Line Combos: Penalty Kill

[Blue Blooded]

I was thinking about our forward corps and how we have gone from almost exclusively 2-way forwards 2010-2012 to quite few at the moment. Then it continued on to how much worse our PK was the past season, and how we really should get another PK:er who can take the load off of Stepan, Hagelin, and Callahan who may be more valuable elsewhere.

Then it struck me that Hagelin and Callahan won't be available to start the season.

Do you realize how awful our PK is going to be?

Boyle - X
Stepan - X
X - X

Moore will hopefully be able to chip in. Dorsett PK:ed in Columbus, but he is mostly in the box when the PK is out.

Pyatt isn't really a PK:er. Richards, Brassard, Zuccarello, and Pouliot definitely aren't.

Boyle - Dorsett
Stepan - Moore
Richards - Pyatt (!?)

IMO this is an overlooked area of concern.

Click to read more...

 

[Calad]

One of the main reasons Moore was signed was his PK ability. Nash will probably play some shifts on the PK till they get back, hopefully Dorsett will too.

 

[Blue Blooded]

One of the main reasons Moore was signed was his PK ability. Nash will probably play some shifts on the PK till they get back, hopefully Dorsett will too.

I honestly forgot that Nash can PK. But while he is a genuine shorthanded threat, you hardly want him to exert energy better spent elsewhere on the PK. That and the fact that is is a bit too offensive minded to be a solid PK:er.

I'd love to somehow trick Ottawa into giving us Condra for something like Pyatt and a pick.

 

[Tawnos]

You need 7 forwards capable of PK. 2 main pairs, one secondary pair and one backup player for when guys are in the box.

Boyle
Callahan
Stepan
Hagelin
Moore
Nash
Dorsett

Powe
Kristo/Lindberg (if we're talking about the start of the year)

 

[Tawnos]

By the way, I'm hoping that our PK will be slightly more dynamic under Samuelsson. The ability to adjust to different teams powerplays can be very useful.

 

[Callagraves]

Step, Dorsett, Moore, Boyle, Nash(?!)

 

[Thirty One]

Penalty kill is probably the area where there's the smallest drop-off between the impact of an above average player and a below average one.

 

[Tawnos]

Penalty kill is probably the area where there's the smallest drop-off between the impact of an above average player and a below average one.

It's all about coaching and tenacity. I could actually see Zuccarello developing into a decent PKer.

 

[Raspewtin]

Stepan-Boyle first pair
Dorsett-Moore second

Nash can PK and is good at it, and the others depend on who we call up in place of Hags/Cally

What about Kreider on the PK? He's fast and rangy, also is a huge threat to score shorthanded.

 

[SirKillalot]

Zuccarello can definitively play PK if needed. Should use him more there. At least more than nothing at all.

 

[Miller Time NYR]

Regardless of personnel the pk will be better because guys are going to play real defense rather then just lay on the ice

 

[Callagraves]

Regardless of personnel the pk will be better because guys are going to play real defense rather then just lay on the ice

Come on now. The Pk was one of the best in the league under torts

 

[Thordic]

Doesn't Pouliot PK or am I imagining things?

 

[Tawnos]

Doesn't Pouliot PK or am I imagining things?

Imagining things.

 

[Blue Seat Spartan]

Stepan-Boyle first pair
Dorsett-Moore second

Nash can PK and is good at it, and the others depend on who we call up in place of Hags/Cally

What about Kreider on the PK? He's fast and rangy, also is a huge threat to score shorthanded.

Regardless of personnel the pk will be better because guys are going to play real defense rather then just lay on the ice

With Cally & Hags shelved for the start of the season, expect to see PK units reminiscent of the early 90s when even scoring stars saw their share of penalty-killing duties... My guesses as to the PK lines to start the season?

PK1: Nash-Stepan
McDonagh-Girardi

PK2: Boyle-D. Moore
Staal-Stralman

If the situation warrants (i.e. one of the forwards I listed are in the sin bin), expect to see Kreider or MZA out on the ice to pressure the opponent's point men with their quickness and tenacity, maybe popping in a few shorthanded goals for good measure. I can't vouch for Dorsett's PK attributes... can somebody fill me in on that?

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I think this is a good discussion.

Part of the problem last year was not having Staal on the PK. He might be the best PK skater on the team and getting him back to full strength would be huge.

 

[eco's bones]

It's best to have at least 3 sets of forwards in any given game. If you're a third/fourth line forward looking for some extra ice time pk'ing is something you should set your sights on. It will make you much more valuable to your team and injury barring should make your career longer. This is the crux of my argument against Pyatt. He's useless on special teams. He's not much better 5 on 5. He's not very physical. He does not protect teammates. What does he do?

 

[JohnC]

I think this is a good discussion.

Part of the problem last year was not having Staal on the PK. He might be the best PK skater on the team and getting him back to full strength would be huge.

Definitely an overlooked point. I still remember the 5-on-3 against Buffalo (?) where Staal went HAM

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

Zuccarello can definitively play PK if needed. Should use him more there. At least more than nothing at all.

He's been fairly successful there in Hartford and Sweden, and also did som pk'ing in Russia. I'm sure he can contribute in a pinch, but he's best used if he can play to his strengths. Blocking shots and defensive positioning aren't among them.

 

[clmetsfan]

Given the injuries to Cally and Hags, Darroll Powe could earn himself a roster spot just for his PK ability.

 

[Fitzy]

I have had an issue with our PK personnel two years in a row now, and that some people are advocating trading Boyle with it as it is is unthinkable to me.

Right now, a team needs seven guys. Three pairings, and one replacement for a penalty to one of the top 6.

We have Boyle, Moore, and Stepan with the injuries to Hagelin and Callahan. We will need participation from; Nash, Richards, and very possibly Pyatt.

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

Given the injuries to Cally and Hags, Darroll Powe could earn himself a roster spot just for his PK ability.

If that means Boyle or Dorsett takes a spot on the third line wing and the fourth line is Powe-More-Dorsett/Boyle, well be more than fine.

 

[NYR Viper]

Boyle
Stepan
Callahan
Hagelin
Moore
Dorsett

That's going to be the (6) when they are healthy.

Nash
Pouliot
Pyatt
Powe (when playing)

Can all PK if need be

Kristo PK'd in college
Kreider PK'd in college a bit
Lindberg is a good PKer
Fast Pk'd in Sweden

 

[eco's bones]

I have had an issue with our PK personnel two years in a row now, and that some people are advocating trading Boyle with it as it is is unthinkable to me.

Right now, a team needs seven guys. Three pairings, and one replacement for a penalty to one of the top 6.

We have Boyle, Moore, and Stepan with the injuries to Hagelin and Callahan. We will need participation from; Nash, Richards, and very possibly Pyatt.

Pyatt killed no penalties for us last year--and I'm pretty sure Phoenix didn't use him at all for that either. Powe might be around at least until Callahan and Hagelin show up.

The way I look at it those available without Callahan/Hagelin--Boyle, Dorsett, Dominic Moore, Stepan, Powe-- Nash as an emergency. Richards I don't think is a good option. Pouliot? Brassard? We might need another option early in the season.

 

[Kris Chreider]

Stepan-Boyle first pair
Dorsett-Moore second

Nash can PK and is good at it, and the others depend on who we call up in place of Hags/Cally

What about Kreider on the PK? He's fast and rangy, also is a huge threat to score shorthanded.

Kreider's defensive IQ is already pretty bad, I wouldn't trust him on the PK unless we absolutely needed to. Rather have Miller or Kristo in that spot. I'm hoping he can become a solid two way player since he was one in college.