WGR: Willis: 'I think Buffalo is a good fit' for Todd McLellan

[Buffaloed]

Jonathan Willis from The Athletic: Edmonton joined Schopp and the Bulldog to talk McLellan rumors and more
Willis: 'I think Buffalo is a good fit' for Todd McLellan
Have to wait for BN's writers to weigh in. lol

Willis on McLellan's potential fit with the Sabres:
"I think Buffalo is a good fit. He's been around the block and he knows what's up. He might not be the guy to lead you to the Stanley Cup, but he's not a guy that you'll find in the bottom-five. His system is geared to 70-30 puck battles. There's a clear plan to get the puck back. He really breaks down defenses well and sets the offense up to constantly pressure the defense... He can get stubborn, though. He seems to like the guys he likes. He does have a history with aggressive defense, but he's a strong fundamentals coach. In Edmonton, he didn't have the horses to get it done."

Willis on McLellan choosing between Buffalo and the LA Kings:
"Personally, I'd rather coach the Sabres than the Kings. Los Angeles is starting from further behind, just look at the age group of their top players."

Click to read more...

 

[Revelate]

I’m dumb, what does geared towards 70-30 puck battles mean?

 

[Chainshot]

I’m dumb, what does geared towards 70-30 puck battles mean?

Winning 70%. Having support to win the puck.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I’m dumb, what does geared towards 70-30 puck battles mean?

Dump and chase?

 

[OkimLom]

I’m dumb, what does geared towards 70-30 puck battles mean?

50-50 puck battles = 1 on 1 battles

70-30 puck battles = 2 on 1, 3 on 2 battles for example.

In short, what other teams do to us, and why we get hemmed in our zone a lot.

 

[Revelate]

50-50 puck battles = 1 on 1 battles

70-30 puck battles = 2 on 1, 3 on 2 battles for example.

In short, what other teams do to us, and why we get hemmed in our zone a lot.

Okay, that’s what I assumed. Thank to you and everyone else who replied.

That is a positive imo.

 

[Sabre Dance]

50-50 puck battles = 1 on 1 battles

70-30 puck battles = 2 on 1, 3 on 2 battles for example.

In short, what other teams do to us, and why we get hemmed in our zone a lot.

Thanks, I had no idea what it meant.

 

[Baccus]

Just think, we could peak our heads out of the stone age and maybe have something that resembles puck support!

Next you'll tell me he's going to get rid of the man on man defensive "coverage"!

I'm falling in love! Or I started drinking early... is there a difference?

 

[jd1970]

The one thing Willis forgot is the incompetent owner.
This is not a good landing spot for an established coach.
I'd be shocked if he was dumb enough to sign here.

 

[Gabrielor]

50-50 puck battles = 1 on 1 battles

70-30 puck battles = 2 on 1, 3 on 2 battles for example.

In short, what other teams do to us, and why we get hemmed in our zone a lot.

f***ing HUGE.

I was driven to hatred and madness at how many times guys skated away from a board pin or double team chance to 'be in position'.

I'm starting to really like the idea of tmac

 

[Doohickie]

I’m dumb, what does geared towards 70-30 puck battles mean?

Winning 70%. Having support to win the puck.

I took it to mean don't get out of position chasing after a 50-50 puck, but rather go after the loose pucks you have a clear advantage on, and to structure the team's positioning to have active puck support without losing position in the zone.

 

[GellMann]

There is no coach that doesn't say things that sound really attractive. Y'all drooled over Housley's "five man attack" talk.

We'll see what actually happens on the ice eh?

 

[Djp]