Player Discussion Patrik Laine: wearing a regular practice jersey

[26Mats]

Caufield and Laine should not be on the same unit.....this also leaves Dach with very little to work with on the 2nd unit

The 2nd unit might be:

Dvo (good around the net)
Dach Newhook Roy
Hutson/Matheson

It will help having Demidov next year.

And 1st unit:

Suzuki (Rover, in Gretzky's office)
Laine Caufield Slaf
Hutson/Matheson

(Even if Laine or Caufield are moved to the 2nd unit, I don't know who stands in front of the net on the first unit. Maybe Slaf, though I like him on the half wall).

 

[sampollock]

MSL caring for the PP this year. should be better with PL as well

 

[RageQuit77]

MSL caring for the PP this year. should be better with PL as well

That's the default.

Best thing concerning PL here is that he can actually make very good PP passes too. It was sometimes painful to watch how Patrik wasted those crispy saucers to be missed or "shot", only because some locker room talk from "leaders" required him to do so, for sake of some egos, team play, and whatnot...

Then some guys decided that Patrik is not good target to pass (during PP), and you did see how the man was devastated, on screen, real time... It was ugly to watch how the talent was wasted.

Toronto fanboys laughed how Patrik doesn't even make shots! How could've he done when the doghouse was built around him so great that no wonder if The Artist sniper fails when nobody feed an ammo...

Patrik the Sniper was ruined by pettiness.

(I couldn't be happy for Maurice after the Final, knowing that sheep had no say in the Winnipeg locker room.)

 

[Wats]

Pretty excited for him and Dach to create some magic. Feel like two giant toolsy guys (Dach the playmaker and Liane the shooter) clicking will be really hard to contain.

Newhook could be the speedy high energy puck-hound to help retrieve the puck for them. Fill in until Demidov is here.

Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Newhook/Demidov - Dach - Laine

We're due for some things going our way... hopefully this is the year Habs breakout.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

The 2nd unit might be:

Dvo (good around the net)
Dach Newhook Roy
Hutson/Matheson

It will help having Demidov next year.

And 1st unit:

Suzuki (Rover, in Gretzky's office)
Laine Caufield Slaf
Hutson/Matheson

(Even if Laine or Caufield are moved to the 2nd unit, I don't know who stands in front of the net on the first unit. Maybe Slaf, though I like him on the half wall).

We almost certainly will run a 1-3-1 where there is not necessarily a designated net front presence as depending on where the shot is coming from as the bumper or low post player may jump in for a screen/tip attempt.

Caufield is a poor choice as a bumper as he is just too small to handle the puck in the middle of the box and willl not be very good at boxing out and bumping passes. There is no "Gretzky's office" in any contemporary powerplay as it is generally a bad idea to hold the puck behind the net and pass in the direction of an opposing breakaway where you no longer have a numbers advantage due to the extra attacker being the furthest from his own goal.

Imo Caufield and Laine just don't work on paper as PP linemates as they are both most effective in the exact same spot on the left dot and are drastically less effective anywhere else on the ice. Hutson or Matheson should be the lone point man at the top of the formation with Slaf being the low player and Newhook in the bumper and Suzuki on the right wall. Suzuki, Slaf and Newhook can all rotate through these positions during a power play to create movement while Caufield or Laine try and sit in a seam. You will also see Suzuki do high re-entries to get lost and switch with Matheson or Hutson at the top.

Dach, Roy and Dvorak/Armia take the place of Suzuki, Slaf and Newhook on the next unit with Caufield/Laine and Matheson/Hutson.

 

[26Mats]

We almost certainly will run a 1-3-1 where there is not necessarily a designated net front presence as depending on where the shot is coming from as the bumper or low post player may jump in for a screen/tip attempt.

Caufield is a poor choice as a bumper as he is just too small to handle the puck in the middle of the box and willl not be very good at boxing out and bumping passes. There is no "Gretzky's office" in any contemporary powerplay as it is generally a bad idea to hold the puck behind the net and pass in the direction of an opposing breakaway where you no longer have a numbers advantage due to the extra attacker being the furthest from his own goal.

Imo Caufield and Laine just don't work on paper as PP linemates as they are both most effective in the exact same spot on the left dot and are drastically less effective anywhere else on the ice. Hutson or Matheson should be the lone point man at the top of the formation with Slaf being the low player and Newhook in the bumper and Suzuki on the right wall. Suzuki, Slaf and Newhook can all rotate through these positions during a power play to create movement while Caufield or Laine try and sit in a seam. You will also see Suzuki do high re-entries to get lost and switch with Matheson or Hutson at the top.

Dach, Roy and Dvorak/Armia take the place of Suzuki, Slaf and Newhook on the next unit with Caufield/Laine and Matheson/Hutson.

Yeah, I use the term Grtzky's office, but it's really more a combo of goal line playmaker, net front presence, rover, and occasional play making from behind the net. I thought Suzuki did well in that role last year. I also like Slaf on the halfwall. So it will be interesting if they continue with Slaf on the halfwall or if Suzuki takes that spot and Slaf goes to net front presence.

It will also be interesting if the do go Laine one unit and ole on the other unit. With Dach that would make a good second unit.

 

[Guess]

We almost certainly will run a 1-3-1 where there is not necessarily a designated net front presence as depending on where the shot is coming from as the bumper or low post player may jump in for a screen/tip attempt.

Caufield is a poor choice as a bumper as he is just too small to handle the puck in the middle of the box and willl not be very good at boxing out and bumping passes. There is no "Gretzky's office" in any contemporary powerplay as it is generally a bad idea to hold the puck behind the net and pass in the direction of an opposing breakaway where you no longer have a numbers advantage due to the extra attacker being the furthest from his own goal.

Imo Caufield and Laine just don't work on paper as PP linemates as they are both most effective in the exact same spot on the left dot and are drastically less effective anywhere else on the ice. Hutson or Matheson should be the lone point man at the top of the formation with Slaf being the low player and Newhook in the bumper and Suzuki on the right wall. Suzuki, Slaf and Newhook can all rotate through these positions during a power play to create movement while Caufield or Laine try and sit in a seam. You will also see Suzuki do high re-entries to get lost and switch with Matheson or Hutson at the top.

Dach, Roy and Dvorak/Armia take the place of Suzuki, Slaf and Newhook on the next unit with Caufield/Laine and Matheson/Hutson.

I also want to see them spread out just for the fun possibility of having two great power plays and a healthy competition between them which would only help.

 

[bsl]

Caufield and Laine should not be on the same unit.....this also leaves Dach with very little to work with on the 2nd unit

I agree to a certain extent. But teams are more and more loading the first unit and playing it 2 mins. But I’ve never seen a pp with 2 snipers from the left wall. I think cc will need to be a dangerous rover. Keep moving into dangerous areas. Anywhere.

 

[le_sean]

I agree to a certain extent. But teams are more and more loading the first unit and playing it 2 mins. But I’ve never seen a pp with 2 snipers from the left wall. I think cc will need to be a dangerous rover. Keep moving into dangerous areas. Anywhere.

Laine is 6’5. He could play the bumper if need be instead of Newhook/Dach. That’s not the type of player you can leave alone in front, it could open up lanes.

But I agree with you. You need to load up PP1 and play it 1.5 mins every opportunity. Guys don’t get tired on the PP.

 

[sampollock]

Laine is 6’5. He could play the bumper if need be instead of Newhook/Dach. That’s not the type of player you can leave alone in front, it could open up lanes.

But I agree with you. You need to load up PP1 and play it 1.5 mins every opportunity. Guys don’t get tired on the PP.

PL shot will be awesome. CC and PL give us that shot
MSL will have fun this year with the PP

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Pretty excited for him and Dach to create some magic. Feel like two giant toolsy guys (Dach the playmaker and Liane the shooter) clicking will be really hard to contain.

Newhook could be the speedy high energy puck-hound to help retrieve the puck for them. Fill in until Demidov is here.

Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Newhook/Demidov - Dach - Laine

We're due for some things going our way... hopefully this is the year Habs breakout.

Dach and Laine are a match made by the hockey Gods.

 

[The Great Weal]

Laine's got 38 PPP in his last 174 games. I don't expect him to make our PP drastically better. That being said, if he's on the 1st unit with CC/Suzuki/Slaf/Matheson he could do better than what was given to him in Columbus.

 

[Deebs]

Dach and Laine are a match made by the hockey Gods.

I agree. Silky mitts over to the cannon.... just lovely.

 

[Naslundforever]

I agree. Silky mitts over to the cannon.... just lovely.

Dach through the press box… To Laine in the infirmary… He yawns! Snoooooooooooze!!!

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Dach through the press box… To Laine in the infirmary… He yawns! Snoooooooooooze!!!

Your apathy and fandom is inspiring

 

[Ozmodiar]

The 2nd unit might be:

Dvo (good around the net)
Dach Newhook Roy
Hutson/Matheson

It will help having Demidov next year.

And 1st unit:

Suzuki (Rover, in Gretzky's office)
Laine Caufield Slaf
Hutson/Matheson

(Even if Laine or Caufield are moved to the 2nd unit, I don't know who stands in front of the net on the first unit. Maybe Slaf, though I like him on the half wall).

Keep in mind, the 2nd unit could feature 2 defensemen. If they stack the first unit, the 2nd will get ~ 20, 25 seconds of PP time … they’ll have to play a little even strength afterwards.

 

[Redux91]

Dach through the press box… To Laine in the infirmary… He yawns! Snoooooooooooze!!!

 

[Ozmodiar]

Laine is 6’5. He could play the bumper if need be instead of Newhook/Dach. That’s not the type of player you can leave alone in front, it could open up lanes.

But I agree with you. You need to load up PP1 and play it 1.5 mins every opportunity. Guys don’t get tired on the PP.

Yeah, if you have Laine - Caufield - Suzuki across the middle of the 1-3-1, opposing PKs are going to have decisions to make.

Suzuki loves to shoot from the right side. If they take that away, either CC or Laine will be open. If they cheat, Slaf will be a nightmare down low.

OTOH, if they stick Newhook in the bumper, other teams will cover the big guns and take their chances by leaving Newhook alone.

Good PPs force defenses to make tough decisions. The Habs finally have the personnel to do it.

 

[26Mats]

Keep in mind, the 2nd unit could feature 2 defensemen. If they stack the first unit, the 2nd will get ~ 20, 25 seconds of PP time … they’ll have to play a little even strength afterwards.

Roy
Dach Caufield/Newhook Hutson/Matheson
Barron/Xhekaj/Mailloux/Reinbacher

 

[Ozmodiar]

Roy
Dach Caufield/Newhook Hutson/Matheson
Barron/Xhekaj/Mailloux/Reinbacher

If they go spread:
Dach —— Roy
Newhook
Hutson —— Mailloux

If 1-3-1:
Roy
Dach - Newhook - Xhekaj
Hutson

 

[themilosh]

Pretty excited for him and Dach to create some magic. Feel like two giant toolsy guys (Dach the playmaker and Liane the shooter) clicking will be really hard to contain.

Newhook could be the speedy high energy puck-hound to help retrieve the puck for them. Fill in until Demidov is here.

Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Newhook/Demidov - Dach - Laine

We're due for some things going our way... hopefully this is the year Habs breakout.

Throw in the tragedy out of Columbus and id be surprised if Laine doesnt see the massive opportunity staring him in the face.

 

[Farmboy Patty]

I agree. Silky mitts over to the cannon.... just lovely.

MSL has the pieces. Just make it work

 

[HuGort]

He demanded a trade, Montreal was one of few suitors. It no lose for us, could be colossal gain.

 

[Marioesque]

That's the default.

Best thing concerning PL here is that he can actually make very good PP passes too. It was sometimes painful to watch how Patrik wasted those crispy saucers to be missed or "shot", only because some locker room talk from "leaders" required him to do so, for sake of some egos, team play, and whatnot...

Then some guys decided that Patrik is not good target to pass (during PP), and you did see how the man was devastated, on screen, real time... It was ugly to watch how the talent was wasted.

Toronto fanboys laughed how Patrik doesn't even make shots! How could've he done when the doghouse was built around him so great that no wonder if The Artist sniper fails when nobody feed an ammo...

Patrik the Sniper was ruined by pettiness.

(I couldn't be happy for Maurice after the Final, knowing that sheep had no say in the Winnipeg locker room.)

I agree with a lot of this. I was happy for PoMo winning and finally having a captain worth his worship. It was misplaced in WPG

Healthy Laine, team leaning into his strengths, he can go far above 100 pts. It finally needs done. Play him on LW, PP1 on the right, you'll have a top 5 player

 

[NewDef]

I agree to a certain extent. But teams are more and more loading the first unit and playing it 2 mins. But I’ve never seen a pp with 2 snipers from the left wall. I think cc will need to be a dangerous rover. Keep moving into dangerous areas. Anywhere.

That rover role will be Roy in a short while. He's so opportunistic.