Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
Those guys weren’t on the ice the whole time of course. The point is that dump and chase isn’t necessarily boring or a bad system. TB dumped but man, did they get after it right away. The opposing D had zero time to react. Calgary has players who can do that - Lindholm/Dube/Mangiapane/Backlund and quick enough, and so is Gaudreau. And when Monahan and Tkachuk and even Lucic get in they are pretty good at retrieval (Tkachuk is elite in the corner).
It’s not a good system unless played with energy. Just like playing off the rush or possession to a cycling game isn’t good if It’s just Johnny carrying and buttonhooking into coverage.
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I just don't see dump and chase working for us without more transition threats at defense and centre. The loss of prime Gio, of Brodie, and the stagnancy of Monahan and Lindholm's development has kind of put us in a no-man's land.
I guess when I think of a successful dump and chase, the chase part requires a strong puck carrier to create momentum through the middle, while the retrievers don't have to stop up at the blueline. As you said, the Gaudreau button hook is diametrically opposed to this style, but it's necessary as Gaudreau typically leads the rush from the wing, his cenfre and other winger trailing.
If they want to play that rush-but-chase style that made Tampa successful, they need to consider elevating guys like Valimaki, Kylington, Dube, and Bennett up the lineup as these four guys thrive in that style more than Lindholm, Monahan, Current Gio, and Tanev. I don't see that happening. For all intents and purposes these players will be in our bottom six / bottom four.
Remember the Mangiapane - Ryan - Hathaway line? They dumped and chased to perfection. Because you had Ryan as a strong puck carrier, and the two wingers offset that with a clearly defined role in transition. I don't see that on our top line and ostensible top pair.