How to fix the PP

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by CSharp

I need to visualize the faces for each name. Can you provide the ASCII display for each player?

I got you something else.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Yeah same IMO. Rasmus should shoot more and doesn't. So give it to Stone who not only likes to crank it, it has enough power that he puts the fear of god in PK forwards when he winds up in space.


Huberdeau - Half wall guy on the left
Kadri - Bumper
Stone - Point Clapper
Toffoli - Net Front Presence (maybe he'll hit more nets and less posts from in tight, lol)
Lindholm - Half wall guy on the right

I think not only that, his decision is a second or 2 too slow. Whether shooting or passing, he just does it a tad bit too slow. It seems like opposite knew what he's gonna do before he does.

[Mr.Coffee]

Andersson has just shown, for now what, 80+ games? A general reluctance to shoot way too often in critical times. There is a tendency to look for perfect passing plays rather than shoot and crash or shoot and look for a rebound.

Andersson is the biggest problem with the PK because it’s designed for a point shot for a guy that doesn’t shoot.

[redforever]

Put Lindholm back to the right of the goalie...like he was last year. That was his sweet spot. So basically, switch Huberdeau and Lindholm.

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I got you something else.

thanked for the super old sandra bullock reference!

[Classic_Sniper]

Honestly, I don't know if the PP can fix itself this season with some for of intervention (i.e. trade). We're well past the half way into the season and this team is actually getting kind of worse I think. After the first month of the season (October), the team started off red hot as the 7th ranked PP at 26.9%. Since then, we've looked like the 29th ranked PP at 17.8% ahead of only 3 bottom feeders.

The powerplay coaches and systems are the exact same as last season's top 10 powerplay. Lindholm, Andersson and Toffoli are still here, so that's 3 out of the same 5. They have similar looks with Rasmus at the point, Toffoli as the trigger man on his off wing. Lindholm manning the right flank or switching over to the slot. Huberdeau has primarily played on the left flank this season which is exactly where he played in Florida.

So really, it just comes down to execution which in my opinion is the biggest culprit. The powerplay right now has established no credible threats anywhere on the ice, everything is telegraphed, nothing dangerous from the point, the flanks, the side of the net or the slot. So the opposition PK doesn't even bother cheating or moving from their structure. They just need to stand there and wait for the Flames to pass it around and shoot low percentage shots.

Until the Flames can find the right personnel or the current group can find a way to create more chaos or put the opposition under more duress, then I don't see anything changing. Where are the one timers, the rocket from the point, the seam, one touch and slap passes?

There's really nothing out of the ordinary and I feel like the coaching staff has given up on the fancy stuff recently and has just told them to get the puck on goal and starting jamming away for rebounds. I suppose this strategy can work, but it doesn't feel dangerous compared to say the Oiler's PP which is just frightening to defend and you always feel on edge. But then again, we don't have a McDavid and Draisaitl who can matrix the system.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I wonder how much the PP is dictated by the coaches and how much freedom they have within the structure

Can’t help but notice that Tkachuk in Florida does precisely what he did here. Spends time screening, which is good if there is a shot, or drifts slightly to the goalie’s left, to receive a quick pass and make that quick touch pass out front, of which Lindholm was the beneficiary

It’s not uncommon and it is effective

I wonder why nobody here does it regularly and well

[Bingo]

This is pretty telling.

Missing Gaudreau for entries and setups.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1615490050766311425

[GioforPM]

Need to see last year to compare.

I haven't really thought entry was an issue but I guess I'm wrong. I thought it was more what they did/didn't do once they were in.

[Monahammer]

Step 1: Lock Sutter in a dark room with a video of horses and barley

Step 2: Tell huberdeau to explain his favourite powerplay strategies to the other players on PP1. The strategies that have made him one of the best PP producers in the league over the last 5 seasons.

Step 3: don't tell Darryl about the changed powerplay strategy

Step 4: players roll out different strategy for powerplay specifically

Step 5: be prepared to bag skate next practice for disobeying, but if you score on enough pps in a row, this might stop

[Naitix]

I do not think our zone entries on PP have been a problem, I bet the low carry rating is due to Flames dumping and chasing the puck for zone entries on the PP which works surprisingly okay. The issues are with their set up

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Naitix

I do not think our zone entries on PP have been a problem, I bet the low carry rating is due to Flames dumping and chasing the puck for zone entries on the PP which works surprisingly okay. The issues are with their set up

But that graphic suggests they're towards the bottom of the league in getting set up at all.

[HighLifeMan]

Zone entries have without a doubt been the top unit's biggest issue. Kadri absolutely can not be relied upon to be the main focal point in that regard.

Huberdeau excels on the left halfwall. We all know this. Keep him there. In saying that, I believe having three right handed shots on the top unit with him really limits his options/looks from that area. We also really lack a defender who can walk the line effectively and create both shot and passing lanes. It's a shame Kylington isn't an option.

I wouldn't say Toffoli has been terrible but he definitely lacks the ability to move the puck efficiently and quickly. The top unit specifically becomes far to stagnant and lacks movement. This really hurts a guy like Huberdeau who is predominately a stationary playmaker.

To me the PP needs to focus far more on moving the puck quickly and with less predictability. I don't think it can run efficiently through Andersson as it's currently set up.

[Mr.Coffee]

I noticed they’re doing the bump back pass as of about 4-5 games ago to adjust for entry. So weird how it’s like the only way NHL teams can effectively gain entry nowadays without dumping it in.

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Bingo

But that graphic suggests they're towards the bottom of the league in getting set up at all.

Right, I guess my misunderstanding what exactly is carry and setup. Like if Flames are at 35% setup, does that mean they spend on average 42 seconds being setup on the powerplay? Then what does carry exactly mean

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I don’t think Stone should be on it. For as big as his shot is, he seems to have little control of it. Too low skill. Removing Andersson is a fine choice, but our trigger men should 100% be Lindholm and Toffoli.

1. Net-front: Kadri
2. Post-position for close one-timers/net-front (left-side): Toffoli
3. Right circle: Lindholm
4. Left side half-boards: Huberdeau
5. Centre point man: Weegar

That’s your 5 in my eyes

PP2:

1. Net-front: Coleman
2. Post-position for close one-timers/net-front (right-side): Dube
3. Left circle: Mangiapane
4. Right side half-boards: Backlund
5. Centre point man: Hanifin

Effectively flip the deployment on PP2 so you’re heavier on opposite sides depending on which unit it is.

I like your PP1 for sure, and Rasmus can be frustrating, but he also is on pace for back-to-back 50-point seasons. Hard to take him off both PP units.

Hanifin can skate but he makes safe choices offensively and those choices aren't valuable on the PP. Always dumps it in and floats easy saves into the goalie's glove. He's just not a PP guy.

[Naitix]

I think Hanifin is just not creative enough for the powerplay, he is more of a simple play guy

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

one word:

MacKenzie Weegar

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Naitix

I think Hanifin is just not creative enough for the powerplay, he is more of a simple play guy

He is the Backlund of defense. Always make the safe play, puts a puck on net that is an easy save no rebound because face offs down low are valuable. Not on the PP.

Hanifin and Toffoli are the masters at having a tired PK and putting low percent shots on net and getting the other team the needed change.

[Mr.Coffee]

Honestly, getting the puck on net for the current PP design would be a step up from “pass it to the side boards” Andersson.