Leafs select Gary Roberts
View attachment 984386
It should be illegal to select Roberts and not have this photo accompany the pick announcement.
Leafs select Gary Roberts
View attachment 984386
Dawson City selects "Smokey" Harris, LW
View attachment 984377
Right, I remember that about Nels. And he was an agile skater too. Maybe not the fastest in a straight line, but very quick around the net. I read those posts.Yeah, and even with Stewart, IE found that he was able to move around pretty well at some point in his career, but age happens and some guys are just lazy (or "efficient" if you want to look at it another way).
Really similar to some of the stuff that's in the Robitaille bio.Right, I remember that about Nels. And he was an agile skater too. Maybe not the fastest in a straight line, but very quick around the net. I read those posts.
This is a tactic I'd like to have a better idea of the history and development. Of course there's no "beginning" to the idea of scoring from close to the net. We draft Cy Denenny and Newsy Lalonde with the expectation that they'll do that, and it just makes practical sense, especially if your shot with an ancient twig can't break a pane of glass. But the modern mode of turning back on to the goalie and facing your own teammate on the point or flank is something that couldn't exist up until the forward pass, for one thing. I remember asking on here who the first player to play like that was. One said Drillon, someone else said Yvon Lambert. My own modern favourite who perfected the science is James Van Riemsdyk, who, as a left handed shot, has his blade facing the right wall when he turns his butt to the crease, allowing him to recieve perimeter passes from the Leafs right shooting playmakers, and used his edges to make tight turns into scoring areas like an NBA player at the post. The power play has never been the same without him, even with his much higher paid replacement in the fold.Also, being netfront then was unknown (other than Nels), so it was assumed he didn't backcheck, but HE WAS THE DEEPEST GUY... no kidding he wasn't the first guy back- DUH
Right, so it was mostly Apps zipping around and slipping him passes I guess. But apparently he was good on the boards too. Both big men for that era, and both could skate. To me that means lots of zone time and possession- which is defense by offense. Also, they were terrors in transition, so you aren't bottling them up in their own end- and both could carry the puck... that means no turnovers - another defensive notch on the belt.Really similar to some of the stuff that's in the Robitaille bio.
This is a tactic I'd like to have a better idea of the history and development. Of course there's no "beginning" to the idea of scoring from close to the net. We draft Cy Denenny and Newsy Lalonde with the expectation that they'll do that, and it just makes practical sense, especially if your shot with an ancient twig can't break a pane of glass. But the modern mode of turning back on to the goalie and facing your own teammate on the point or flank is something that couldn't exist up until the forward pass, for one thing. I remember asking on here who the first player to play like that was. One said Drillon, someone else said Yvon Lambert. My own modern favourite who perfected the science is James Van Riemsdyk, who, as a left handed shot, has his blade facing the right wall when he turns his butt to the crease, allowing him to recieve perimeter passes from the Leafs right shooting playmakers, and used his edges to make tight turns into scoring areas like an NBA player at the post. The power play has never been the same without him, even with his much higher paid replacement in the fold.
Even fairly modern guys like Esposito don't look exactly like JVR to me, and I'd love to fill in the gaps with footage of guys like, Lambert, Stewart, and Drillon, to see where the different pieces come from.
The move I really think is cool is a unique McDavid/Draisaitl combination on the powerplay. Normally Leon occupies the half-wall and McDavid uses his speed to sort of rove the zone to find openings. But in this play they used to run, not sure if they still do since I haven't seen it lately, it was McDavid on the half-wall and Draisaitl in the slot, which shouldn't work at all since they're both lefties and thus can't get off a proper one-timer chance... the solution was to have Draisaitl stand with his back to McDavid, looking behind him, Connor hits him on his backhand, Leon instantly stickhandles it onto his forehand and rips it in one motion. I don't think I've seen anyone else try that. Really slick stuff.My own modern favourite who perfected the science is James Van Riemsdyk, who, as a left handed shot, has his blade facing the right wall when he turns his butt to the crease, allowing him to recieve perimeter passes from the Leafs right shooting playmakers, and used his edges to make tight turns into scoring areas like an NBA player at the post.
f***ing fed up of always getting on the clock during the night.
@Hockey Stathead listpicks Gus Mortson, D
I pick Henrik Lundqvist, G
Going to sleep, I know I'm on deck for the next, I don't care.