Ongoing Powerplay Discussion

[BigG44]

Am I missing something or is this not really related to the PP?

Eaves can play the point. I know Nill and Eaves mentioned it, and I think Ruff might have. I can't tell you that I never noticed him on Detroit's PP though.

Based on Ruff's latest comments though that I posted last week, It's say he's potentially serious about wanting a right shot on the point for both units. He used Pevs there as well some last year. Obviously they perfect scenario would be Klingberg and then one of Dallas' top end right shot forwards filling those roles. Sounds like Spezza is being seriously considered, but I don't disagree with Piqued that Seguin could be an option as well.

Otherwise ... yeah ... wouldn't be shocked at all if Peverley or Eaves got the opportunity to play point because they're a right shot.

My guess for what they will try first is still:

Seguin|Cole|Benn

Spezza|Goligoski

Hemsky|Sceviour|Nichushkin

Peverley*|Daley

*Health?

I'd really like to see:

Spezza|Sceviour|Benn

Seguin|Goligoski

Hemsky|Eakin|Nichushkin

Klingberg|Daley

I still have my doubts Klingberg is ready to go right at the start of the year though.

 

[glovesave_35]

I guess I'm less worried about where they write guys into the PP on paper. If Spezza or Seguin work the point and the other is on the half-wall there will hopefully be enough movement that they can switch spots during the course of play.

 

[Klockis]

Looked at our PP ice time percentage last year. Chiasson had 4th most at 54%, Whitney 5th at 48%, Gonchar at 5th with 41%. We have replaced Chiasson and Whitney with Spezza and Hemsky. Now if there was a way to get Gonchar out of the team it would look so much better.

 

[BigG44]

Looked at our PP ice time percentage last year. Chiasson had 4th most at 54%, Whitney 5th at 48%, Gonchar at 5th with 41%. We have replaced Chiasson and Whitney with Spezza and Hemsky. Now if there was a way to get Gonchar out of the team it would look so much better.

Ruff didn't even mention Gonchar. He talked about right shot Spezza on the left point feeding one timers to left shots Goligoski or Daley on the left point. Unless they can't get a 2nd right player for the left point on the 2nd PP .... Gonchar seems to have been pushed out. I think they'd even go with Jordie on the left point over Gonchar unless he has a big rebound.

Gonchar on this team now to me seems more about being unable to move him than them hoping he rebounds. Neither Ruff or Nill have been talking much about him. I think I can remember one quote where Nill's mentioned him.

tl ; dr

Just because Gonchar is on the team doesn't mean you wont get your wish of him off the PP. He doesn't seem like a top option based on Ruff quotes.

 

[Klockis]

Ruff didn't even mention Gonchar. He talked about right shot Spezza on the left point feeding one timers to left shots Goligoski or Daley on the left point. Unless they can't get a 2nd right player for the left point on the 2nd PP .... Gonchar seems to have been pushed out. I think they'd even go with Jordie on the left point over Gonchar unless he has a big rebound.

Gonchar on this team now to me seems more about being unable to move him than them hoping he rebounds. Neither Ruff or Nill have been talking much about him. I think I can remember one quote where Nill's mentioned him.

tl ; dr

Just because Gonchar is on the team doesn't mean you wont get your wish of him off the PP. He doesn't seem like a top option based on Ruff quotes.

Thar is really good news (for me). I think Daley is a better option than Gonchar so I'm all for that.

 

[Hull Fan]

Thar is really good news (for me). I think Daley is a better option than Gonchar so I'm all for that.

Daley's shot is so bad though. Can we at least try to get value out of Connauton and try him there first?

 

[TrillMike]

I really liked Eakin on the PP last year. He would actually get the puck on net.

 

[oconnor9sean]

I really liked Eakin on the PP last year. He would actually get the puck on net.

Eakin centering Spezza and Benn on the PP unit would be great. Then, you could either put Seguin on the left point on the top unit, or make the 2nd PP unit almost as strong.

Spezza-Eakin-Benn
Seguin-Goligoski

Only issue with that is that all of your high end face-off guys are on that unit, and the 2nd unit wouldnt really have a faceoff guy, unless Pevs is good to go.

Hemsky-Peverley-Nichushkin
Daley-Dillon/Benn/(Gonchar)

 

[oconnor9sean]

If you wanted to even out the PP units for 2 solid groups:

Seguin-Benn-Nichushkin
Daley-Goligoski

Spezza-Eakin-Hemsky
Peverly-Dillon

 

[NFKappaB]

If you wanted to even out the PP units for 2 solid groups:

Seguin-Benn-Nichushkin
Daley-Goligoski

Spezza-Eakin-Hemsky
Peverly-Dillon

I've personally never liked it when coaches did this. You get a 2 minute advantage, get your best players out there for as long as possible.

 

[BigG44]

Dallas Super PP Group got some attention from Puck Daddy.

Dallas converted at just 15.9 percent on the power play last season, despite being fourth in the NHL in power-play chances with 290. Seguin was fourth in scoring in the NHL thanks in part to 25 points on that power play. How high can he climb if this unit clicks?

He didn't back up this next interesting bit with any source:

While this Super Power-Play may not eventually stick together, plans are for Spezza to play with Seguin and Benn on the top unit this season. Spezza set up Seguin game-winner last night.

Be interested to hear who actually told him those plans or from what interview he is referring too. I have noticed any quotes from Ruff indicating that was the plan. Seems like a damn good plan considering you have Eakin to play center. So assuming the broke up the super group ...

Spezza-Benn-Nichushkin(?)
Seguin-Goligoski

Hemsky-Sceviour-Eakin
(?)-Daley

 

[ElGuapo]

What do you mean? He's saying the plans are for what we saw last night. It's not a big jump for him to say the same would happen to start the regular season. I'm just going by your quote didn't read the article.

 

[BigG44]

What do you mean? He's saying the plans are for what we saw last night. It's not a big jump for him to say the same would happen to start the regular season. I'm just going by your quote didn't read the article.

No he's not, and you just said you didn't read the article ...

While this Super Power-Play may not eventually stick together, plans are for Spezza to play with Seguin and Benn on the top unit this season. Spezza set up Seguin game-winner last night.

He's saying the super unit may or may not stick together, and if they are broken up ... they still intend on playing Spezza with Benn and Seguin.

If that is an accurate statement, that means Hemsky is an option to go down to the 2nd unit if they don't stick with the super group. The problem is, he didn't indicate who made this claim. He just presented it as a fact. I'd like to know if that's something Ruff or Nill said or just something he believes and presented the information incorrectly.

 

[ElGuapo]

Ah. Well that's not how I read it, although there are a couple ways that sentence could be interpreted. I read it as- While they plan to start the season with the 'super power play' group, which includes Spezza, there's no guarantee said 'super power play' will stay together.

 

[Satan]

No he's not, and you just said you didn't read the article ...



He's saying the super unit may or may not stick together, and if they are broken up ... they still intend on playing Spezza with Benn and Seguin.

If that is an accurate statement, that means Hemsky is an option to go down to the 2nd unit if they don't stick with the super group. The problem is, he didn't indicate who made this claim. He just presented it as a fact. I'd like to know if that's something Ruff or Nill said or just something he believes and presented the information incorrectly.

Bingo.


However, it's a long season. The powerplay will probably ebb and flow.

 

[Klockis]

@StarsInsideEdge 9m9 minutes ago
Power play unit this morning: Seguin-Jamie Benn-Spezza-Hemksy-Goligoski.

@StarsInsideEdge 2m2 minutes ago
Second power play unit: Garbutt-Eakin-Sceviour-Daley-Jordie Benn

That talent drop off. Also no Nichushkin, weird.

 

[BigG44]

I think most of it has to do with Nuke having muscle pull and being sick + Cole with his mystery absence.

I'm surprised though Garbutt is the backup Roussel.

Regardless, one of those two are probably the first choice.

 

[Johno]

Still no Connauton on the PP

 

[Klockis]

I think most of it has to do with Nuke having muscle pull and being sick + Cole with his mystery absence.

I'm surprised though Garbutt is the backup Roussel.

Regardless, one of those two are probably the first choice.

Completely forgot Roussel. Makes much more sense.

Still no Connauton on the PP

This make no sense though. Jordie over Connauton, really?

 

[glovesave_35]

This make no sense though. Jordie over Connauton, really?

It makes sense if Ruff values continuity over potential.

The writing is on the wall here with Connauton. He isn't going to get any real look on the PP and he isn't long for the Dallas Stars.

 

[Ermine]

When Dallas traded for Spezza, I was first worried how thing would work on PP. Benn and Seguin played often 1:30 of the PP. With another elite center, that time would drop to one minute. I thought Seguin might not liked that for sometimes it felt that even the 1:30 wasn't enough for him.

Then I realized that there really is no problem. Dallas could just put all their best weapons in one PP unit and let them play 1:30. I would have the PP units like this:

1st:
Benn - Spezza - Hemsky
Seguin - Goligoski

2nd:

Nuke - Eakin - Sceviour
Connauton/Daley - Gonchar (I know but... he has like a really nice shot! Or used to...)

 

[piqued]

Still no Connauton on the PP

Frustrating. What the 2nd unit needs more than anything else is someone who can take charge with all the big names absent and move the puck quickly to the offensive zone. As we've seen before Connauton can simply skate the puck past everyone. At the very least he takes the red line with speed and most of the time he can take the blue line with control.

I agree with the above posted formation. I'd have Gonchar out there at the other point just for the potential breakaway passes to Val which probably have as good of a chance of producing a goal as any setup.

 

[Stars99Lobo37]

Yay not having to wait 30 or however many PPs it was for a home powerplay goal this year!

 

[Troy McClure]

Frustrating. What the 2nd unit needs more than anything else is someone who can take charge with all the big names absent and move the puck quickly to the offensive zone. As we've seen before Connauton can simply skate the puck past everyone. At the very least he takes the red line with speed and most of the time he can take the blue line with control.

I agree with the above posted formation. I'd have Gonchar out there at the other point just for the potential breakaway passes to Val which probably have as good of a chance of producing a goal as any setup.

I've never seen Connauton display what you think he brings. He's not getting PP time because he's not very good.

 

[piqued]

As always, we are watching different games.