What do you think of how the Power Play will be run this year by committee as compared to last season? Will it improve or decline?

[IBatch]

17 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

Credit to Bo but come on he plays with Petey and Hughes on the powerplay. I think any player with a quick accurate release could find success there.

 

Similar to Nugent Hopkins in Edmonton, good player but look who he plays with. Difference is he’ll be making 3.5 mill less than Bo.

Yes.   Horvat became a tip master for one season.   We couldn't win with him, not sure Hronek is the long term gain, but we were losing him anyways, and it for sure will be nice to have an NHL caliber top four RHD.   EP can make up those goals on his own,  needs to be a little more selfless, and by committee.    Horvat was feasting on the PP.  

Edited September 9, 2023 by IBatch

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

Just now, Alflives said:

Horfat Wallet is a useless puck sucker. He plays for another team now. It’s time to bring the hate. After the trade New Beau was the better pkayer and that’s inarguable fact. Horfat Wallet will suck the life out of the Islanders’ room. That’s what elephants do. 

We are talking about each player's ability on the powerplay and nothing else.  There is a wide chasm between what they bring to the table.

 

Maybe if you actually just tried watching hockey instead of spewing nonsense all the time, you'd be able to recognize who is good and who isn't. 

[IBatch]

16 minutes ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

We are talking about each player's ability on the powerplay and nothing else.  There is a wide chasm between what they bring to the table.

 

Maybe if you actually just tried watching hockey instead of spewing nonsense all the time, you'd be able to recognize who is good and who isn't. 

It's because he's off the team, now the enemy.   Each player is given a pair of busteroo's as a parting gift on the way to the airport.     It's all in good fun with Alf. 

 

Reality is it won't be as easy without Horvat's final season with us, going back to the trade line before.    Expect it to take longer than just the pre-season.    Do think they could tighten up the points which will reduce odd man rushes against.   We scored one more shorty than we allowed.    And that when healthy, two units.   Forgot about Mikheyev .. adding Hronek,  Beau and him should help make two units.   Plus Pearson.   

Edited September 9, 2023 by IBatch

[Alflives]

9 minutes ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

We are talking about each player's ability on the powerplay and nothing else.  There is a wide chasm between what they bring to the table.

 

Maybe if you actually just tried watching hockey instead of spewing nonsense all the time, you'd be able to recognize who is good and who isn't. 

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

12 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

Credit to Bo but come on he plays with Petey and Hughes on the powerplay. I think any player with a quick accurate release could find success there.

 

Similar to Nugent Hopkins in Edmonton, good player but look who he plays with. Difference is he’ll be making 3.5 mill less than Bo.

 

8 minutes ago, IBatch said:

Yes.   Horvat became a tip master for one season.   We couldn't win with him, not sure Hronek is the long term gain, but we were losing him anyways, and it for sure will be nice to have an NHL caliber top four RHD.   EP can make up those goals on his own,  needs to be a little more selfless.    Horvat was feasting on the PP.  

Successfully playing the bumper in a 1-3-1 obviously demands a lot from all the players, but it's hard to find anyone who did it better than Horvat.  TJ Oshie had some success in Washington, and Pavelski gradually drifts up into the high slot for long distance tip-ins.  The key is to make quick decisions and plays without ever handling the puck.  Horvat wasn't a great passer (unlike RNH) but he was excellent at shooting the puck without time or space.  Watch his goals last year.  They would come out of nowhere.

 

So if we stick with a 1-3-1, who goes where?  Hughes up top, Petey on the strong side... and then what?  Miller usually goes weak side, and then.... Kuzmenko at the net... and... we have no bumper.  Maybe put Miller there and put Brock/Hronek on the weakside as a shooting option?

[hammertime]

Honestly more so than anything else the guy who can make the biggest impact on the success or failure of our PP this year is Brock. If he can turn our PP2 into a weapon that needs to be respected we will feast on the PP. The reason our PP sucks is because our PP2 sucks. As long as the opposition can kill off the first minute their pretty much home free.

Edited September 9, 2023 by hammertime

[IBatch]

23 minutes ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

 

Successfully playing the bumper in a 1-3-1 obviously demands a lot from all the players, but it's hard to find anyone who did it better than Horvat.  TJ Oshie had some success in Washington, and Pavelski gradually drifts up into the high slot for long distance tip-ins.  The key is to make quick decisions and plays without ever handling the puck.  Horvat wasn't a great passer (unlike RNH) but he was excellent at shooting the puck without time or space.  Watch his goals last year.  They would come out of nowhere.

 

So if we stick with a 1-3-1, who goes where?  Hughes up top, Petey on the strong side... and then what?  Miller usually goes weak side, and then.... Kuzmenko at the net... and... we have no bumper.  Maybe put Miller there and put Brock/Hronek on the weakside as a shooting option?

Mikheyev?  He's fast enough to move around in the slot.   Pearson maybe too, but better off on the second unit. 

 

Personally think without Horvat they will have to re-invent the wheel a little.   Miller plays the left side, usually first pass from QHs on his stick,  then looks for Bumper or EP.    Doesn't really matter who's infront of the net or slot, as long as they can take a beating and keep ticking, tip, get open at the right time, with passes coming in from both sides of the ice and even the points.   QHs shot might not be heavy, but they are perfect for tips.    Screen ability helps too.  Think of the guys we've got it's Brocks job to lose.   He's good at screens, can tip, is big enough to take it, and of course can shoot. 
 

Miller has a good shot too.   That's one option, just don't think we have even close to as good an option as him on the the side to pass the puck around (moving him to the bumper).     Another option is give that job to EP, and try Brock on the right side in his spot.  

 

Edited September 9, 2023 by IBatch

[Alflives]

10 minutes ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

 

Successfully playing the bumper in a 1-3-1 obviously demands a lot from all the players, but it's hard to find anyone who did it better than Horvat.  TJ Oshie had some success in Washington, and Pavelski gradually drifts up into the high slot for long distance tip-ins.  The key is to make quick decisions and plays without ever handling the puck.  Horvat wasn't a great passer (unlike RNH) but he was excellent at shooting the puck without time or space.  Watch his goals last year.  They would come out of nowhere.

 

So if we stick with a 1-3-1, who goes where?  Hughes up top, Petey on the strong side... and then what?  Miller usually goes weak side, and then.... Kuzmenko at the net... and... we have no bumper.  Maybe put Miller there and put Brock/Hronek on the weakside as a shooting option?

Horfat Walket sucks pucks. Islanders’ fans already hate the guy. He cheated the game to put up points in his contract year. He can’t cheat on the islanders and it sure showed in his stats. New Beau is the better player. 

[IBatch]

10 minutes ago, hammertime said:

Honestly more so than anything else the guy who can make the biggest impact on the success or failure of our PP this year is Brock. If he can turn our PP2 into a weapon that needs to be respected we will feast on the PP. The reason our PP sucks is because our PP2 sucks. As long as the opposition can kill off the fist minute their pretty much home free.

It's not just that, we overplay the first unit, give them the first 1:30-1:40, then as soon as they lose the puck the second go around, Myers jumps over the boards with only enough time to gain the zone, pass once or twice  and get at most one shot away, which almost always ends up giving them back possession, right when the penalty expires.   At least they shoot the puck though and aren't looking for the perfect play.   We haven't had a second unit since we traded Co-ho, and by then every team had the book on our first unit (went from 24. something, down well below 20 right away, and during the 2010-2011 season, the second unit was shoring up the first unit).   The peak Sedin era was good at keeping the puck and hemming in, but didn't score as many goals as people might think they did or remember. 

 

Edit:  Know players all want the PP time and rightly so.   Best way to increase your stats and score some goals, make some plays.   It's an important part of the game.   And can be used as a weapon, clock killer if you're ahead, or give you a shot at getting back in a game.   Feel we have the horses to got to a more traditional system.    Play 2 D's, 3 forwards and make two lines. 

Edited September 9, 2023 by IBatch

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

6 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Horfat Walket sucks pucks. Islanders’ fans already hate the guy. He cheated the game to put up points in his contract year. He can’t cheat on the islanders and it sure showed in his stats. New Beau is the better player. 

Nobody cares what you think about Horvat.  We are trying to discuss powerplay tactics and don't need you obsessively hating on him every opportunity.  

[Dr. Crossbar]

On 9/2/2023 at 6:10 PM, Elias Pettersson said:

Here is Hronek on two different power plays. The first one he is up high on the half wall and scores on the one timer. The second one he is on the right side and cuts into the middle of the ice again for a one timer. I think he can be moved around so we have options with him. 
 

 

 

I'm thinking he'll be able to alternate between PP1 and PP2. His shot is just too good on that side. It'll definitely load up PP1 on both sides with Petey but also bolster PP2. I can see Hronek and Brock sharing that spot between both units. Interesting options now.

[hammertime]

1 minute ago, IBatch said:

It's not just that, we overplay the first unit, give them the first 1:30-1:40, then as soon as they lose the puck the second go around, Myers jumps over the boards with only enough time to gain the zone, pass once or twice  and get at most one shot away, which almost always ends up giving them back possession, right when the penalty expires.   At least they shoot the puck though and aren't looking for the perfect play.   We haven't had a second unit since we traded Co-ho, and by then every team had the book on our first unit (went from 24. something, down well below 20 right away, and during the 2010-2011 season, the second unit was shoring up the first unit).   The peak Sedin era was good at keeping the puck and hemming in, but didn't score as many goals as people might think they did or remember. 

This ^

 

Brock is the wild card if he can get that shot back that he broke into the league with it will change everything. CoHoesque would be great heck I'd settle for Vanekesque. 

[Alflives]

4 minutes ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

Nobody cares what you think about Horvat.  We are trying to discuss powerplay tactics and don't need you obsessively hating on him every opportunity.  

[IBatch]

12 minutes ago, hammertime said:

This ^

 

Brock is the wild card if he can get that shot back that he broke into the league with it will change everything. CoHoesque would be great heck I'd settle for Vanekesque. 

Yes.  Can see Tochett bringing them in 10-20 seconds earlier.   Unless we've got a rash of injuries, no reason not to have two units really.   Fresher legs.   The best teams all-time, had two units, more or less evenly split one minute each.   Not saying we are that, but it does help, and often the last unit on scores after the players out of the box, PKers are gassed trying to keep up, ice the puck and the pressure is sustained longer. 

Edited September 9, 2023 by IBatch

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

11 minutes ago, IBatch said:

It's not just that, we overplay the first unit, give them the first 1:30-1:40, then as soon as they lose the puck the second go around, Myers jumps over the boards with only enough time to gain the zone, pass once or twice  and get at most one shot away, which almost always ends up giving them back possession, right when the penalty expires.   At least they shoot the puck though and aren't looking for the perfect play.   We haven't had a second unit since we traded Co-ho, and by then every team had the book on our first unit (went from 24. something, down well below 20 right away, and during the 2010-2011 season, the second unit was shoring up the first unit).   The peak Sedin era was good at keeping the puck and hemming in, but didn't score as many goals as people might think they did or remember. 

 

Edit:  Know players all want the PP time and rightly so.   Best way to increase your stats and score some goals, make some plays.   It's an important part of the game.   And can be used as a weapon, clock killer if you're ahead, or give you a shot at getting back in a game.   Feel we have the horses to got to a more traditional system.    Play 2 D's, 3 forwards and make two lines. 

We need the first unit to play with some urgency, but they seem comfortable trying to slowly break the PK down and spend 90 seconds attacking.  As you said, the second unit only gets a chance when the puck is cleared with no time to set up any play.  Maybe get the league to extend minor penalties another 30 seconds and we'd be okay.

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

21 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Alf, everyone here hates Horvat now.  Everyone.  You don't need to crusade against him anymore.  His ability has nothing to do with his attitude or his new contract.  And nobody thinks he's an objectively better player than Beauvillier.

[Ballisticsports.]

Maybe we won't score as many goals as when we had Bo ? (Certainly  glad we didn't sign him to that contract)

We needed a whole team identity, mindset and leadership top to bottom

I think players were given free reins to score and get contracts

If we now cut down significantly on goals against and while on our PP

I think we will be a better TEAM for it

[Ted Lasso]

Check out this site showing some of our successful PP tactics in the bubble year, with Boeser on the first unit.

 

The first two videos are free,

 

https://thecoachessite.com/vancouver-canucks-power-play-setups-videos/

[danjr]

My take is a little different.

 

This is a pretty  tough topic.  Mostly relies on line combinations.  So say line one has Petey and Kuz.  Line two has Brock and Miller.
If you field first unit with Petey, Kuz, Brock, Miller and Hughes.   If you score you automatically have to throw out the third line.  That is a real momentum sapper in most cases.
Ideally I would like to see one person off the third line.  That way line 2 could start after the power play if Unit one scores early.

If PP2 has Say Brock, Garland, mikhayev, Hronek and another D.  Then we could be good to start line one or two after the power play is done.

Hate the idea of loading a PP with guys from only the top two lines.  Especially on the road and say period 2.  The opponents will have their top two lines rested and going up against our third and fourth lines.  Really just don't want us to get a PP goal, and then give up an even strength goal just minutes later.

Most of this is assuming our third and fourth lines are going to be the traditional dumpster fires of the last few years.  If we manage to field a really strong third line, then by all means load up the PP1 with the top guns. 

[IBatch]

24 minutes ago, danjr said:

My take is a little different.

 

This is a pretty  tough topic.  Mostly relies on line combinations.  So say line one has Petey and Kuz.  Line two has Brock and Miller.
If you field first unit with Petey, Kuz, Brock, Miller and Hughes.   If you score you automatically have to throw out the third line.  That is a real momentum sapper in most cases.
Ideally I would like to see one person off the third line.  That way line 2 could start after the power play if Unit one scores early.

If PP2 has Say Brock, Garland, mikhayev, Hronek and another D.  Then we could be good to start line one or two after the power play is done.

Hate the idea of loading a PP with guys from only the top two lines.  Especially on the road and say period 2.  The opponents will have their top two lines rested and going up against our third and fourth lines.  Really just don't want us to get a PP goal, and then give up an even strength goal just minutes later.

Most of this is assuming our third and fourth lines are going to be the traditional dumpster fires of the last few years.  If we manage to field a really strong third line, then by all means load up the PP1 with the top guns. 

Good points.   A couple stats that were interesting, is the two worst PKs in the league, also scored the most short handed goals lol.   MTL and us.   Our PP also allowed the most shorthand goals.   For a net gain of exactly one goal.   Short handed goals are momentum killers, we allowed that 14 times and did it against others 15.   It for sure helped us win some of those Tochett games AND improved almost 15% over Bruce's PK, and that was without Horvat.   Miller and EP with one of Soucy or Cole.  Maybe both.    If our PK is 83% a 5%ish improvement to Tochetts last year, AND we can manage 15 goals short handed that would be good for some more wins for sure.   I've got us going from 69 goals allowed down to 50-54 average to slightly above average.   Any better than that is money. 

 

As for the PP, also thought about Miller running one, EP the other.    We could ice two legit units, just not sure we will be good enough.   At least this year, it won't be Myers on the ice facing the best in the world the shift after.   Hopefully anyways.   It's a momentum killer getting scored on shortly after having a power play too. 

Edited September 10, 2023 by IBatch