notDatsyuk
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2018
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Isles PP? Shouldn't this be moved to the 'fantasy hockey' sub-forum?
I really don't buy this "don't have the personnel" argument. Barzal is obviously a huge piece and is the type of guy you can build a high-end PP around. Elite zone entry ability and elite skating/vision/creativity. His ability to create space and find the open man is among the best in the league.
After that you have your "big bodied" guys in Lee and Nelson who you can park in front - both of them have good hands in tight. We have the big shot on the point in Pulock if we want to go that route and design something around getting him space to shoot with traffic in front. We have Tito who we can park on the right circle to use that one-timer which has proven to be pretty damn good. Bails is really good in the possession game and at the very least brings some good puck moving ability and vision to the table. He's not great with board battles but most high-end PP's aren't relied upon to do much battling along the boards. Set up shop and move the puck - get the PKers to chase until you get your high-end opportunity. This dump and chase garbage is a problem.
After that any of Eberle, Toews, JGP, and Leddy should be considered "good" options. Especially Leddy who is probably our 2nd best player as far as zone entry goes. Say what you want about Pageau but he's damn good in front of the net and does all the little things well. Leddy might be on the outs but guys like Wahlstrom, Bellows, and Dobson could become big pieces to PP1 and 2 going forward.
Ideally a RH sniper from the left dot would be a big add(Boeser/Wahlstrom if all goes well) but overall we have enough talent here to produce a quality PP with the right system/coach in place.
I don't know why Trotz doesn't use Pulock as a trigger man from Ovi's spot. He did it once this postseason and it worked to perfection.
I’d bet Ovi is quite a bit more accurate with his shot than Pulock. Not a good spot to miss the net from.I don't know why Trotz doesn't use Pulock as a trigger man from Ovi's spot. He did it once this postseason and it worked to perfection.
I know people are up in arms about the Isles power play not producing anything, but to me there's really nothing that can be done until more higher-end talent is added to this team.
I mean look at the top PPs in the league and consider the level of talent that they put out on the ice when they are 5 on 4...
Yes the PP sucks and yes we all want it to be better. And if your argument is "it only has to be marginally better" to take this team to the next level...Then Lou has to find a way to add "marginally better" talent. Find a way to sign Mike Hoffman (an actual "finisher") this summer and when the PP improves next year I won't give Trotz & co any more credit than blame I'm giving them now.
I think we have a superb coaching staff. In fact if our team had an MVP it would be that coaching staff because I think there are very few coaches out there that could take this team to the playoffs. And I think this staff is doing the best with what they have. Unfortunately when it comes to the one aspect of team play where you absolutely need top-end talent, that is clearly where this roster is lacking.
So for those out there that think the PP can be improved at all without improving the talent up front I think you're going to be complaining until Lou is actually able to do so.
Had a chance to win the series last night twice in the third period. Could not get it done. Will probably be the reason they lose this series.
Agreed turnovers killed them last. The Towes one is the worst one. Your up one on the pp third period. You cannot turn the puck over there at the blue line under any circumstances.So many moments to point to as reasons they lose the series. The most frustrating part is they're all self-inflicted.
As I stated in the other thread, the biggest culprit on that play is Trotz. No freaking way do you go with 1 D and 4 forwards for the PP when you're protecting the lead in the third period in an elimination game. You have 2 D-men 100% of the time. Brutal decision.Agreed turnovers killed them last. The Towes one is the worst one. Your up one on the pp third period. You cannot turn the puck over there at the blue line under any circumstances.
Amazingly, we're currently 12th in the league with a very respectable PP% of 25%, thanks to a whopping 41% success rate in February.
Also, I think it's funny that our second unit is better than the first unit and has been for a while now.
Just goes to show how a player like Wahlstrom with a legitimate high end shot and the smarts of knowing when to rip it or use it as a decoy to make a good pass can do for a PP.
We've been bitching about wanting/trading for a player like that (Laine, Hoffman, etc.), looks like we may have it already in our homegrown Wally.
We all saw the shot in all it's glory on his goal, but I loved seeing him draw 2 defenders to him before making the cross ice pass to Bailey that led to Pageau's goal last night. His assist to Nelson in the first Pens game showed me he's a lot more than that wicked shot too.
Guys without the puck are moving around more too.
We're still near the bottom of the league for PP opportunities (although nothing like last year) but maybe now teams will be more hesitant to risk taking cheap shots.
Every team with a true PP sniper deals with that. Some are lucky enough to have two or three. In any event, should Wahly be the consistent threat he is potentially showing himself to be it will open up space that has not previously existed and that should allow space and time for others to pot a few more. Early days and adjustments will undoubtedly be made should his upward trajectory continue but what a nice problem it would be to have for a change.The real question is how they respond when teams start covering Wahlstrom