Haynes: What makes Derek Ryan a dominating force in the faceoff circle [The Athletic]

[TheScorpion]

Awesome piece here from Darren Haynes

https://theathletic.com/760211/2019/...aceoff-circle/

He's not an ideal powerplay option but Ryan is so good at so many of the small parts of the game. I think we're gonna look at this signing like we saw Engelland at the end of his contract

[jlh2640]

I miss Engelland

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I miss Engelland

Solid take on a Ryan article

I like Ryan, I don't see him as a liability like so many others do on here, I think he plays positionally well, he gets into the board battles, he's good with the game pace. Sure he's not a top tier player but I don't get the feeling that there's going to be a turnover play when he's in possession like our former throw in vets. I also think he's a huge reason we are top 5 in faceoff % in the league. He has 208 FO wins (of 360 taken) this year so far, good for 4th on the team by not a huge margin when you look at the regular FO takers. We were whining on here for years to have someone who's a FO specialist, possession off the draw is important, and now we have one who is also a decent bottom 6 player.

[Johnny Makarov]

One of the major factors of the Flames downturn from league power house to young guns bad was after we lost Joel Otto.

[tvp2003]

I noticed Ryan was losing a lot of draws last night... but in the third period, there was a sequence where 3M kept getting hemmed in their own zone. IIRC, Peters threw out Ryan to take the face off (which he won). The Flames cleared the puck into the neutral zone, and Ryan immediately went off for a change. If so, that's the first time I can recall Ryan being used specifically for a faceoff and then changing right after.

I also think its good he can mentor younger guys like Janko when it comes to the art of faceoffs.

* * * * *

EDIT: Found it -- with 7:50 left in the third, Peters sent out Backlund, Tkachuk and Lindholm against Colorado's top line for a defensive zone faceoff. Backlund lost the draw, and it resulted in two quick shots on goal, before Rittich froze the puck at 7:44. Peters then subbed out Backlund for Ryan, who took the faceoff (and won), before going off 15 seconds later (Lindholm also went off, and Backlund and Frolik came on). Interesting to see Peters going with faceoff specialists down the stretch -- I wonder if this was specifically for the Colorado game or if he's done it other times?

TOI Report: http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreport...9/TH020669.HTM
Event Summary: http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreport...9/PL020669.HTM

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think we're gonna look at this signing like we saw Engelland at the end of his contract

Not unless he punches out 2 Canucks at the same time.

[steveo]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I noticed Ryan was losing a lot of draws last night... but in the third period, there was a sequence where 3M kept getting hemmed in their own zone. IIRC, Peters threw out Ryan to take the face off (which he won). The Flames cleared the puck into the neutral zone, and Ryan immediately went off for a change. If so, that's the first time I can recall Ryan being used specifically for a faceoff and then changing right after.

I also think its good he can mentor younger guys like Janko when it comes to the art of faceoffs.

* * * * *

EDIT: Found it -- with 7:50 left in the third, Peters sent out Backlund, Tkachuk and Lindholm against Colorado's top line for a defensive zone faceoff. Backlund lost the draw, and it resulted in two quick shots on goal, before Rittich froze the puck at 7:44. Peters then subbed out Backlund for Ryan, who took the faceoff (and won), before going off 15 seconds later (Lindholm also went off, and Tkachuk and Frolik came on). Interesting to see Peters going with faceoff specialists down the stretch -- I wonder if this was specifically for the Colorado game or if he's done it other times?

TOI Report: http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreport...9/TH020669.HTM
Event Summary: http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreport...9/PL020669.HTM

I don't remember the exact games or times it has happened but I have seen Ryan come out for face offs and then switch off after possession/clearing it. Sorry I can't remember the games though

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I noticed Ryan was losing a lot of draws last night....

Bang on. According to the article that was the first time in 12 games and second time in 19 that he was below 60%. Definitely an under the radar streak.

I also think its good he can mentor younger guys like Janko when it comes to the art of faceoffs.

Also from the article:

As a younger guy at the same position, but as someone that does pack all those physical attributes Ryan lacks, Mark Jankowski does a lot of observing and learning.

[Canada 02]

I’d like to see Peters use Ryan and Lindholm to start OT. Win the faceoff and get off the ice for Mony and Johnny. Lose the faceoff, and they are well suited to defend

[Beninho]

I like Derek Ryan

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

I’d like to see Peters use Ryan and Lindholm to start OT. Win the faceoff and get off the ice for Mony and Johnny. Lose the faceoff, and they are well suited to defend

Then you can queue up the 'coach favors Ryan', 'what is he doing out in OT', etc comments.
Over under set at 30

Ryan is valuable.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

One of the major factors of the Flames downturn from league power house to young guns bad was after we lost Joel Otto.

Things didn't turn around until Stephane Yelle was acquired and went bad again when he left.

There it is! the secret to success is face off guys!

In all seriousness, its' great to have 2 guys (Lindholm and Ryan) who can go up against the best faceoff guys. Even better that Lindholm can play.

[GioforPM]

All of Calgary's C's (including Lindholm who takes an equal amount of draws as Monahan) are at 50% or better (well, Monahan is at 49.9 but close enough, against presumably top level defensive opposition).

And Bennett is at 59% in far more limited attempts (but more than anyone other winger).

[KipperFaNaTic]

Derek Ryan, Jankowski, Bennet aren't scoring but they all play a crucial role on the team.

Ryan is face offs and defensive assignments.
Jankowski penalty kill.
Bennett grit and toughness.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Awesome piece here from Darren Haynes

https://theathletic.com/760211/2019/...aceoff-circle/

He's not an ideal powerplay option but Ryan is so good at so many of the small parts of the game. I think we're gonna look at this signing like we saw Engelland at the end of his contract

Could a summary please be given when Athletic articles are linked? as not all of us have accounts with the Athletic.

[LWcrowfoot]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I miss Engelland

[EldrickOnIce]

Oops. I thought small portions were OK.
My bad!

[The Yen Man]

I still think Ryan totally doesn't have a face of a hockey player. He looks like a guy in a hollywood movie about hockey ha ha. Like if they had cast Bill Hader as one of the hockey guys in Goon.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by redforever

Could a summary please be given when Athletic articles are linked? as not all of us have accounts with the Athletic.

We have to be careful here. This is copyright material that is behind a paywall. I think it is fair if someone wants to provide a general summary. But as soon as we start copying and pasting chunks of text or key data points it's a problem.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

We have to be careful here. This is copyright material that is behind a paywall. I think it is fair if someone wants to provide a general summary. But as soon as we start copying and pasting chunks of text or key data points it's a problem.

I would be happy with a general summary.