Haynes: Ward's New PP

[Bingo]

paywall so I won't post much of it but interesting sometimes to read what isn't being said.

https://theathletic.com/552422/2018/...ul-power-play/

Backlund:

“Wardo has some new stuff, and his own details and things that he brought with him that are a little different,” the Flame centre said. “It’s not going to be a huge adjustment, but I really like that he’s paying a lot of attention to details in all the things we’re going through.”

So is that saying Cameron didn't pay attention to details?

Clearly a move for Gaudreau from the half wall to manning the point has been interesting. He doesn't have a cannon, but he certainly is quick and moving all the time which has created some havoc for the PK box.

I think Rasmus Andersson may make the team based on his ability to mesh with Gaudreau alone on the man advantage; the two of really fed off each other.

I think the forwards have to get moving to make the Gaudreau/Andersson combination more lethal however.

[David Struch]

So exciting having all these fresh faces... James Neal, Austin Czarnik, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, all sorts of new options on the power-play.

[CroFlames]

Having a canon from the point on the PP is a great asset, but having a guy who can move the puck or find the seam and get it on net for a scramble is even better.



Having a RH winger like Iggy or Ovi that can blast howitzers from the circle, you are in Powerplay Dreamland.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Having a canon from the point on the PP is a great asset, but having a guy who can move the puck or find the seam and get it on net for a scramble is even better.



Having a RH winger like Iggy or Ovi that can blast howitzers from the circle, you are in Powerplay Dreamland.

I’m hoping Czarnik can at least get a prime Cammalleri shot. I compare him to Cammy due to size.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I’m hoping Czarnik can at least get a prime Cammalleri shot. I compare him to Cammy due to size.

He reminds me more of Marchessault. Small, but quick and shifty. Very high offensive IQ. Can get to most spots on the ice with the puck on his stick. Has a very, very accurate wrist shot with decent power, but isn't a one-timer specialist like Cammy was. Lacks a power game, but is tenacious around the puck.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

He reminds me more of Marchessault. Small, but quick and shifty. Very high offensive IQ. Can get to most spots on the ice with the puck on his stick. Has a very, very accurate wrist shot with decent power, but isn't a one-timer specialist like Cammy was. Lacks a power game, but is tenacious around the puck.

Right, that’s the better comparable in terms of style of play. I was merely referring to a small player with a bomb of a shot that we utilized on the PP when he played in Calgary.

[Bingo]

With Gaudreau on the point the left shooting right half wall player has to get moving and find those seams.

Gaudreau will creep in on the left but there's nobody sliding into that pocket high and ready.

[Jiggy]

Thank god we have a good pp coach now. I remember Steinberg interviewed Cameron after a game last season. He said on the pp the Flames needed to continue to get pucks on net and whack away. Terrible strategy.

[kman35ca]

As long as they keep their butts moving, and making smart passes, opening up seams for shots from Neal, Mony, Gio etc. No more of that standing still crud. And JG behind the net, man he can work some magic there. And mess with the goalies noggin as his wrap around's are going to keep a goalie honest.
Can't wait to see how it works out. They definitely need some good practice time. I seen some PP's stuck in GG, Cameron mode. And the result was typical.

[btimbit]

So happy at the amount of quality work Haynes has been pumping out since going to The Athletic.

Also thrilled with Ward so far. The proof will be in the pudding but he's said more to inspire confidence in this pre-season than Cameron did in two full years

[timbit]

Far and away the biggest and most noticeable amelioration of the PP is how quickly the puck is moving , up to this point.
Gaudreau, with his considerable puckhandling abilities , tended to overhandle the puck many times last season, IMO. Although , he was successful at times, I believe the new concept of quick puck movement leads to more 2v1 and 1v1 opportunities and Johnny , in particular, with his great vision will adapt and aid in really enhancing PP production.

Looking good.

[EVERLAST]

We've got guys now with a shooters mentality in Neal, Czarnik, Hanafin and now that Mony is healthy those shots are deadly one timers .

It's exciting all the potential ..... hopefully it translates into something where we continually make opposing teams pay and pay hard. If we're disciplined I see us not just capitalising on the PP but as well on the PK.....were a fast fast team and I see records getting set this year.

Man this is exciting.....drop the puck let's go.

[indes]

The biggest thing is if you don’t score, your power play’s got to provide some momentum to the team. You don’t want to go out into a situation where you have the power play and it’s bad and all of a sudden, the other team gets a ton of momentum.

Really liked this quote, especially after what we went through last year

[metal_geek]

Gaudreau on the point has me worried in that he has a tendency to hold on the puck in an effort to make plays that lead to turn overs. While I think it’ll be a net positive for the PP, I’m mentally preparing myself for a few extra shorties against. That’s life with Gaudreau though

[Stud_McCool]

Why not try Michael Stone on the left point for the purpose of having a cannon of shot on the PP?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

With Gaudreau on the point the left shooting right half wall player has to get moving and find those seams.

Gaudreau will creep in on the left but there's nobody sliding into that pocket high and ready.

Big factor for me with the PP layout is 2 fold:

1) Gaudreau is one of the best players in the league is subtly and slightly changing an angle on a goalie as he comes at the goalie.

2) this combined with monahan screening the goalie and neal on the half wall means the play will be less about the 'corner-to-net-front' passing play that was prominent last year and more about having the goalie move laterally.

So, gaudreau on the point receives the puck and can dish it off, but more likely, drive down a bit towards the net forcing the defender to collapse. He can either try and pick a corner/look for a tip from monahan, or dish it across his body to neal waiting for the one touch play.

What that does though is it makes his relatively weak shot a ####load more effective because it's all about placement and proximity to the net.

Also, having enough legit forwards to staff 2 units of 4 f / 1 d should give the opposition PK a lot of fits.

Edit: pucks will be going in low glove short side if they are coming off neal's stick or over the shoulder blocker side if they are coming off gaudreau's stick.

[dammage79]

PP1:

Lindholm-Monahan-Neal
Gaudreau- Gio or Andersson

Lindholm is so good on the low LW.

[djsFlames]

Really do think Andersson is the 6th best d-man right now and should be slotted accordingly.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Why not try Michael Stone on the left point for the purpose of having a cannon of shot on the PP?

Maybe not right away but from pre season it does look like he's been given the green light to shoot more. Am excited to see what, if anything, comes from that

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Why not try Michael Stone on the left point for the purpose of having a cannon of shot on the PP?

His shot is pretty inaccurate. But, we can definitely give it a go.