Good point about the usage of Lane Hutson coach. I get the urge to use him more but people have to forget he has never played at this level and he has never played this many game. Fatigue doesn't only lead to mistake, fatigue can lead to injuries. Habs are not setting him up for a great first year, they are setting him for a great career.
You made a great point about the indirect shots that players need to take as well. I think of Caulfield setting up on the power-play and trying to snipe the perfect shot every time. If he just put it into the goalies pads, the hat power-play would be at 40% with rebounds and deflections.
Thank God, somebody else said it! That drop back to Suzuki for the power play. Every single time is getting so old it’s unbelievable! It also doesn’t work because every team knows exactly what they’re gonna do every single time.
Also, I know Arbour Xhekaj is not a power-play specialist but he has a canon for a shot. He needs to get some experience up there and be taught to just play that shot like Sheldon Souray to. Imagine if Caulfield Slaf and Suzuki were moving their feet and causing havoc in front of the net. How much space there would be for a one timer from Xhekaj. Even if he doesn’t score there’s rebounds and tips to be had.
Question coach: Had a a discussion with a friend of mine. He is disapointed in Slafkovsky's game this year. I said he is not quite that bad but I agree that something is lacking. My theory is that he is playing with multiple injuries. Last season, his game was 70% skill, 30% power. This year, his game is only 10% power. When he engages physically, it lacks authority. He also lacks a second gear in terms of speed. What do you think?
@rick1042 I agree that something is lingering. Remember he missed practice earlier this season for a "therapy" day. I believe it's his right shoulder. It looks like he's trying to avoid contact to that side as much as possible. But, another reason for his lack of that second gear is the change is style of play. Last season, he was given the simple task of being more physical and getting to the next front. This season, the additional defensive responsibilities have him behind the play instead of ahead of it. Remember, he wasn't expected to play a defensive game in Slovakia.
@@mtlhockeytalk I agree coach, the shoulder is probably a problem. Also, i can't attach pics here, but google "Slafkovsky knee brace pic". Before the Toronto game, CBC was filming the players in the locker room at Slaf is wearing a big old knee brace.
Great show coach. I wanted to get your thoughts on the breakout. Agree that often the Habs D do not skate their way out of trouble and force passes up the wall leading to turnovers. Often don’t regroup so pucks go to players in the neutral zone that are standing still or are covered leading to loss of possession. Do you think the Habs could do a better job supporting the puck in their own zone leading to cleaner zone exits? This would lead to less lobs out of the zone and hopefully more speed through the neutral zone. Also we seem to try long stretch passes to players between the red line and the opposing team’s blue line. Sure they are trying to catch the other team and set up odd man rushes. Works some times but is a lower % play. Risk of a neutral zone turnover or an icing call. Both can be bad setting up the other team on transition or more Dzone face-offs.
@jamessneddon9956 Totally agree about the breakout. I've already mentioned the forwards like to jump the zone and leave the D without options to pass the puck, so they either go off the glass or flip the puck out. Very low % of success. It comes back to what I say about the backcheckers. F1 need to be available as support to the defensemen & as a quick up to start the breakout. I prefer only having one forward, normally on the weak side, available for a stretch pass or flip. It normally allows for higher numbers on D to move the puck out more fluidly.
Great show!
Good point about the usage of Lane Hutson coach. I get the urge to use him more but people have to forget he has never played at this level and he has never played this many game. Fatigue doesn't only lead to mistake, fatigue can lead to injuries. Habs are not setting him up for a great first year, they are setting him for a great career.
You made a great point about the indirect shots that players need to take as well. I think of Caulfield setting up on the power-play and trying to snipe the perfect shot every time. If he just put it into the goalies pads, the hat power-play would be at 40% with rebounds and deflections.
I remember learning the shooters illusion as a goaltender when I was 15 years old. Seems like these guys today. Don’t even learn this concept.
Thank God, somebody else said it! That drop back to Suzuki for the power play. Every single time is getting so old it’s unbelievable! It also doesn’t work because every team knows exactly what they’re gonna do every single time.
Also, I know Arbour Xhekaj is not a power-play specialist but he has a canon for a shot. He needs to get some experience up there and be taught to just play that shot like Sheldon Souray to. Imagine if Caulfield Slaf and Suzuki were moving their feet and causing havoc in front of the net. How much space there would be for a one timer from Xhekaj. Even if he doesn’t score there’s rebounds and tips to be had.
Question coach: Had a a discussion with a friend of mine. He is disapointed in Slafkovsky's game this year. I said he is not quite that bad but I agree that something is lacking. My theory is that he is playing with multiple injuries. Last season, his game was 70% skill, 30% power. This year, his game is only 10% power. When he engages physically, it lacks authority. He also lacks a second gear in terms of speed. What do you think?
@rick1042 I agree that something is lingering. Remember he missed practice earlier this season for a "therapy" day. I believe it's his right shoulder. It looks like he's trying to avoid contact to that side as much as possible.
But, another reason for his lack of that second gear is the change is style of play. Last season, he was given the simple task of being more physical and getting to the next front. This season, the additional defensive responsibilities have him behind the play instead of ahead of it.
Remember, he wasn't expected to play a defensive game in Slovakia.
@@mtlhockeytalk I agree coach, the shoulder is probably a problem. Also, i can't attach pics here, but google "Slafkovsky knee brace pic". Before the Toronto game, CBC was filming the players in the locker room at Slaf is wearing a big old knee brace.
@@mtlhockeytalk Makes a lot of sense. Its a step back now that will make him a better overall player later.
Great show coach. I wanted to get your thoughts on the breakout. Agree that often the Habs D do not skate their way out of trouble and force passes up the wall leading to turnovers. Often don’t regroup so pucks go to players in the neutral zone that are standing still or are covered leading to loss of possession. Do you think the Habs could do a better job supporting the puck in their own zone leading to cleaner zone exits? This would lead to less lobs out of the zone and hopefully more speed through the neutral zone. Also we seem to try long stretch passes to players between the red line and the opposing team’s blue line. Sure they are trying to catch the other team and set up odd man rushes. Works some times but is a lower % play. Risk of a neutral zone turnover or an icing call. Both can be bad setting up the other team on transition or more Dzone face-offs.
@jamessneddon9956 Totally agree about the breakout. I've already mentioned the forwards like to jump the zone and leave the D without options to pass the puck, so they either go off the glass or flip the puck out. Very low % of success.
It comes back to what I say about the backcheckers. F1 need to be available as support to the defensemen & as a quick up to start the breakout.
I prefer only having one forward, normally on the weak side, available for a stretch pass or flip. It normally allows for higher numbers on D to move the puck out more fluidly.