Bennrocks
Registered User
- Mar 19, 2011
- 3,077
- 0
yeah, well, it can only go one direction.
Yes it can only get worse
yeah, well, it can only go one direction.
maybe, maybe not. often the best of players can't understand how to shape other player's lesser abilities into success. i don't think there's anyone on this current team that could come close to replicating zubov's play on the point. maybe ribs, but who else has that style/ skill set?
At some point Niewy has to do something about the PP. Whether its bringing in a PP specialist, removing Gulutzan from managing it in favor of another coach, or doing like LA did and having Modano be a special assistant. We'd easily be in the playoffs with even an average PP.
The PP converted at a staggering 6.9% in January. Keepin' teams honest.
Don't let Goligoski go deep in the slot. Ever.
Same should be said of any D-man. This play came with Gulutzan from the AHL (where it wasn't that great either, pretty sure the Texas PP sucked too). Larsen was best at it, he scored a playoff goal or two with this strategy. Its Gulutzan's baby, but it just doesn't work in the NHL level. It's stupid and Pejorative Slured. I think we've had it do something only once this entire season. They abandoned it for most of the year, but for some reason its back now.
I hope Joe realizes that the coaching staff needs a different PP guy next season. Trying letting Willie run it, or get a new assistant who can. I don't get why GMs let coaches with horrible PP track records keep running it.
Using this as a jumping off point...How To Fix Our Powerplay:
Eriksson - Ribeiro - Ryder
Goligoski - Benn
Using this as a jumping off point...
This probably won't be a popular suggestion since many people dislike the umbrella... but I think it might make sense in the Stars' current situation.
We have a fundamental lack of defensemen who can contribute with the man-advantage. Souray can't get his shot through, Robidas makes mind-numbingly bad decisions and can't get his shot through, Daley's ceiling is as a 2nd unit guy and can't hit the net with his shot, and Larsen isn't trusted by the staff yet. So that leaves Goligoski who isn't playing well.
Part of his problem is he tends to get a little jumpy near the boards when he's trying to hold the zone. He's at his best when he's got some open ice to work with and better shooting angles. How would he respond if he was the unquestioned tip of the spear, as Razor would say? Put him in a situation where he can't defer to anyone or act tentative. He needs to feel complete ownership of the PP -- he's got to the be the director out there and fully embrace that role.
Then there's the problem of Benn getting 30 useless seconds of PP mop-up time with such offensive luminaries as Ott and Burish. Get him on the damn first unit. It's Game 77 or whatever. Abandon the bankrupt lines approach. Load it up with our talent and keep them out there as long as they can go.
I'd also move Ribs around. He tends to get too comfortable on the half-wall and ends up killing more time than he generates chances. Put him further down low where he can potentially find Goligoski at the point back through the seams for a one-timer (they have a good feel for where each other will be) or alternatively to Ryder on the other angle. Loui's got the front of the net and he can drift in and out. Keep Benn fairly high (but not at a point) so he can potentially get back and help out defensively if need be.
Oh, by the way, after that shameful performance in San Jose the Stars officially have the worst PP in the NHL.