Post-Game Talk: Oilers score 5 goals and an ENG without McDrai

[Drivesaitl]

There is a problem here when so many players (wingers especially) underperform here over and over again.

Drake Caggiula at 0.178 GPG in his first stint here outperformed Dylan Holloway and Ryan McLeod here, lol. And yes even in the playoffs in 16-17, he scored at a higher rate in the playoffs than those guys also.

Like what the f*** is even going on here before some questions need to be asked?

Coaches think they need to tailor the roster for Connor and Leon too much I think, that's the problem. Those guys are gonna be alright, it's the rest of the freaking forward corps you need to focus on getting production from but every coach here just falls into the tunnel vision of just trying to win whatever game is on the schedule that night, and that usually falls into "spam the McDrai button until you win!". Then they get used to that and get lazy in understanding the rest of the team needs actually their primary focus.

Most orgs have plans on where or how a player fits, where they will be used to what effect and with some crucial level of thought involved in it. The first mistake is this org will just recruit the names and often without even consideration of are they even healthy (its become chronic for this org to deal for injured players and they just keep doing it)

I've said it many times before. Playing for a contender the player has to have moxy. You need a kind of confidence to be a good part on a contender team. Next the guys you recruit to be topsix HAVE to be the personalities that can handle playing on a contender, and WITH generational superstars. Arvid very clearly, psychologically is NOT that. He's somebody drilling himself into the ice with frustration not being able to finish anything. We see indeed that such players REMOVED from playing with greats start to get more scoring chances. This is not because of coaching, not because of say Drai or McD not being good in aiding of production, its because some personalities cannot handle playing with the great players. They don't think enough of themselves as players to be there. They are full of doubts. With Pods and Arvid particularly its palpable that they don't feel worthy or confident in the role.

The org gives no thought to any of this.

 

[Soundwave]

Most orgs have plans on where or how a player fits, where they will be used to what effect and with some crucial level of thought involved in it. The first mistake is this org will just recruit the names and often without even consideration of are they even healthy (its become chronic for this org to deal for injured players and they just keep doing it)

I've said it many times before. Playing for a contender the player has to have moxy. You need a kind of confidence to be a good part on a contender team. Next the guys you recruit to be topsix HAVE to be the personalities that can handle playing on a contender, and WITH generational superstars. Arvid very clearly, psychologically is NOT that. He's somebody drilling himself into the ice with frustration not being able to finish anything. We see indeed that such players REMOVED from playing with greats start to get more scoring chances. This is not because of coaching, not because of say Drai or McD not being good in aiding of production, its because some personalities cannot handle playing with the great players. They don't think enough of themselves as players to be there. They are full of doubts. With Pods and Arvid particularly its palpable that they don't feel worthy or confident in the role.

The org gives no thought to any of this.

It isn't just a problem with Arvidsson on picking on 2-3 scapegoats the way you characterize it as though.

Holloway had terrible stretches here too, so did McLeod, so did Foegele, before them so did Strome, etc. etc.

This is a problem organizationally. The coaches and organization just care about winning the immediate game in front of them, get tunnel vision focused on Connor/Leon, then little to no thought is ever given to a big picture.

It's been characterized again in hilarious fashion with Jeff Skinner who's scoring at close to a 30 goal rate (with no PP time) in the New Year despite the coach trying to basically stop him from scoring.

 

[Drivesaitl]

It isn't just a problem with Arvidsson on picking on 2-3 scapegoats the way you characterize it as though.

Holloway had terrible stretches here too, so did McLeod, so did Foegele, before them so did Strome, etc. etc.

This is a problem organizationally. The coaches and organization just care about winning the immediate game in front of them, get tunnel vision focused on Connor/Leon, then little to no thought is ever given to a big picture.

It's been characterized again in hilarious fashion with Jeff Skinner who's scoring at close to a 30 goal rate (with no PP time) in the New Year despite the coach trying to actively bury him in the lineup.

Holloway was young here. Starting his career here. Thus your conception of this is way off. AS I've said to you before even Ryan Smyth and Drai did not produce their first season segments. You can't make that comparison, to veteran players. New guys are still figuring out and adjusting to NHL.

I'd caution as well to redefine what "terrible stretches" is. Foegele potting 20 goals here isn't terrible, its very good for a support role player. I'd wish for more 20G players in the lineup currently.

Its your narrative (and its wrong) that all forwards or wingers produce poorly here. What about Kane, Hyman, Maroon?

The problem is in you, or the org thinking that a 20 goal contribution is terrible and we have to switch it out to try to find better? How has that worked? Its resulted in the org having as much player changeover as some expansion clubs. just rotating in the deckchairs. Most contender teams have a MUCH more stable roster with less player changes, than we do.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Any coach including the one we have would say Janmark is more shutdown inclined than Connor Brown is. Browns best asset here is to effect a shorthanded rush and then completely blow the scoring chance. Janmark is excellent (sarcasm) at that as well. Again I'm saying I would have NEITHER in the lineup. Neither does enough to occupy a spot that could be had by better additions. These are the two I look to be replaced, hopefully, and sooner rather than later. Doubt it happens though..

False.

 

[FiveFourteenSixOne]

Dude might be too top heavy that he'd face plant hard when trying to poke check?

The way he flopped on his stomach on the breakaway goal is starting to make sense.

His brain is as dense as a neutron star.

 

[Soundwave]

Holloway was young here. Starting his career here. Thus your conception of this is way off. AS I've said to you before even Ryan Smyth and Drai did not produce their first season segments. You can't make that comparison, to veteran players. New guys are still figuring out and adjusting to NHL.

Every player has a slow burn to start here too which is another problem. Why is that? Foegele was mediocre his first season here too. McLeod too. Holloway too. Strome too. So maybe Arvy and Jeff Skinner shouldn't have been jumped all over for poor starts here too, seems like it takes a while for any new forward to gel here unless they are Hyman.

Yamamoto was poor in his first little stretch here and then out of nowhere hit a mega red hot stretch but then never went back to that.

You look at a team with a similar kind of build in the Leafs, and certainly they have organizational problems too, but you look at support players that they cycle in and out to good results almost constantly.

This year, Bobby McMann has 19 goals in 62 games. Knies has 25 goals in 66 games. Even a guy like Nic Robertson has 12 goals in 60 games after a contract dispute and being buried in the lineup.

Like I said, something is wrong with how this org/coaching does things. How is it Bobby f***ing McMann has a higher GPG in Toronto than all of Holloway, Foegele, McLeod, Skinner, Arvidsson, etc. etc.

 

[Drivesaitl]

"rebound control"...that's such a hilarious term on here. It very much like they're/their, regardless/,irregardless, accept/except and one i try not to mess up anymore since a poster on here corrected me...than/then. It misused all the time b/c alot of people do not understand the concept or the mechanics

You keep trying label me as a Skinner fan, but I'm not defending the player half the time, I'm defending against ppl who really don't know what they are typing. I'm defending specific plays in which they misinterpret just to complain

A perfect example of this is when they use the term "rebound control"

When used PROPERLY, it can be used to describe the goal the other nite where Stu took a shot from distance, kicked out a massive rebound to an opposing player who had half the net to score. Or on the faceplant goal. He takes an easier shot, bobbles it and let's the tap in(where was Bouchard on that play i will also maintain?)

However, you see it slung around here on last nites first goal, So thank you for proving my point. You see it slung out on the play the other nite in which the puck ended up on Skinners back pad and Nurse had to reach down and grab it

When you see ppl complaining about "rebound control" on those plays, it proves that somebody actually needs to point out that they are completely oblivious to what they are saying. That is NOT Skinner defending, it's simply pointing out the obvious in context w/ an actual understanding of the play in hand

6 paragraphs of saying nothing repeatedly. Try to even have a point when responding.

 

[iCanada]

This is nuge heat up phase in a season. As much as I like seeing it, it doesn't last. I think the right answer is to seperate out the 3C and give Nuge somebody to work with on third line as he can do quite well against lesser checking, weaker opposition.

As a 2C its not common that Nuge is getting it done lately. Last night was against Seattle. Frankly its unreresentative. Kraken are so bad its almost impossible to not get free lunch.

Gretzky would've called the Kraken a mickey mouse franchise and he'd be right. Kraken are exhibit A in NHL of virtue over integrity and substance. Start out naming their Arena "Climate Pledge" then proceed with several other virtue signals before arriving at "the first female assistant coach in the NHL" Its all tied into a theme of selling false virtue instead of just putting a competitive team on the ice. People in Seattle lick it up like a Kitty drinking milk. "Give us more losses and false virtue"

To follow this; generally March is Nuges most successful month in any given season, certainly his best month on average in his career - by around a standard deviation. That said, he is relatively consistent.

Nuge in March; 157 GP, 141 P (50 G, 91A), 0.898 ppg.

Nuge in other months; 793 GP, 646 P (221 G, 385A), 0.814 ppg

I will also say though - Nuges playoff numbers are pretty good. 61 P in 74 GP, .834 ppg.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Every player has a slow burn to start here too which is another problem. Why is that? Foegele was mediocre his first season here too. McLeod too. Holloway too. Strome too. So maybe Arvy and Jeff Skinner shouldn't have been jumped all over for poor starts here too, seems like it takes a while for any new forward to gel here.

Yamamoto was poor in his first little stretch here and then out of nowhere hit a mega red hot stretch but then never went back to that.

You look at a team with a similar kind of build in the Leafs, and certainly they have organizational problems too, but you look at support players that they cycle in and out to good results almost constantly.

This year, Bobby McMann has 19 goals in 62 games. Knies has 25 goals in 66 games. Even a guy like Nic Robertson has 12 goals in 60 games after a contract dispute and being buried in the lineup.

Like I said, something is wrong with how this org/coaching does things.

WE very seldom get players like Bobby McMann. If we did people here would say he's not scoring enough. lol. I'd have that guy with burn speed and exciting breakouts any day. Instead we recruit stables full of old players with far less jump and that don't have the speed game of a Bobby McMann. Bobby has some hands too.

J Skinner seems similar to Arvid. He gets kind of nervous being put in topsix. That isn't the teams fault, its that he's never played on a SC playoffs team, never played with great players. In that way he had the same trouble Eberle had here playing with McD. Eberle folded under the pressure and even stated in words it felt like he was constantly making disappointing plays while playing with McD. he was drilling himself into the ice. I was surprised Eberle couldn't handle it as he'd been around good players in his career. But playing with McD was some next level stuff. It got to Eberle. You have to put yourself in the players shoes. Look at J Skinner. Isn't it evident to you he's nervous out there playing with great players. Maybe he's finally settling down in it but his main problem has been not being able to play with greats on a contending team.

You have to have the right personality to play with great players. We found one of those in Hyman, years ago in Maroon.

 

[Soundwave]

WE very seldom get players like Bobby McMann. If we did people here would say he's not scoring enough. lol. I'd have that guy with burn speed and exciting breakouts any day. Instead we recruit stables full of old players with far less jump and that don't have the speed game of a Bobby McMann. Bobby has some hands too.

J Skinner seems similar to Arvid. He gets kind of nervous being put in topsix. That isn't the teams fault, its that he's never played on a SC playoffs team, never played with great players. In that way he had the same trouble Eberle had here playing with McD. Eberle folded under the pressure and even stated in words it felt like he was constantly making disappointing plays while playing with McD. he was drilling himself into the ice. I was surprised Eberle couldn't handle it as he'd been around good players in his career. But playing with McD was some next level stuff. It got to Eberle. You have to put yourself in the players shoes. Look at J Skinner. Isn't it evident to you he's nervous out there playing with great players. Maybe he's finally settling down in it but his main problem has been not being able to play with greats on a contending team.

You have to have the right personality to play with great players. We found one of those in Hyman, years ago in Maroon.

I'm sorry but I just not buying this.

We don't ever get players like McMann or Knies or Robertson?

We have had players like that and actually better players.

We just do a shit job here on the org/coaching/development side.

This team frankly just is too used to having two players carry them to success that they don't really give a fart about doing more than the bare minimum (and many times less) in other areas of the org.

The Oilers are basically like the Doug Collins Chicago Bulls era, where the team relied almost entirely on Michael Jordan to win them games.



While that press conference clip is funny it's also in a way emblematic of why they never won anything in those years. When Phil Jackson came in he focused more on the team and even implemented an offence that took the ball out of Jordan's hands to give other players more looks ... and Jordan simply just adjusted and still scored at a similar-ish rate anyway.

Coaches here don't give much of a f*** about the broader forward group because they know they get pretty good results just spamming the McDavid/Draisaitl To Win button and there's not much thought put into things past that. Too many forwards struggle here when it should be the opposite.

Knies is a 2nd round pick, Bobby McMann was undrafted entirely, how is it those two are so much better handled by the Leafs than Holloway (both have WAY higher scoring rates than Holloway did here), who was a 1st round pick here? Maybe part of the problem too is players are "nervous" with McDavid/Drai because they know they're going to get yanked off the line after 2 periods and demoted to the "I don't give a crap about you" usage by the coach.

 

[Drivesaitl]

To follow this; generally March is Nuges most successful month in any given season, certainly his best month on average in his career - by around a standard deviation. That said, he is relatively consistent.

Nuge in March; 157 GP, 141 P (50 G, 91A), 0.898 ppg.

Nuge in other months; 793 GP, 646 P (221 G, 385A), 0.814 ppg

I will also say though - Nuges playoff numbers are pretty good. 61 P in 74 GP, .834 ppg.

Feb and March have typically been the Nuge heat up times. Something very notable with him. This season it didn't come until March.

If I've had one ongoing critique of the player is how he just decides to have these up moments in a season when quite clearly he has the elite talent and hockey brain to be an allstar player all the time. Only one season in his career since rookie season has Nuge really filled his potential and been all he could be. Like coaches as far back as McLellan have stated Nuge leaves a lot off the table. Doesn't give his all. The same player, person that is producing like crazy right now can go months not getting much. Frustrating?

 

[Drivesaitl]

I'm sorry but I just not buying this.

We don't ever get players like McMann or Knies or Robertson?

We have had players like that and actually better players.

We just do a shit job here on the org/coaching/development side.

This team frankly just is too used to having two players carry them to success that they don't really give a fart about doing more than the bare minimum (and many times less) in other areas of the org.

The Oilers are basically like the Doug Collins Chicago Bulls era, where the team relied almost entirely on Michael Jordan to win them games.



While that press conference clip is funny it's also in a way emblematic of why they never won anything in those years. When Phil Jackson came in he focused more on the team and even implemented an offence that took the ball out of Jordan's hands to give other players more looks ... and Jordan simply just adjusted and still scored at a similar-ish rate anyway.

Coaches here don't give much of a f*** about the broader forward group because they know they get pretty good results just spamming the McDavid/Draisaitl To Win button and there's not much thought put into things past that. Too many forwards struggle here when it should be the opposite.

Knies is a 2nd round pick, Bobby McMann was undrafted entirely, how is it those two are so much better handled by the Leafs than Holloway, who was a 1st round pick here?

I don't follow basketball at or have the slightest interest in it so not getting that reference at all. I'd agree with you that we don't always use players properly here but I think the players are guilty too of not even wanting to be here. Guys like Turris, Belanger, others who even in statements didn't want to be here. I really think the org does a poor job conceptualizing what they want, what they are trying to achieve with player change. That part has been endemic with the org is we just airlift in players hoping some of the spaghetti sticks to the wall. Kind of a bullet approach and missing targets. Random additions.

This org has also had such a love affair with reclamation projects. It isn't any mystery for instance Podkolzin doesn't score here. He never did anywhere. In other cases like Lucic to Neale etc it ws just a series of one bad decision after another.

This org is bad at asset management and retension. Thats the biggest story. Thats why we have such limited forward or goalie depth still in 2025.

 

[Soundwave]

I don't follow basketball at or have the slightest interest in it so not getting that reference at all. I'd agree with you that we don't always use players properly here but I think the players are guilty too of not even wanting to be here. Guys like Turris, Belanger, others who even in statements didn't want to be here. I really think the org does a poor job conceptualizing what they want, what they are trying to achieve with player change. That part has been endemic with the org is we just airlift in players hoping some of the spaghetti sticks to the wall. Kind of a bullet approach and missing targets. Random additions.

This org has also had such a love affair with reclamation projects. It isn't any mystery for instance Podkolzin doesn't score here. He never did anywhere. In other cases like Lucic to Neale etc it ws just a series of one bad decision after another.

This org is bad at asset management and retension. Thats the biggest story. Thats why we have such limited forward or goalie depth still in 2025.

It's beyond that.

For all the shitting on Jeff Skinner too, he actually has a significantly better GPG in his first season here than Foegele, McLeod, Holloway, etc. and that's with the coach actively basically trying to stop him from scoring (how many teams are healthy scratching players after they score the winning goal in a game and don't make any mistakes otherwise?).

It's a coaching problem too, like the Bulls with Jordan too many coaches here gravitate too much to Connor/Leon (which is not their fault) because of their brilliance and lose sight of the greater team concept.

The Bulls won nothing in those years even though Jordan was dominating the league in scoring, for years they would lose in round 2 or 3, but then they hired Phil Jackson who implemented a more team centric approach and Jordan actually accepted an offense where he didn't shoot as much. They would go on to win 3 championships in a row and 6 of the next 8 overall.

You have to have more backbone as a coach to understand the greater team concept, I don't think coach's here do that. They're all smiling like dumb jackasses after they win thinking they just need to clean up a thing or two here or there, there's not an awareness of very much long term planning.

 

[Bring Back Bucky]

If he continues to play this way, there is no way Skinner should be out of the top 6, let alone not in the lineup. He is a dog on a bone in puck battles and has shown he has the smarts to find open ice. I'd probably sit Perry out, as I think he's slowed down a bit lately and may be tiring. Insert him as needed, either for an injury replacement, or a shakeup.

Ladies and gentlemen we have a Bingo. Like there’s zero about Skinner that fails the eye test or the stat sheet. If offence fails this team in the playoffs with him in the press box I think you’d want to replace Knoblach

 

[McAsuno]

Color me absolutely shocked that poster “bobbythebrain” went out of his way to glaze and defend the moronic sieve of a slow fat ass in Stuart Skinner again.

Laughable.

 

[Drivesaitl]

It's beyond that.

For all the shitting on Jeff Skinner too, he actually has a significantly better GPG in his first season here than Foegele, McLeod, Holloway, etc. and that's with the coach actively basically trying to stop him from scoring (how many teams are healthy scratching players after they score the winning goal in a game and don't make any mistakes otherwise?).

It's a coaching problem too, like the Bulls with Jordan too many coaches here gravitate too much to Connor/Leon (which is not their fault) because of their brilliance and lose sight of the greater team concept.

The Bulls won nothing in those years even though Jordan was dominating the league in scoring, for years they would lose in round 2 or 3, but then they hired Phil Jackson who implemented a more team centric approach and Jordan actually accepted an offense where he didn't shoot as much. They would go on to win 3 championships in a row and 6 of the next 8 overall.

You have to have more backbone as a coach to understand the greater team concept, I don't think coach's here do that. They're all smiling like dumb jackasses after they win thinking they just need to clean up a thing or two here or there, there's not an awareness of very much long term planning.

Skinners only role is scoring goals. Nor is it reasonable to only consider games played. J Skinner is well rested in contrast with players that play and dress every game. The problem with Skinner is he doesn't withstand tight checking very well. In recent games against poor teams or performances he's found some nuts but agains virtually invisible marking. jets were horrible in the GP. I have my doubts Skinner will add very much once games are for real in playoffs. I haven't really seen J Skinner have strong games against good opponent games where checking is close.

I don't follow your basketball examples but any team predicated on generational players is different than those teams that don't have such players. It isn't a matter that coaching gravitates too much to said players its the obvious dynamic that would lead to any coach doing so. In short when you have a couple of the very best players on earth you play them a lot, rely on them a lot. This would be the case in any sport I would imagine.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Color me absolutely shocked that poster “bobbythebrain” went out of his way to glaze and defend the moronic sieve of a slow fat ass in Stuart Skinner again.

Laughable.

Feel free to enjoy my responses to his glaze.

 

[bobbythebrain]

6 paragraphs of saying nothing repeatedly. Try to even have a point when responding.

To quote Stan Bowman -" every goal is a bad goal by the goalie now a days. There is no in between "

Where did you get lost exactly?

 

[Drivesaitl]

To quote Stan Bowman -" every goal is a bad goal by the goalie now a days. There is no in between "

Where did you get lost exactly?

You can find a quote supporting any belief and that the world is flat and the moon made out of cheese. If one wants to.

 

[Soundwave]

Skinners only role is scoring goals. Nor is it reasonable to only consider games played. J Skinner is well rested in contrast with players that play and dress every game. The problem with Skinner is he doesn't withstand tight checking very well. In recent games against poor teams or performances he's found some nuts but agains virtually invisible marking. jets were horrible in the GP. I have my doubts Skinner will add very much once games are for real in playoffs. I haven't really seen J Skinner have strong games against good opponent games where checking is close.

I don't follow your basketball examples but any team predicated on generational players is different than those teams that don't have such players. It isn't a matter that coaching gravitates too much to said players its the obvious dynamic that would lead to any coach doing so. In short when you have a couple of the very best players on earth you play them a lot, rely on them a lot. This would be the case in any sport I would imagine.

Jordan is basically like McDavid, possibly better (relative to their sport), but similar kind of deal they couldn't win for many years even though Jordan was winning the scoring titles, MVPs, and having massive success with highlight reel plays, etc. etc.

The analogy is actually a very good one for the Oilers to study because there is no excuse for "well this guy is just so generational other players just get off their game or wilt under the pressure here". The Bulls were EXACTLY that, the media even relentlessly taunted the team with the Jordan & The Jordannaires insult instead of saying Jordan & The Bulls.

Phil Jackson as a head coach understood this dynamic had to change and understood that he had to emphasize the importance of every player on the team. And you know what? Jordan still continued to lead the league in scoring every year anyway. They would then win 6 titles in 8 years.

You don't need to tell a fish how to swim.

Jeff Skinner is scoring at a 30 goal clip here for like almost 3 months here now, +8 in that span with virtually no PP time, no time with McDavid or Draisaitl while being jerked around by the coach. I doubt even Hyman could do that. The one game he got some extended looks with McDavid against Winnipeg (I dunno are they good this year or ?) he scores 2 goals. Knoblauch has a lot to answer for this season IMO.

 

[bobbythebrain]

People expect more from him because he's the so-called "starter" here, when he's plainly not a starting caliber goalie. Pickard is probably better than him and Pickard was a dude from the AHL.

I have no argument that we need an upgrade. But seeing post, after post, after post, after post of ppl interpreting plays and games improperly b/c the need to blame him gets exhausting.

Just look at @Drivesaitl last post. Blaming the 1st goal on him. Like how dishonest do you have to be

 

[Soundwave]

I have no argument that we need an upgrade. But seeing post, after post, after post, after post of ppl interpreting plays and games improperly b/c the need to blame him gets exhausting.

Just look at @Drivesaitl last post. Blaming the 1st goal on him. Like how dishonest do you have to be

Well prepare to be exhausted then, because that's not going to get any better until either the Oilers upgrade or the play of the goalies drastically improves or we are not in a Cup window any longer. Take yer pick.

Yeah having a generational player in a Canadian market is kind of a big deal.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I have no argument that we need an upgrade. But seeing post, after post, after post, after post of ppl interpreting plays and games improperly b/c the need to blame him gets exhausting.

Just look at @Drivesaitl last post. Blaming the 1st goal on him. Like how dishonest do you have to be

Which post are you actually talking about? I made no specific reference to the 1st goal. Not that I needed to. The body of work has been demonstration enough.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Jordan is basically like McDavid, possibly better (relative to their sport), but similar kind of deal they couldn't win for many years even though Jordan was winning the scoring titles, MVPs, and having massive success with highlight reel plays, etc. etc.

The analogy is actually a very good one for the Oilers to study because there is no excuse for "well this guy is just so generational other players just get off their game or wilt under the pressure here". The Bulls were EXACTLY that, the media even relentlessly taunted the team with the Jordan & The Jordannaires insult instead of saying Jordan & The Bulls.

Phil Jackson as a head coach understood this dynamic had to change and understood that he had to emphasize the importance of every player on the team. And you know what? Jordan still continued to lead the league in scoring every year anyway. They would then win 6 titles in 8 years.

You don't need to tell a fish how to swim.

Jeff Skinner is scoring at a 30 goal clip here for like almost 3 months here now, +8 in that span with virtually no PP time, no time with McDavid or Draisaitl while being jerked around by the coach. I doubt even Hyman could do that. The one game he got some extended looks with McDavid against Winnipeg (I dunno are they good this year or ?) he scores 2 goals. Knoblauch has a lot to answer for this season IMO.

Your basketball comparisons hold no water because in Basketball the lineup is very small. So that in that sport a couple of players can move mountains. It isn't the same, of course, in hockey where lineups are much bigger. Phil Jackson coached basketball. It has ZERO relevance to hockey.

 

[McShogun99]

I also will say locking players out of the PP wholesale isn't good for overall team morale. Last night we scored 2 PP goals with no McDavid/Drai needed.

There should be a spot open for players to move onto PP unit 1 at times if their play warrants it.

The fact that Bouchard cannot get himself scratched from the PP unit 1 is also ridiculous. Walman and Ekholm should be given reps there when Bouch is clearly playing like crap to send a message.

If it was up to me I’d run McDrai for the full 2 minutes but swap the other 3 players out.
Left half wall-RNH/Arvidsson/Skinner/Kane
Net front-Hyman/Perry/Henrique/Frederic
Point-Bouchard/Walman/Ekholm/Nurse

You create some unpredictability for the defending team by using a different combination of players. If it’s a 5 min PP then you use the traditional 5 man units that we currently have.

Someone also posted earlier about putting Bouchard in RNH’s spot and Walman on the point which I think would be deadly and give a one time option from each side.