Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
I don't know what identity they are going for, but they seem be applying some kind of rope-a-dope, opportunistic style. Whether the storm, then jump mistakes. It's a high risk way to play.
The top 2 lines don't play similar styles at all, so hard to know what the team identity is. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though.
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Ward’s style is actually very aggressive. Very heavy forechecking, heavy pinching which is a debatable style for the team’s personnel. These players maybe lack the attention to detail which leaves them vulnerable for easy counters and wide open neutral zones. This is not a fast team either so they don’t track back quick enough to break up all the odd man rushes. I’ve already established that this collection of players isn’t hard working, so it’s not uncommon to see a lot of half-assed attempts at playing the system so that’s basically shooting yourself in the foot. I remember the Avalanche definitely taking advantage of the Flames aggressiveness in the playoffs, so much so that I think it even surprised coach Jared Bednar.
The Flames might honestly be better playing a more conservative style and taking advantage of turnovers in the neutral zone. Heck, they scored a ton of goals short handed a couple years standing up at the blue line on the PK.