Herschel
Registered User
- Dec 8, 2009
- 1,383
- 435
If you're out on the power play on this team's first unit, every position is a skill position but people are oversimplifying it to just when the team is set up. You need to be skillful and patient on the breakout, the zone entry, and puck retrievals as well. All these things that Kane does not do well in that situation. Also, for whatever it's worth, I disagree with you regarding Burns. In most situations and occasionally on the power play he can be too quick on the trigger but he has consistently shown patience with the puck and vision on how he passes or shoots on the power play.
While this is true it is also true that Kane is, in fact, a highly skilled NHL player. We oversimplify things but saying he can't play with skilled players or at a skilled position on the PP.
My point is that Kane doesn't have the ideal make up to have the PP run through him. If he is used on the 1st unit his skill set suggests it should be down low.
At many times over last season, Burns appeared to be forcing the point shot on the PP. When he gets the puck the entire league knows he is looking for a lane to shoot and if there is one he will take it. I am not even saying this is a bad thing, it is actually similar to Thornton primarily looking to pass.