stuart5035
Registered User
- Apr 9, 2017
- 328
- 338
I never thought I’d post twice within days but I came across an article today that both excites me, yet annoys me......
In my other recent post I deplored the ineffective offensive zone presence of our Leafs-I have been frustrated all year watching them skate around the periphery of the slot, endlessly turning the puck over because of ineffective shots from way out, never really exerting pressure in the high scoring areas (I even wondered if it was just my imagination that opponents seemed to be far more dangerous in our end, despite CORSI being on our side). Especially frustrated with this poor offensive play because of unending media comments about our offensive talent.
Then along comes today’s article:
It’s a must read I believe: Go to “hockey writers.com” and click on “Maple Leafs offence, not defence, causing concern”. Then read about the Dave Hakstol effect.
I’m left wondering:
1-If it is that simple, why hasn’t it been addressed? Once a problem is identified, a solution should be forthcoming. Why was this guy hired in the first place, if it’s accurate?
2- They are well aware of it but lack the personnel (the grit, the will) to go to the sweet spots, and have reverted to a “periphery “ offence.
3-Other teams know it and simply tell their five players to form a wall around the sweet spots (it always seems the Leafs face an impenetrable defensive wall in front of the opponents goal, at least to me, and that hopeless shot from a distance is easily blocked and turned over).
4-Is what’s missing here a few less Travis Moore types (good heart but so small) and a few more Josh Anderson’s (a bulldog) and a willingness to attack the slot? And go to the boards and hit?
5-Is this more over-coaching and “systems” instead of letting the forwards ad lib?
Just my take, and a little excitement at what may be an answer to a Leaf ailment. I realize the sample size is small, but it sure explains a lot, I think. However, there are others more knowledgeable than me, perhaps I’m a little naive here to be excited at what I see as a possible answer to our offensive woes (I think I read today that we are like 19th now on the power play, not even top 10 in offence.) But if it has merit, why isn’t it being addressed? Is it that stubborn mule of a coach? And I realize this could be all for naught as the Leafs rise to new heights beginning tonight against the Islanders, with a “back to the walls, no Marner, “do or die”, playoffs could be in doubt mentality” and really hit their stride.
Go ahead and vilify this entire thought process if you must-but I thought it intriguing and worth a post.
In my other recent post I deplored the ineffective offensive zone presence of our Leafs-I have been frustrated all year watching them skate around the periphery of the slot, endlessly turning the puck over because of ineffective shots from way out, never really exerting pressure in the high scoring areas (I even wondered if it was just my imagination that opponents seemed to be far more dangerous in our end, despite CORSI being on our side). Especially frustrated with this poor offensive play because of unending media comments about our offensive talent.
Then along comes today’s article:
It’s a must read I believe: Go to “hockey writers.com” and click on “Maple Leafs offence, not defence, causing concern”. Then read about the Dave Hakstol effect.
I’m left wondering:
1-If it is that simple, why hasn’t it been addressed? Once a problem is identified, a solution should be forthcoming. Why was this guy hired in the first place, if it’s accurate?
2- They are well aware of it but lack the personnel (the grit, the will) to go to the sweet spots, and have reverted to a “periphery “ offence.
3-Other teams know it and simply tell their five players to form a wall around the sweet spots (it always seems the Leafs face an impenetrable defensive wall in front of the opponents goal, at least to me, and that hopeless shot from a distance is easily blocked and turned over).
4-Is what’s missing here a few less Travis Moore types (good heart but so small) and a few more Josh Anderson’s (a bulldog) and a willingness to attack the slot? And go to the boards and hit?
5-Is this more over-coaching and “systems” instead of letting the forwards ad lib?
Just my take, and a little excitement at what may be an answer to a Leaf ailment. I realize the sample size is small, but it sure explains a lot, I think. However, there are others more knowledgeable than me, perhaps I’m a little naive here to be excited at what I see as a possible answer to our offensive woes (I think I read today that we are like 19th now on the power play, not even top 10 in offence.) But if it has merit, why isn’t it being addressed? Is it that stubborn mule of a coach? And I realize this could be all for naught as the Leafs rise to new heights beginning tonight against the Islanders, with a “back to the walls, no Marner, “do or die”, playoffs could be in doubt mentality” and really hit their stride.
Go ahead and vilify this entire thought process if you must-but I thought it intriguing and worth a post.