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Post by Pez68 on Jan 10, 2019 16:40:12 GMT
The biggest differences on the power play are a capable QB up top...and the fact that they have finally been taught how to gain the zone. Their zone entries are fantastic. They pretty much gain the zone every time they rush up ice now. Keith was never a PP QB, and it was obvious to the world(except Q). Seabrook off the 1st unit is key, as well. Gus moves around a bunch up there. He also moves the puck quickly and accurately, and makes good, quick decisions. The worst thing you can do on the PP is hold the puck or stand still. The Hawks, in general, are no longer standing in quicksand on the power play. That cross-ice pass to DeBrincat is opened up because they are moving the puck around the zone and breaking down the coverage. It's awesome to see. They have always had the talent for a top 10 PP, and it is finally coming to light.
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Post by lari on Jan 10, 2019 17:00:43 GMT
You can be a physical specimen like Keith and completely blank out when you get the puck on the PP. He sometimes just stands there, or worse, makes a pass to a player in a worse position than where he is.
Gustafsson clearly has played on the PP his entire life. He has the instincts. He knows what needs to be done. He has good hands as well. He's not super talented and there are many better PP QB's around, but the Hawks haven't really had one since, I don't know, Bryan Berard? Q and his henchmen liked to give PP time to their best players. But sometimes your best d-men aren't the best for every situation.
Keith is a good hockey player, but always was a kind of offensive player fit for the 2nd PP unit.
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Post by garyu on Jan 10, 2019 17:35:52 GMT
You can be a physical specimen like Keith and completely blank out when you get the puck on the PP. He sometimes just stands there, or worse, makes a pass to a player in a worse position than where he is. Gustafsson clearly has played on the PP his entire life. He has the instincts. He knows what needs to be done. He has good hands as well. He's not super talented and there are many better PP QB's around, but the Hawks haven't really had one since, I don't know, Bryan Berard? Q and his henchmen liked to give PP time to their best players. But sometimes your best d-men aren't the best for every situation. Keith is a good hockey player, but always was a kind of offensive player fit for the 2nd PP unit. Nice of you to bring up Cyclops.
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Post by jimc on Jan 10, 2019 18:26:48 GMT
Kane runs the PP off the half boards...its nice that Gus defers to him and tries to gaet him the puck...Rather than stormtrooper Keith firing into shin pads or winging it 5 ft wide...with the end result of the pick exiting the zone either way.also....that stupid fucking drop pass to Kane at C when the other 4 guys stop at the blue line and wait for him...that fucking pssed me off sooooo much. Worst zone entry possible...one guy moving his legs...cant even dump it in.
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Post by stbhawks19 on Jan 10, 2019 18:44:56 GMT
Don’t forget the patented Seabrook one timer off his back leg falling on his ass.
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Post by garyu on Jan 10, 2019 18:59:13 GMT
Don’t forget the patented Seabrook one timer off his back leg falling on his ass. HEY! When Seabs finds something that works for him, he sticks with it!!
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Post by Pez68 on Jan 10, 2019 21:03:18 GMT
Kane runs the PP off the half boards...its nice that Gus defers to him and tries to gaet him the puck...Rather than stormtrooper Keith firing into shin pads or winging it 5 ft wide...with the end result of the pick exiting the zone either way.also....that stupid fucking drop pass to Kane at C when the other 4 guys stop at the blue line and wait for him...that fucking pssed me off sooooo much. Worst zone entry possible...one guy moving his legs...cant even dump it in. At times, yes. But the puck is distributed all over the ice now. Kane isn't just holding it for 10 seconds, in the same spot on the right half boards, looking for a cross-ice pass anymore. They are cycling low to high, right to left, and using the majority of the ice. They are moving around, and actually breaking down the defense. Kane can work his magic because the PK cannot just focus on him, and trap him along the boards. Sometimes Kane is on the left, sometimes he's on the right, sometimes he's up top. Gus is rotating around the same way, as is DeBrincat. With Toews and Strome as your down low workhorses. For the first time in a decade, I'm actually excited when the Hawks go on the power play.
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Post by jrsamu on Jan 10, 2019 22:49:18 GMT
When the Hawks went to that "drop pass" power play, you knew the guys running the bench weren't going to figure it out...ever.
Having an effective power play also nullifies some of the cheap shit the Hawk key players have to endure - when there is no real consequence, the cheap shots keep coming!
Also add that you have to have a crease presence. Ask the Hawk goaltenders how much they like unimpeded traffic in front of them and hacking at rebounds. Strome has been more than willing. Toews also.
Side note - Hayden was more of a presence last night in limited minutes. If he played like that each time out (simple, be a factor in the tough areas, responsible in his own end), he would be an effective 4th liner with the right linemates. At this point, assuming he brings consistent effort, is there any reason not to make that spot his to lose and see if confidence and consistency makes a difference?
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Post by Pez68 on Jan 11, 2019 2:37:57 GMT
I would. Who is a better option? Kunitz? Fuck that. Let Hayden sink or swim in that role. At the very least you know whether or not he's worth keeping around.
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Post by dbc on Jan 11, 2019 2:56:14 GMT
Don’t forget the patented Seabrook one timer off his back leg falling on his ass. Hawks only have 3 RH defensman. Not sure how the other two handle One-Timers, but due to Q, Seabrook hasn't exactly gotten many one time looks on the PP.
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Post by khawk20 on Jan 11, 2019 13:12:24 GMT
I'm not unhappy with what Colliton is doing with this team, really. I hope he gets a chance with a roster that is "properly" improved to start next season...realizing the limitations of what will still be here and what our idiot GM decides needs to be added.
I most hope that he doesn't get canned because "this is a playoff team and Jeremy didn't deliver". It would be the ultimate "we like our team" move and would sink the Hawks for a decade should Stan and McDonaugh hold the party line after the year is complete.
May as well give the kid a chance. Not gonna hurt anything with the roster they'll have for the next few years and the Pp improvement is encouraging (anything improving this season is kind of a surprise really).
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Post by garyu on Jan 11, 2019 15:37:39 GMT
I'm not unhappy with what Colliton is doing with this team, really. I hope he gets a chance with a roster that is "properly" improved to start next season...realizing the limitations of what will still be here and what our idiot GM decides needs to be added. I most hope that he doesn't get canned because "this is a playoff team and Jeremy didn't deliver". It would be the ultimate "we like our team" move and would sink the Hawks for a decade should Stan and McDonaugh hold the party line after the year is complete. May as well give the kid a chance. Not gonna hurt anything with the roster they'll have for the next few years and the Pp improvement is encouraging (anything improving this season is kind of a surprise really). McD and Stun would look like idiots if they only gave Colliton most of 1 season....Of course, that wouldn't be the ONLY reason.
I think he's done a good job with half NHLers and half AHLers..
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Post by stbhawks19 on Jan 11, 2019 15:56:41 GMT
They are huffing glue over at the UC if they actually think this is a playoff team.
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Post by khawk20 on Jan 11, 2019 16:55:28 GMT
They are huffing glue over at the UC if they actually think this is a playoff team. I know that and you know that and the site knows that. The glue salesman outside the UC though...
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Post by jimc on Jan 11, 2019 20:04:07 GMT
They have to all the hopium to the valued season reservation holders.
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