Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts
The top line really did their own thing last year which made it look like the team was not as offensively challenged, they played a different game.
Don't think it was teams learning to defend the plays, its easy to defend a team who is willing to just shoot without a pass being made right into the goalies crest. I believe the Flames led the league in the puck being frozen by the goalie off the first shot which is a telling sign.
I wonder if Huska was just relaying the coaches message, the shot is obviously important but just as important is the location, and how the shot is being created.
The league is too talented, the goalies are too good now to play a simpleton game.
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What seemed different about 2021/22 was that the top line was not only doing their own thing but played together the whole season and had chemistry. Huderdeau, on the other hand, was constantly being shuffled around. No one seemed to know how to play with him.
It was also an issue of style. Gaudreau's game is based on puck possession and carrying the puck into the zone, so Sutter was probably okay with it, as long as he made an effort to back check. Huderdeau doesn't slow the game down and wants to quickly get to the net and make a play. His style of play also requires his wing mates to follow him towards the net. All very different than what Sutter's system required.