Ongoing Powerplay Discussion

[FrailSwan]

Desperate is a stretch. He has a more offensive option in Eakin who was winning plenty of faceoffs in the games I watched this year.

The argument isn't that Dallas needs to be concerned about winning the faceoff. The issue is that Gulutzan is once again hesitant to use a rookie with offensive upside instead of a veteran who clearly has no business to be on the PP.

Being gun shy in the NHL doesn't cut it. He needs to learn to develop players and trust them or he's not going to be around long. It's very clear what direction GMJN and Gaglardi want to see this team go. They haven't been talking up these young players for nothing. They want to be a team built from within. That' means sucking it up and dealing with the occasional blunders of a young player.

Against mainly AHL quality so that would make the point moot...

 

[BigG44]

Against mainly AHL quality so that would make the point moot...

That's truly absurd. You realize that right?

 

[LT]

Against mainly AHL quality so that would make the point moot...

Faceoffs aren't really a skill where you'll find a big difference in any league... It's more the rules that matter than anything.

 

[FrailSwan]

That's truly absurd. You realize that right?

So because he wins faceoffs in the AHL he's automatically going to have success in the NHL? I don't see any absurdity in that whatsoever. Not saying it won't happen. But let's see how he does, first, before jumping to that conclusion. That's all.

Edit: Better offensive option, yes. Not denying that. Better faceoff option..that's the only thing I question at this point.

 

[BigG44]

So because he wins faceoffs in the AHL he's automatically going to have success in the NHL? I don't see any absurdity in that whatsoever. Not saying it won't happen. But let's see how he does, first, before jumping to that conclusion. That's all.

No one was jumping to a conclusion. A players performance in the AHL is the exact information GMJN or Gaglardi or any one in hockey for that matter would use to project a player.

You're not going to bring Luke Gazdic up if you need someone to score goals. You bring up Matt Fraser.

The thing that was absurd to me is that anyone would question using AHL performance to project NHL roles. Essentially what you're saying is that we shouldn't put someone in a position they've succeeded in at lower levels. There's just a total disconnect there for me.

 

[BigG44]

Edit: Better offensive option, yes. Not denying that. Better faceoff option..that's the only thing I question at this point.

With this added note ... that has nothing to do with my point. I never insinuated his faceoff ability was better.

The point I made is that essentially removing yourself from the PP by throwing a useless offensive piece on the ice is poor coaching. It's now 4 on 4 and a faceoff specialist.

 

[Cin]

So because he wins faceoffs in the AHL he's automatically going to have success in the NHL? I don't see any absurdity in that whatsoever. Not saying it won't happen. But let's see how he does, first, before jumping to that conclusion. That's all.

Edit: Better offensive option, yes. Not denying that. Better faceoff option..that's the only thing I question at this point.

I see the point that you're trying to make, but there is absolutely no situation on any team in this league where Fiddler is a PP option. It also shows just how ****ing horrible our puck retention in the offensive zone is. If our only hope is just by winning the faceoffs when we've got an extra man out, then there's much more than a faceoff problem. Which it appears there is.

If the power play isn't over 20% this season, Gully is gone.

 

[BigG44]

.. and honestly just one more knock on Fiddler.

We're talking about a "faceoff specialist" that was just 50.9% last year. Not very special.

 

[MetalGodAOD*]

Its pretty obvious Fiddler is just a placeholder.

 

[LT]

A good sign, IMO, if that's all he is.

 

[BigG44]

Its pretty obvious Fiddler is just a placeholder.

Placeholder or not, my issue is there are useful options on the roster, and this isn't one of them. If Benn is signed tomorrow, you're probably looking at him still missing Saturday's game which means there's serious consideration for Fiddler playing on the PP in games that matter. That's silly. I want nothing more than for it to work out because I do want the Stars to start strong. We have over 500 games of NHL experience to point to though as legitimate concern Fiddler brings no value to the main goal of the PP ... scoring.

 

[MetalGodAOD*]

Desperate is a stretch. He has a more offensive option in Eakin who was winning plenty of faceoffs in the games I watched this year.

The argument isn't that Dallas needs to be concerned about winning the faceoff. The issue is that Gulutzan is once again hesitant to use a rookie with offensive upside instead of a veteran who clearly has no business to be on the PP.

Being gun shy in the NHL doesn't cut it. He needs to learn to develop players and trust them or he's not going to be around long. It's very clear what direction GMJN and Gaglardi want to see this team go. They haven't been talking up these young players for nothing. They want to be a team built from within. That' means sucking it up and dealing with the occasional blunders of a young player.

I'd agree with this completely. Gulutzan's reliance on his veterans is the most frustrating part about his coaching. The fact he basically gives guys like Morrow and Fiddler a free pass because "the kids who've been skating will of course look better" is bogus. If the kids look better, they deserve the spot.

 

[LT]

Placeholder or not, my issue is there are useful options on the roster, and this isn't one of them. If Benn is signed tomorrow, you're probably looking at him still missing Saturday's game which means there's serious consideration for Fiddler playing on the PP in games that matter. That's silly. I want nothing more than for it to work out because I do want the Stars to start strong. We have over 500 games of NHL experience to point to though as legitimate concern Fiddler brings no value to the main goal of the PP ... scoring.

Why...?

 

[BigG44]

Why...?

He hasn't played in over a month, and I doubt the team risks just throwing him into game action and full contact. More importantly, he's not even in Dallas. If the deal's signed tomorrow .. there's now a rush to book a flight and actually get to the city. The practice is late tomorrow which is helpful, but it's doubtful he'd make it in time. Now you're looking at one practice before a game.

I left it open for the possibility since obviously this season could be a bit unpredictable, but it just doesn't seem like a safe move ... and that's not a Dallas move. They're overly cautious at times which isn't necessarily a bad thing all the time.

My point is today seemed like a reasonable deadline to get him signed and in Saturday's game, and I believe several media members have mentioned this soft deadline referring to other RFAs as well.

 

[FrailSwan]

I see the point that you're trying to make, but there is absolutely no situation on any team in this league where Fiddler is a PP option. It also shows just how ****ing horrible our puck retention in the offensive zone is. If our only hope is just by winning the faceoffs when we've got an extra man out, then there's much more than a faceoff problem. Which it appears there is.

If the power play isn't over 20% this season, Gully is gone.

Never, ever, ever. I really hope this doesn't actually happen.

And isn't Fraser doing the PP?

 

[FrailSwan]

He hasn't played in over a month, and I doubt the team risks just throwing him into game action and full contact. More importantly, he's not even in Dallas. If the deal's signed tomorrow .. there's now a rush to book a flight and actually get to the city. The practice is late tomorrow which is helpful, but it's doubtful he'd make it in time. Now you're looking at one practice before a game.

I left it open for the possibility since obviously this season could be a bit unpredictable, but it just doesn't seem like a safe move ... and that's not a Dallas move. They're overly cautious at times which isn't necessarily a bad thing all the time.

My point is today seemed like a reasonable deadline to get him signed and in Saturday's game, and I believe several media members have mentioned this soft deadline referring to other RFAs as well.

Assuming he gets here in time and wants to play, he might not have played in a month but he's still been doing practices and drills with the Victoria Royals to stay in shape. It wouldn't be any more of a risk than the rest of the guys. The biggest factor going against him will be the getting back here portion.

 

[LT]

He hasn't played in over a month, and I doubt the team risks just throwing him into game action and full contact. More importantly, he's not even in Dallas. If the deal's signed tomorrow .. there's now a rush to book a flight and actually get to the city. The practice is late tomorrow which is helpful, but it's doubtful he'd make it in time. Now you're looking at one practice before a game.

I left it open for the possibility since obviously this season could be a bit unpredictable, but it just doesn't seem like a safe move ... and that's not a Dallas move. They're overly cautious at times which isn't necessarily a bad thing all the time.

My point is today seemed like a reasonable deadline to get him signed and in Saturday's game, and I believe several media members have mentioned this soft deadline referring to other RFAs as well.

I really hope he plays (and signs first)

Going mostly to see Jagr, but Benn is my favorite player too. Oh well.

I don't know what to make of Gully anymore... I'm not going to read into these combos too much though, we'll see what we get on Saturday.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Surely Wade Redden will cure what ails us!



(He's still likely a better option out there than Fiddler!)

 

[Alistar]

I see the point that you're trying to make, but there is absolutely no situation on any team in this league where Fiddler is a PP option. It also shows just how ****ing horrible our puck retention in the offensive zone is. If our only hope is just by winning the faceoffs when we've got an extra man out, then there's much more than a faceoff problem. Which it appears there is.

If the power play isn't over 20% this season, Gully is gone.

uhhh there were like 3 teams last year that had power play percentages of over 20%. It's easier said then done. 18% is a probably a good goal to shoot for - that would be a massive improvement over last season.

 

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Baby steps. Let's shoot for 14% for now.

Also, I'm going to suggest that Fiddler and Morrow are on the power play not because of Glen's love of veterans, but because these guys are actually better.

 

[Czech Your Math]

uhhh there were like 3 teams last year that had power play percentages of over 20%. It's easier said then done. 18% is a probably a good goal to shoot for - that would be a massive improvement over last season.

Exactly, came here to post that.

They were last in the league with 13.5 PP% last season, have some new top 6 forwards, Benn is unsigned, perhaps not the best point men on D.
League average (17-18%) seems a fair, but still ambitious goal.

 

[Cin]

uhhh there were like 3 teams last year that had power play percentages of over 20%. It's easier said then done. 18% is a probably a good goal to shoot for - that would be a massive improvement over last season.

With the team we have it's VERY doable.

Whitney, Jagr, Benn, Larsen, Goligoski, Eriksson, Morrow.

There's no reason 20% is too much to ask for.

 

[The Frugal Gourmet]

With the team we have it's VERY doable.

Whitney, Jagr, Benn, Larsen, Goligoski, Eriksson, Morrow.

There's no reason 20% is too much to ask for.

Not good enough from the point. Not tough enough in front of the net, although Morrow having a rebound season would really help.

I noticed you forgot Roy, though. He's quite talented. And Ryder.

 

[Cin]

Considering they brought Goli in to help the transition game and the PP, he better show up.

Score 1 in every 5 PP's. Shouldn't be that hard, shoot for the moon or you won't get anywhere.

 

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Considering they brought Goli in to help the transition game and the PP, he better show up.

Score 1 in every 5 PP's. Shouldn't be that hard, shoot for the moon or you won't get anywhere.

That's a lot of presure on Goli and odds are he won't deliver. They took a chance that he might have a bigger upside someday (still might), but I would not bank on it or assume this is a suddenly a top 3 power play in the league.