Speculation: 2024-2025 General Lightning Discussion II Wanted: actually special teams and bottom 6 edition

[Stormbreaker]

The Jack Adams trophy really is a kiss of death.

 

[Stammertime91]

The Jack Adams trophy really is a kiss of death.

On that note, Coop probably wins it next year and gets fired the year after.

 

[These Are The Days]

I am disappointed but coming around to the idea that maybe next year is our year. Ho-ho-hooollllyyyyy shit is that bottom 6 bad. And Gauthier, Sugar and Howard aren't even in the AHL yet. Thank God for cap space next year

 

[These Are The Days]

I am going down the list and we might be able to unload a player or two in Syracuse. There is no way all of Huuhtanen, Howard, Gauthier, Duke, Groshev, Sugar (idk why but I love calling him that) and WiFi are all either good enough to crack the lineup or that we are gonna have that much roster space. Not to mention it's possible Joona Saarelainen is another sleeper in our system. I don't really know enough about Roman Schmidt to warrant an opinion but maybe that's 9 guys?

I am seeing that clear miss by Chaffee in my sleep and it has me wanting for better. I am very very happy with Geekie despite how frustrating it is at times. Gonzo is getting the hang of it too.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I am going down the list and we might be able to unload a player or two in Syracuse. There is no way all of Huuhtanen, Howard, Gauthier, Duke, Groshev, Sugar (idk why but I love calling him that) and WiFi are all either good enough to crack the lineup or that we are gonna have that much roster space. Not to mention it's possible Joona Saarelainen is another sleeper in our system. I don't really know enough about Roman Schmidt to warrant an opinion but maybe that's 9 guys?

I am seeing that clear miss by Chaffee in my sleep and it has me wanting for better. I am very very happy with Geekie despite how frustrating it is at times. Gonzo is getting the hang of it too.

Schmidt is a nothing burger at this point, completely expendable. Groshev isn't doing much in Syracuse and is probably expendable at this point as well. Finley is expendable but has no value due to injuries and lack of progression. Not a good 2nd round pick there.

Connor Kurth is a big time sleeper still in the pool. Having a monster year at Minnesota, but is still probably a long shot to being a full time NHLer on a good team. Definitely interested in using him as a trade chip if he has value.

 

[These Are The Days]

Schmidt is a nothing burger at this point, completely expendable. Groshev isn't doing much in Syracuse and is probably expendable at this point as well. Finley is expendable but has no value due to injuries and lack of progression. Not a good 2nd round pick there.

Connor Kurth is a big time sleeper still in the pool. Having a monster year at Minnesota, but is still probably a long shot to being a full time NHLer on a good team. Definitely interested in using him as a trade chip if he has value.

I actually forgot about Finley. I don't imagine he moves the bar for almost anyone we'd want. It sounds like Syracuse has fat to trim too

I know it sounds petty of me but watching 20 games of guys like Ace and Chaffee swarm around like bees accomplishing absolutely nothing has gotten on my last nerve. We're literally just wasting time with our bottom 6 until Kucherov comes back on for his next shift and applauding low event hockey because it means we didn't give up a goal.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I actually forgot about Finley. I don't imagine he moves the bar for almost anyone we'd want. It sounds like Syracuse has fat to trim too

I know it sounds petty of me but watching 20 games of guys like Ace and Chaffee swarm around like bees accomplishing absolutely nothing has gotten on my last nerve. We're literally just wasting time with our bottom 6 until Kucherov comes back and applauding low event hockey because it means we didn't give up a goal.

Haven't watched much of Nick Bjugstad this year with Utah, but he's definitely the type I'd like in our bottom 6. Many thought he'd be a trade target in 2023 for a cheap price, before BriseBois decided to jump the shark for Jeannot. I also wanted Eric Robinson back then, as his blazing speed would have been great & was underutilized in Columbus & then Buffalo. And now look at what Robinson is doing on a good team in Carolina.

 

[These Are The Days]

Haven't watched much of Nick Bjugstad this year with Utah, but he's definitely the type I'd like in our bottom 6. Many thought he'd be a trade target in 2023 for a cheap price, before BriseBois decided to jump the shark for Jeannot. I also wanted Eric Robinson back then, as his blazing speed would have been great & was underutilized in Columbus & then Buffalo. And now look at what Robinson is doing on a good team in Carolina.

Pass on big Nick. I have absolutely nothing against him but he's been around so long that I had to make sure it wasn't 2006 that I was thinking of as his rookie year. If we're gonna rock an old dude, go for ROR or see if Pavelski wants to come out of retirement. Not that I'm interested in plucking a guy off the street or anxious for another trade with Nashville mind you. Because it feels like we are loaded with dudes who are like 27 and are the most fringe NHL players possible and the rest are like 32 and their best days are behind them.

 

[Point21]

A month ago i did a stat tracking after 6 games and heres how we are looking now after another 11 games:

GFPG: 4.33- 3rd overall ------ 3.53- 7th overall

GAPG: 3.33- 18th overall ------ 2.76- 11th overall

PP%: 20.8%- 15th overall ------ 18.5%- 18th overall

PK%: 68.2%- 29th overall ------ 78.2%- 20th overall

SPG: 29.2- 17th overall ------ 27.4- 23rd overall

SAPG: 27.5- 7th overall * ------ 27.6- 8th overall

Faceoff%: 50.1%- 16th overall ------ 51.2%- 13th overall

Hits/60: 17.16- 27th overall ------ 14.47- 31st overall

BkS/60: 16.83- 11th overall ------ 14.76- 20th overall

GvA/60: 13.17- 7th overall * ------ 13.83- 10th overall

TkA/60: 3.00- 32nd overall ------ 4.18- 32nd overall

Missed Shots: 77- T-4th overall * ------ 237- T-5th overall


As you can see, we suck at being physical but at least we dont miss the net alot (even though it looks like we cant hit the broadside of a barn)

 

[Flat Ronnie]

A month ago i did a stat tracking after 6 games and heres how we are looking now after another 11 games:

GFPG: 4.33- 3rd overall ------ 3.53- 7th overall

GAPG: 3.33- 18th overall ------ 2.76- 11th overall

PP%: 20.8%- 15th overall ------ 18.5%- 18th overall

PK%: 68.2%- 29th overall ------ 78.2%- 20th overall

SPG: 29.2- 17th overall ------ 27.4- 23rd overall

SAPG: 27.5- 7th overall * ------ 27.6- 8th overall

Faceoff%: 50.1%- 16th overall ------ 51.2%- 13th overall

Hits/60: 17.16- 27th overall ------ 14.47- 31st overall

BkS/60: 16.83- 11th overall ------ 14.76- 20th overall

GvA/60: 13.17- 7th overall * ------ 13.83- 10th overall

TkA/60: 3.00- 32nd overall ------ 4.18- 32nd overall

Missed Shots: 77- T-4th overall * ------ 237- T-5th overall


As you can see, we suck at being physical but at least we dont miss the net alot (even though it looks like we cant hit the broadside of a barn)

What is the identity of this team lol

These numbers aren't very promising. We're a lot closer to being a goal scoring team than a physical/tough team. We should probably try ro bring in a sniper.

 

[LightningStrikes]

A month ago i did a stat tracking after 6 games and heres how we are looking now after another 11 games:

GFPG: 4.33- 3rd overall ------ 3.53- 7th overall

GAPG: 3.33- 18th overall ------ 2.76- 11th overall

PP%: 20.8%- 15th overall ------ 18.5%- 18th overall

PK%: 68.2%- 29th overall ------ 78.2%- 20th overall

SPG: 29.2- 17th overall ------ 27.4- 23rd overall

SAPG: 27.5- 7th overall * ------ 27.6- 8th overall

Faceoff%: 50.1%- 16th overall ------ 51.2%- 13th overall

Hits/60: 17.16- 27th overall ------ 14.47- 31st overall

BkS/60: 16.83- 11th overall ------ 14.76- 20th overall

GvA/60: 13.17- 7th overall * ------ 13.83- 10th overall

TkA/60: 3.00- 32nd overall ------ 4.18- 32nd overall

Missed Shots: 77- T-4th overall * ------ 237- T-5th overall


As you can see, we suck at being physical but at least we dont miss the net alot (even though it looks like we cant hit the broadside of a barn)

It’s simple: Can’t hit people when we always have the puck

 

[Point21]

if you want to go deeper into it:

Corsi% (shot attempts %)- 51.18%- 13th overall

Fenwick% (Unblocked shot attempts %)- 51.05%- 9th overall

% of shot attempts that are blocked - 29.7%- 24th overall

High Danger shots for- 59- 20th overall

High Danger shots against- 58- 8th best

% of giveaways in the DZone- 50.6%- Worst in NHL

 

[These Are The Days]

if you want to go deeper into it:

Corsi% (shot attempts %)- 51.18%- 13th overall

Fenwick% (Unblocked shot attempts %)- 51.05%- 9th overall

% of shot attempts that are blocked - 29.7%- 24th overall

High Danger shots for- 59- 20th overall

High Danger shots against- 58- 8th best

% of giveaways in the DZone- 50.6%- Worst in NHL

Too much mid. We are somehow slow and soft

 

[These Are The Days]

I looked at the UFAs for next year and holy shit what a terrible crop there is. Who cares about these guys?

 

[JTBF81]

The team is doing fine. Chaffee and Ace aren't problems. They are bottom 6 guys with, in the case of Chaffee, the potential to play up. The defense is better than last year, and the offense is still close to where it was last year. Special teams need some improvement, especially the pp, but the pk has been looking better as of late. If they feel good about Paul in the top 6 long term, go after a couple of middle 6 players such as O'Connor, Gourde etc. If they still want a top 6 winger, Kuzmenko, Palmieri, Vatrano are all possibilities. I'd try and work a package deal for O'Connor and Pettersson from Pittsburgh, and then depending on space, add another middle/bottom 6 F if possible and/or needed.

 

[Point21]

This year compared to last year on 11/21:
24-25 (17GP) / 23-24 (19GP)

GFPG: 3.53- 7th overall / 3.58- 8th overall

GAPG: 2.76- 11th overall / 3.63- 27th overall

PP%: 18.5%- 18th overall / 30.3%- 4th overall

PK%: 78.2%- 20th overall / 85.7%- 7th overall

SPG: 27.4- 23rd overall / 30.7- 20th overall

SAPG: 27.6- 8th overall / 32.1- 23rd overall

Faceoff%: 51.2%- 13th overall / 53.0%- 5th overall

Hits/60: 14.47- 31st overall / 23.20- 9th overall

BkS/60: 14.76- 20th overall / 13.76- 26th overall

GvA/60: 13.83- 10th overall / 6.62- 8th overall

TkA/60: 4.18- 32nd overall / 5.11- 28th overall

Missed Shots: 237- T-5th overall* / 26th overall

 

[Rschmitz]

I wouldn’t over analyze the super advanced stats too much, at this point I’m just going to use my eyes.

Our special teams is the only glaring problem I can see. Yeah our bottom 6 has kinda sucked but they aren’t having a huge negative impact, where as if special teams is bad it can bleed into how other teams play against you.

 

[OffBy1]

This year compared to last year on 11/21:
24-25 (17GP) / 23-24 (19GP)

GFPG: 3.53- 7th overall / 3.58- 8th overall

GAPG: 2.76- 11th overall / 3.63- 27th overall

PP%: 18.5%- 18th overall / 30.3%- 4th overall

PK%: 78.2%- 20th overall / 85.7%- 7th overall

SPG: 27.4- 23rd overall / 30.7- 20th overall

SAPG: 27.6- 8th overall / 32.1- 23rd overall

Faceoff%: 51.2%- 13th overall / 53.0%- 5th overall

Hits/60: 14.47- 31st overall / 23.20- 9th overall

BkS/60: 14.76- 20th overall / 13.76- 26th overall

GvA/60: 13.83- 10th overall / 6.62- 8th overall

TkA/60: 4.18- 32nd overall / 5.11- 28th overall

Missed Shots: 237- T-5th overall* / 26th overall

Last year's goals against per game are with JJ in net for the first two months. That said, it's shocking our PK was still so much better last year. I'm hoping our power play is still a work in progress and this isn't our ceiling.

We've gone way down in hits per game - I think a lot of that drop is trading Jeannot and, dare I say, Calvin De Haan away.

The improvement on missed shots is impressive.

 

[LordStanlersCup]

Another thing to consider is that we have had the 2nd toughest schedule in the league so far.