Just boggles my mind how with Iginla the 1st PP was 32? ish percent and without him its around 19%. Curious why they made the change
Yeah as I said a few days ago I don't get why he's been demoted as his one-timer at the circle is still one of the best in the league and teams either leave that open or they cover that and leave Malkin open. Maybe Blysma is in job preservation mode or he's seen something he doesn't like about having Jarome on the 1st unit that we aren't seeing.
I'm still an Flames and Iggy fan, so I'll cheer for him all the way. If it doesn't happen for him this year, then I'll cheer for whatever team he does sign with in the offseason (except for the Oilers, Canucks, Leafs, Jets, and Habs).
Yeah as I said a few days ago I don't get why he's been demoted as his one-timer at the circle is still one of the best in the league and teams either leave that open or they cover that and leave Malkin open. Maybe Blysma is in job preservation mode or he's seen something he doesn't like about having Jarome on the 1st unit that we aren't seeing.
It's a delicate balance.
You don't want to cut your nose off to spite your face, but as the coach it is difficult to give a guy like Iginla icetime on the powerplay over guys like Kunitz or Dupuis when those guys show a heck of a lot more 5-5.
On the one hand, Iginla is a pretty potent offensive weapon in the offensive zone on the powerplay, but on the other hand, you don't want him to bring his 5-5 game into that scheme. You may be less 'productive' with Kunitz out there, but maybe you have increased zone time to wear out the opposition penalty killers and have less pucks skipping out passed the blueline or going the other way for a shorthanded chance. One thing about Iginla on the powerplay is that it is predictable. Everyone and their mother is looking to find him for the one-timer. Breaking down the PK box becomes less of a goal in favour of finding a guy with his stick in the air for a sweet one-timer.
Having said that, I know it was the Kunitz/Malkin/Letang trio that was on the ice for both Ottawa shorties and I don't think Iginla has been on for any. I think Bylsma sees two things: forcing the play from his stars on the powerplay and not seeing enough effort from Iginla to earn choice offensive minutes.
You don't want to cut your nose off to spite your face, but as the coach it is difficult to give a guy like Iginla icetime on the powerplay over guys like Kunitz or Dupuis when those guys show a heck of a lot more 5-5.
On the one hand, Iginla is a pretty potent offensive weapon in the offensive zone on the powerplay, but on the other hand, you don't want him to bring his 5-5 game into that scheme. You may be less 'productive' with Kunitz out there, but maybe you have increased zone time to wear out the opposition penalty killers and have less pucks skipping out passed the blueline or going the other way for a shorthanded chance. One thing about Iginla on the powerplay is that it is predictable. Everyone and their mother is looking to find him for the one-timer. Breaking down the PK box becomes less of a goal in favour of finding a guy with his stick in the air for a sweet one-timer.
Having said that, I know it was the Kunitz/Malkin/Letang trio that was on the ice for both Ottawa shorties and I don't think Iginla has been on for any. I think Bylsma sees two things: forcing the play from his stars on the powerplay and not seeing enough effort from Iginla to earn choice offensive minutes.
Its sounding like it all comes down to how much Bylsma wants to win, or how much he wants to placate his usual players.
Man, this thread is bringing the lols. People blaming Iggy for sticking around the past four years, people blaming Iggy for slowing down as he gets older (no ####?), people comparing Iggy to St Louis totally out of context, calling him a third liner in the same breath as saying he's terrible defensively with a great shot, lambasting the PIT return like he was the GM, calling everyone who disagrees 'white knights' hahaha... Keep 'em coming.
Yeah he's lost a step and had a rough game 1. Where's the outrage over the Hart nominee captain's game 1? How about the former con smythe winner's? The Norris nominee? Jack Adams winner? This ain't a one-man team like we're used to watching. And if it was, that man sure as #### isn't Iggy anymore.
He has 12 pts in 12 games. The PP has dropped ~10-15 percentage points after he was taken off the first unit.
Your unwarranted bitterness towards Iggy would be better aimed towards this team's ####ty management. Not towards the best player to ever wear a Flames jersey.
/white knighted
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Although Iīm not onboard with the Iggy critics I donīt think points are a good reflection of how good/bad he has played. Even Jussi Jokinen put up points like an all-star when he first started playing for the Pens. Itīs almost like "insert player x" on the first two lines and he will score points.
I think many are upset with Iginla not because of Iginla the player but because of the obviously idiotic Flames strategy to build around him over the last 4 years. Looking at the player he is now is just slapping you in the face as to how stupid that strategy was.
I don't necessarily blame Iginla as he was 'the guy' and nobody in the organization held him accountable when he should have been. Where you can criticize Iginla is how poorly he's transitioned his game as a veteran. When he's not getting his points he's nigh useless. That's where the comparison to guys like St. Louis, Selanne, Sakic, Yzerman etc. and others is just so stark. St. Louis, even at his age is pushing the play. Iginla, after years of being the stud horse is just a shade of his former self and he has been for the past 3 years. Kent Wilson's article last season on just how bad Iginla's fundamental numbers were is ringing right now after watching him with perspective.
The organization and Iginla have both done themselves a disservice by the blank cheque he had here. I'm so glad that era is over.
Can you really believe we had people thinking that we were a couple pieces away from the playoffs after watching Iginla in the playoffs this year and the teams he's on?
So yeah there's a bit of back patting going on now because alot of people had been saying for a while now that Iginla needed to be traded and he was not the player everyone still thought he was. But that'll wear off in time.
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So yeah there's a bit of back patting going on now because alot of people had been saying for a while now that Iginla needed to be traded and he was not the player everyone still thought he was.
Pretty pathetic if that's the type of thing you pat yourself on the back for.
Put me in the "Disappointed in Iginla's compete level" column.
I thought the change of scenery and the short season would do him wonders,
and was really hoping he would go into beast mode and give it every shift.
Unfortunately, all I've seen is the old Flames captain doing the same thing we've noticed for the past 3 years. I guess my expectations were way too high.
I can't see how he hopes to play for 5 more years at this level.
That being said, I am still cheering for him to win the Cup.
Put me in the 'wishing this thread would stay on about the Pens vs. Bruins rather than CP vs. Iginla' column. There is still a series going on. The Iginla criticism is obviously enough to fill a thread of its own.
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I think if Boston continues to frustrate the Pens and take them off their game, they win tonight 3-1 or 4-2. Have not impressed in the slightest at the lack of composure Pittsburgh has shown the last few playoffs. Lack of leadership? Coaching? Not sure, but you don't win championships when you are so easily thrown off your game.
I think if Boston continues to frustrate the Pens and take them off their game, they win tonight 3-1 or 4-2. Have not impressed in the slightest at the lack of composure Pittsburgh has shown the last few playoffs. Lack of leadership? Coaching? Not sure, but you don't win championships when you are so easily thrown off your game.
Yeah I think they might be missing the Bill Guerin type. Maybe thats what they thought they were getting when bringing in two other team captains. But Iggy and Morrow don't have the playoff experience of a guy like Guerin, or Recchi.
I think if Boston continues to frustrate the Pens and take them off their game, they win tonight 3-1 or 4-2. Have not impressed in the slightest at the lack of composure Pittsburgh has shown the last few playoffs. Lack of leadership? Coaching? Not sure, but you don't win championships when you are so easily thrown off your game.
Its one game in which the Bruins got all the bounces and calls. Seems a little early to be wondering about leadership, coaching etc.
Overall the Bruins weren't any more impressive but they got the bounces and the early goal and were able to build on that. Full marks for them for getting the win but considering the Pens have been the most impressive team so far in the play-offs I think they don't have to panic quite yet and likely even if they lose this game. Still very capable to come back against a Bruins team with plenty of questions on it.
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If the Pens defensive zone play continues to be anywhere near the level it was last game the Bruins will win again tonight and take the series without much problem. They simply cannot continue to give up scoring chances like that against a Bruins team that has enough firepower to convert.
I just hope the game tonight has as much entertainment as last game, regardless who wins.
I think if Boston continues to frustrate the Pens and take them off their game, they win tonight 3-1 or 4-2. Have not impressed in the slightest at the lack of composure Pittsburgh has shown the last few playoffs. Lack of leadership? Coaching? Not sure, but you don't win championships when you are so easily thrown off your game.
I keep thinking it was more a coaching problem before the game that had them off their game rather than what the Bruins did in the game. The Pens came out hitting more than the Bruins to start the game. It was as though they were trying to make a physical statement. Just a poor choice. They played to their own weakness and to the Bruins' strength. They should have been playing a skating and passing game and trying to pull the Bruins into a special teams battle. Playing fast and drawing penalties should be their focus.
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Its one game in which the Bruins got all the bounces and calls. Seems a little early to be wondering about leadership, coaching etc.
This goes back to at least last years playoffs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyB
I keep thinking it was more a coaching problem before the game that had them off their game rather than what the Bruins did in the game. The Pens came out hitting more than the Bruins to start the game. It was as though they were trying to make a physical statement. Just a poor choice.
I'm of the opinion that the Pens do have a coaching problem. Exactly what you said, team came out and tried to out Bruin the Bruins which is not a smart strategy. Boston kept their composure and capitalized on their chances, exactly what they have to do to win. To me, Pitts has to get their act together and fast to win this series, they are not facing the Islanders or the Sens anymore, teams that were decent but could not deal with the Pens offense.
Since the Leafs series Boston has looked really good, like a championship team.
Last edited by zamler; 06-03-2013 at 05:50 PM.
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If the Pens defensive zone play continues to be anywhere near the level it was last game the Bruins will win again tonight and take the series without much problem. They simply cannot continue to give up scoring chances like that against a Bruins team that has enough firepower to convert.
I just hope the game tonight has as much entertainment as last game, regardless who wins.
The Bruins first two were not easily repeatable. Deflection off of shot blocker's toe right through the 5 hole and a wacky deflection straight up in the air. Very fortuitous. And Pitt hit a lot of posts.
I don't think Boston was decisively better in a fashion that contributed materially to that win.
