Good point on Tuch's lack of urgency on the PP - he went from being active off-puck to nearly stationary over the last year - it's similar to the complaints about Okposo on the 2nd unit. He has a job there to go to the front of the net (similar to Tuch on PP1). There aren't really any other players they have attempted to use in that role nor anyone who has shown an aptitude to do that. Who is supposed to be the net front screen if there is no one else?
They have leaned way too hard into small-playing all-skill guys without bringing out a level of toughness in the ones they already have. I doubt the demand in the room between players is the same in Buffalo as it is for a team like the Bruins. It's not like the Bruins are just filled with murderous intent as much as they are with those willing to play a more classic type of game that involves both contact and embracing defensive responsibility.
It's clear that a lot of guys do not have confidence in one another. Some guys are chasing the play that their teammate already has handled - Jost has done it a few games ago below the net, then RJohnson in the Blues' game - and there are way too many who are not paying attention to details. The players have to want to play the right way - there is no way Granato alone is going to draw that out of them.
