The reason we haven't been effective in my opinion is because teams have completely taken away the cross seem pass from wall to wall. That was our bread and butter for years. Marner would walk in on his strong side wing, and hit Matthews on his strong side and go shelf.
Teams have completely eliminated this pass from our PP. Which has caused a lot of circling back up to the point/rinse and repeats in hopes that the 2nd and 3rd attempt the window will get wider. Teams are not backing off. and why would they? we don't try anything else lol. Eliminate that pass, and you essentially will kill that PP at a 95% efficiency.
We need to move the personnel around a bit in my opinion. Here's what I'd do:
1. Move JT in front of the net where Nylander presently is. JT is not a great passer, and with that cross seem pass being eliminated they have had to utilize the bumper position a lot more. So many times plays have either ended by going to JT in the bumper, or he just burps it back out to where it came from. I've never seen JT take the pass in the bumper and go to the opposite side of the ice. always a shot on net, or back to where it came from. Extremely predictable. He Has a good catch and release from that spot, but he doesn't do it enough. He would be really effective down low getting rebounds and presenting himself as an option down low when the pucks are on the walls
2. Move mitch to the bumper. Mitch is the most creative player on the team. He can make plays in this position that JT just cannot do. Something that no one can game plan for. Give him creative freedom to make whatever play he wants. Not just the design turn and shoot, and burb back out that we see with JT. He will Draw so much attention that other lanes will naturally open up
3. Move willy to the wall. Willy presents himself as more of a threat to shoot than Mitch. And also has the ability to make those cross seem passes should they present themselves. He has a great shot on his strong side, or on his 1T side. (see below)
4. Lastly, have JT be more mobile in the net front position. Don't just staple him in front of the goalie. Our shooters can beat any goalie clean on any night. He needs to present himself as a passing option below the goal line when the puck is on the wall. It will make PK'ers move their sticks into other lanes, which will present more room to make plays in the middle of the ice.