Observations XXI

[predfan98]

Re, letting coaches go...
Don't know. Don't keep up with those kind of odd stats. And don't know that it matters....

But I don't how many times people have replaced an assistant and gone on to win the cup either?

And I don't know how many coaches like trotz have won the cup and then immediately let go either...

 

[predfan98]

When is the last time a team near the top of the conference fired an assistant coach during the season

Dan bylsma ........how about becoming a head coach and 4 months later winning cup

 

[LCPreds]

You think frustration with the power play is exaggerated?

I think you misunderstood my post. The PP blows. Saying Poile and Lavi have blinders on about it is ridiculous.

 

[triggrman]

Dan bylsma ........how about becoming a head coach and 4 months later winning cup

They were not at the top when Therrien was fired, they were barely in a playoff spot, which is why he was fired, they were in a 2 month slide

 

[predfan98]

They were not at the top when Therrien was fired, they were barely in a playoff spot, which is why he was fired, they were in a 2 month slide

yes, true, and look at the results.

 

[triggrman]

yes, true, and look at the results.

Potato chip

 

[predfan98]

I think you misunderstood my post. The PP blows. Saying Poile and Lavi have blinders on about it is ridiculous.

Maybe I misunderstood your post... but if they can succeed 5 on 5 , why is the PP so significantly bad. Do we blame the players or a coach...

i think loyalty to coaches or staff can cause people to have blinders on. Not ridiculous at all

 

[predfan98]

Potato chip

Cough....Stanley

 

[GoldOnGold]

That's what grawlixes are for.

I also have concerns about whichever coach runs the PP --is it McCarthy? The power play is nonexistent. I'd put it on him but Poile and Lavy haven't fixed the problem, either with new plays or a new asst. coach. Craig Smith was talking about it today and he seemed to think they were doing good things but just not scoring. That's not really good enough. You can buzz around all you want but a team this good should not be 28th in the league in goals scored--ultimately the only element that matters for that particular stat.

I think we take very few PP shots compared to the league

 

[Armourboy]

That's what grawlixes are for.

I also have concerns about whichever coach runs the PP --is it McCarthy? The power play is nonexistent. I'd put it on him but Poile and Lavy haven't fixed the problem, either with new plays or a new asst. coach. Craig Smith was talking about it today and he seemed to think they were doing good things but just not scoring. That's not really good enough. You can buzz around all you want but a team this good should not be 28th in the league in goals scored--ultimately the only element that matters for that particular stat.

If he thinks they are doing good things I would question how good his eye sight is.

 

[Pred303]

part of the hesitation in completely overhauling the PP is that it has worked in the past with the same personnel and the same umbrella strategy. last year for example we were at 21.2, 12th in the league running it exactly as we are now with the same personnel. last year we got 19 PP goals from defensemen at the point, this year with the same 4 guys we have 4 PP goals in over half a season. Subban had 5 last year, 0 this year. Josi 7 last year, 2 this year. ekholm had 5 last year, 1 this year.

injuries have no doubt played a huge part, especially Forsberg being out. 13 last year, only 4 PP goals this year.

no doubt the coaching staff is rationalizing that the PP will 'fix itself' once we are healthy again. but teams have also adapted to our PP by playing more of a 1-2-1 diamond type PK to get out on those three shooters, notice when our PP has actually been effective it has tended to be more against team that play a more tradition 2-2 type box (several of the eastern teams that haven't scouted us as much I think). also teams have adjusted to our drop pass zone entry as almost every team now runs it. it used to catch teams unprepared. no more.

personally I don't like our umbrella concept because we don't have enough down low presence, or that truly outstanding net front guy like a holmstrum or hornqvist that it really takes to make an umbrella the optimum approach.. it means our shots come from farther out than most PP's on average than any team that runs an overload and tries to work the puck in deep first... considerably farther out than any team in the league I would hazard to guess. the only way you make up for a low shooting percentage shot from far out is to get lots of them or lots of rebounds.. and we do neither.

. an umbrella also doesn't take advantage of our one really great passer, johansen either, as he is basically limited to just passing the puck back to the point. all in all, I look at our personnel and think we should run an overload, at least with our first unit. the second unit maybe not as much

 

[Gh24]

Since teams are capable of adapting, you need to evolve or simply change / provide variation to remain effective. Simply, what if, instead of always taking that same one-timer at blue line, they'd go for a slap pass for a backdoor tip-in or something?

Little variation that keeps the opponent on their toes.

Or if as a result of cycling the opponent is spread wide, have a weak side winger from half board swing middle for a pass. I think we have been scored on few times by similar play when our forwards have overplayed being too aggressive.

One approach is that perfecting one style is going to lead to success even if your opponent knows what you're trying to do. Washington and Ovechkin are a good example of that. You know they're trying to play it to Ovechkin for a one-timer and yet, time after time, they succeed. Why? Because they're so good at executing the play. Perhaps our coaches believe in practicing the same thing throughout the season, adding small details as they progress and hope for it to bear fruit in playoffs.

 

[Roman Yoshi]

I don't think we are going to fire a coach Midway through the year.

I do think Poile will make a move before the deadline to add either grit or speed in the top 6. I also expect the new forward to potentially take Fiala's spot on the second unit.

 

[FossilFndr]

It does seem that zone entrance is being adjusted. There are fewer drop back passed from D to forwards leaving the D zone lately. But once in the O zone it's the same unsuccessful approach.

 

[Pred303]

always a big game when we play the jets, no matter when, no matter where. i expect this to be true for years to come. my hockey heart could sure use a win tonight, no matter how ugly it might be.

 

[glenngineer]

Many of us have been calling for a Josi-Subban and Ellis-Ekholm pairing.

It just makes more sense to me.

Josi is fast enough to compliment Subban's speed which maximizes both players strengths too. Subban's (brain-farts aside) defensive awareness compliment's Josi's run and gun defensive style too. Subban is also strong enough to carry that line physically, Josi needs someone a bit stronger for net front battles, that's the weakest part of Ellis' game.

Ekholm, can cover for Ellis when he stands up at the blueline for his famous poke check, Ellis helps on the more controlled offensive play which plays more to Ekholm's strength offensively.

I doubt I'm explaining this the way I want, but in my mind, it all makes complete sense.

It's all about balance and I believe this does just that. It may take 10-20 games for them to gel but once they do, this duo could be really dominant.

 

[glenngineer]

Was watching a bit of the Flyers/Bruins game last night and saw Philly was 1 for their last 19 on the PP. They have some really good talent and were struggling. The guy we want from that team is Simmonds. Not sure he's the answer up front to be honest.

Anyone feel we are too heavy with right handed shots up front? Would more of a left handed physical presence be something we target?

 

[Drake744]

Did some research and over the past 5 years (since Laviolette arrived):

The Preds are a combined 16-4 against Tampa/Washington
The Preds are a combined 4-14 against Detroit/Carolina

 

[Scoresberg]

A good notch below the Jets.

Forward depth and the PP being the biggest differences.

 

[triggrman]

Lol .are we a notch above Caps, Bolts and leafs?

 

[Scoresberg]

Lol .are we a notch above Caps, Bolts and leafs?

Dunno. We just match up better against them.

Do you think we could take the Jets in a 7-game series? I think that’s possible for sure but wouldn’t bet my life on it.

 

[triggrman]

I wouldn't bet my life on any hockey game.

We handled them the first match up well

 

[GoldOnGold]

Rinne continues to worry me

 

[hockey diva]

The jets were cruising in front of Pekka all night. And their bottom six were the ones who scored. Crisp passing, won almost every puck battle, fore checked well.

 

[NoNecksCurse]

i think it's fair to say at this point, the jets are a "notch" above at this point in the season. however, at this time last year, the knights were the best in the league and once we took over from them, we were the "best".

the positive for me is we can absolutely point to what is hurting us most right now.

rinne is not playing at a vezina level nor can we always expect him to. sometimes when we stink, pekka will look accordingly.

fiala has been garbage. we have no scoring line other than JOFA. FF and arvi being out extended period of times cost us at a minimum 4-6 points in the standings. if they aren't hurt, we could easily be ahead of the jets right now. IF.

turris cannot stay healthy. is he what makes fiala go? i think personally fiala is just a mess right now. not even sure what the best path with him is.

our completely overrated top 4 outside of ekholm. josi and ellis are just downright bad at times. josi creates scoring chances at a high rate so i will give him more of a pass but Ellis.... signs a big contract then stinks. never seen that before in sports. and PK is just getting slower by the day. his usual high danger goofs paired with his horrible foot speed is good for a goal against every other game.

a lot can change by the end of the season and i think we have as good of chance as anyone to come out of the west. i would rather play the jets right now over San Jose.

** i don't see the need to say the PP. we are all on the same page there