Who are the playmakers
by ncyankee on Sep 10, 2010 12:46 AM EDT
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When you look at the Canes, who are the set up men?
Looking at our lines, where does the playmaking come from?
Center - Staal, Sutter, Nash, Dalpe, Dwyer, Skinner, Matsumoto - I see scorers, slashers, two-way players, but, except for Nash, none of them have a rep as a set up man. Sutter was reputed to be one, but I can't say I've seen it consistantly yet.
Wings - Cole, Ruutu, Tlusty, Kostoupolis, Osaka are all power forward, drivers, and slashers; LaRose is a pest, Bowman a scorer; Jokkinen an oportunist; Samsonov a dangler/puck position type, but not a great passer; Boychuk is fast with good hands, but a passer?
I know everyone can point to their favorire and say "But did you see the pass he made ....?" and I agree there have been some great passing plays. But who is going to do it consistantly, night after night? Do we even need "playmakers"? What am I missing? What do all of you think?
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Play Makers
I think Sutter, Jokinen, Boychuk, and Dalple do a very good job of getting short passes to players’ sticks or putting pucks on the net where their line mates can score. In the context of the Hurricanes power play, Maurice referenced the fact that he now had players on the team who go to the net rather than seeing themselves as so skilled they can stay in safe ice and thread perfect passes.
My take is that the Hurricanes do their best work when they are battling for pucks and getting pucks to net, either as shots or passes. On the other hand, when the Hurricanes try to play pretty hockey, they tend to stand around waiting for the puck. I would reference the two goals by Bowman against the Lightning as examples of effective Hurricanes hockey. Sutter battled for a puck behind the net and got it to Boychuk, who in turn outskated the defense to the net, shot, got his rebound and shot again. Bowman can streaking in to pound a puck into the back of the net.
Dalpe plays the same kind of game; and I think Staal will benefit from having at least one more fast wing on his line, so he can get passes to them from behind the net. The Hurricanes will be fine as long as they know their identity and play to their strengths – which is their speed and work ethic. It’s a sure sign of a bad night if the Hurricanes forwards aren’t being hauled down at the net by defenders who are frustrated after the Hurricanes swarm the net and score ugly, ugly goals.
AD
I agree with you the one thing the Canes have going for them over many teams here in the Eastern Conference is our depth despite the youth has alot of depth & potential…even more than the start of last season…and i just had a thought…how about some of those long range passes Joni made to the Juice…talk about a “rush”…whao baby !! Thanks ncyankee gave us something to think about…
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!
Odd Man Rushes and Passes of the Rush
In addition to shots to the net on the power play, another area to look for this year as part of what will define the season will be goals off odd man rushes on the counter-attack, and particularly goals scored off of passes on the odd man rush. With the emphasis on team speed, finishing on these golden opportunities will be a significant key to the season.
Unfortunately, the team benefiting from odd-man rushes may be the opposition if we don’t get the concept of covering the blue line down pat while executing all this net-crashing being advocated.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Goals off the rush are overrated. It’s a style that’s easier to shut down in the playoffs (see Capitals, Washington, 2010). If a team starts depending on scoring off the rush it’s a recipe for disaster.
by red army line on Sep 10, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Pitkanen is probably our best pure playmaker followed by Jokinen (which is a little sad being that he is our top goal scorer behind Staal). Unfortunately, as you say, we really don’t have a forward who is thinking pass 90% of the time and could put up 40+ assists. I don’t think any of the guys in the system will be doing that anytime soon either unless Nash has some serious surprises up his sleeve.
My guess is next year they go for a pure Playmaking forward first round of the Draft for Skinner/Staal or look for a prospect with that potential in a big deadline deal. Granlund would have been a good Playmaker pick this year, but I’d take Skinner and the sniping ability (which we also lacked) any day.
“Playmaker” winger is probably on JR’s shopping list for trade return, especially now that he has some other weaknesses covered and can turn his attention from the defense to the offense.
Would be good to have some insight from a Cornell fan as to Riley Nash’s style of play, but that’s not going to help our top line.
Not sure we have time to acquire help through draft in time to join the group we are assembling, so picking up one of their peers through trade seems a more likely solution path.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Playmakers/distributors is what I think the Canes are lacking most. The games is so back and forth, other than Power Plays, that a good distributor is needed. I think Pits is our only true playmaker. Staal has some ability, but he is more of a scorer. Jokinen has the ability, but I see him more as a garbage man. He does his best work when he doesn’t have the puck. Sutter is more of a drive the net guy. That will result in opportunities, but I would say he is a great passer.
I think the Canes will be looking for a playmaking forward for the 11/12 season to pair with Staal and Skinner. Either through the draft (depending where we are picking) or via trade (because we won’t get involved in the Free Agent Market). I think a winger like a St. Louis or Hemksy would really help Staal and Skinner put up a lot of points. If JR doesn’t pursue one, I’m sure Jussi could do an admirable job with those two.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
Jokinen – Staal – Skinner would indeed be a nice first line for us.
However, if they are intent on bringing Skinner on board as an 18-year-old rookie this season, it’s more likely in my opinion that he’s going to break into the NHL from the third line center position, thereby limiting Nash’s and possibly Dalpe’s development options for ‘10-’11.
However, maybe they don’t have to wait the entire season for opportunities to experiment with Skinner as Staal’s right wing, picking and choosing the teams against which to see how he handles that level of defense.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Do you think maybe with the addition of Skinner as a pure goal scorer that Bowman and/or possibly Boychuk are at risk of being traded? What if Skinner, Dalpe, and Nash make the team (possible?) and they are on the outside looking in.
I think we are going to lose some prospects regardless. We have too many talented guys for the slots available, even looking a year or two forward. I am sure some of them will be dealt, whether to fill holes or to get younger prospects. Hopefully, the ones we keep are the ones that fit best, but I could see some of them being stars on other teams.
If Skinner and Dalpe work their way into the top 6 like I expect, someone will definitely have to be moved. I think Jussi will be resigned and Nash will be our future 3rd line center. That leaves 2 open slots in the top 9. I think between Boychuk, Bowman, and Tlusty; one of those guys will be gone by the beginning of the 11/12 season.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
by PackPride17 on Sep 10, 2010 7:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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