
IMO, that's a big part of why it's so stagnant - unlike PP2.

 

[surixon]

Morrissey being a lefty makes it more awkward to make the pass to Laine to take the shot he likes.

True but imo the point pass to Laine is the lowest percentage play to tee up his shot. Where Morrissey and his vision and playmaking and slap pass comes in handy is if we switch Conner for Wheeler and set up the point to half wall shot on that side. Conner has a good shot and since we load up the PP on that side a shot from that side is more likely to generate a rebound/tip chances off of a Conner one timer. Having Conner there still allows the cross seam pass to Laine and putting Stastney down low should also open up the back door pass to Laine. Both of those plays imo are much higher percentage looks for him. Morrissey getting him the puck a bit slower then Pionk wont make a material difference if teams no longer are playing him as tightly due having to respect Conner's shot.

Also as mentioned I would like to see Laine start to create his own looks on the PP. Him walking it in ala Mackinnon and shooting will also pull PKs apart.