The Stars are rushing their shots for sure. A few things I found in my own look into the power play:
-They're really bad at maintaining offensive zone time, and have been for the last few years. Rush offense seems to be a big part of Spott's scheme and the rush chances aren't going in right now
-they get a lot of chances early off opening faceoff wins, then again when the second unit comes on the ice, but they're mid otherwise
-previously their average xG per corsi was top 5, this year they're 16th. That's introducing more luck into the equation, which for a team with so many good offensive players should be a no-no
-Johnston and Robertson are really struggling with finishing their chances. I think Robertson will turn things around. Johnston is a bit streakier though, I'm not sure that he's much more than a slightly above average shooter overall.
Also, this is just an eye test thing, but Heiskanen's not good at the drop pass. Drops it way too early, before there's any pressure from the PK unit and not much of a threat to carry it himself. I'm not sure if that's coaching or execution because I feel like Harley plays the drop pass similarly, but it's very frustrating to watch. Klingberg was so good at driving deep before leaving the puck for Spezza to carry in and that's definitely something the power play is missing right now.
They maybe gripping their sticks but this has been going on for 60 games thru the play offs and all this year . This is a major issue at this point . Klingberg just resumed skating and looking for team , seems like a low risk option , just put smith and Dumba thru waivers
On the 28th they have a 4th option. Based on the fact Robo’s shot isn’t clicking… Johnston is streaky… Miro has a weak point shot… Benn is best at tips and passes and faceoffs, and Hintz has to be at full speed or set up with perfect pass…
My vote is this group ain’t gonna get it done! So, my solution is you go buy the best shooter, period. Yes you overpay, yes you give up too much, yes you have to carry a guy who’s weaker 5 on 5, but YES you get the answer to our PO issues… hardest shots = more rebounds and more goals!
History repeats itself with Spott and the power play. PDB has been good here but historically his magic seems to wear itself out by this point. If the power play doesn’t improve and we remain stuck in the standings the way we are now, well, you can’t fire the players…
Adding a scoring specialist via trade can be the same as adding a power play specialist, if you choose the right trade to make.
Looking at the standings, however, the teams to choose from are Buffalo, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose, Detroit , Anaheim, Montreal, Seattle, Columbus, and the Islanders...
Based off conference games and the fight for a playoff spot, the best teams to trade with should be Buffalo, Detroit, Columbus, Montreal, and the Islanders...
From those teams the best they have available for scoring specialists
Montreal: Patrik Laine and Cole Caufield
Detroit: Larkin, DeBrincat, Moritz Seider (from an overall scoring standpoint)
Buffalo: Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka, Rasmus Dahlin, and Owen Power
Columbus: Kirill Marchenko, Sean Monahan, Boone Jenner
Islanders: Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, maybe Noah Dobson?
What would it take to get one or more of these guys?
At this point, I'm not sure who I would and wouldn't want to give up, as whatever the Stars are doing is not working.
My absolute keep list would be Johnston, Heiskanen, Otter, Bicshel, Duchene, Marchment... Everyone else is kind of flux and all draft picks should be available for the right deal...
Great powerplay info, especially the player heat map comparisons with Vegas. First time I've seen powerplay issues diagramed so clearly.
I think the Stars are simply gripping their sticks too tight, which is understandable when you have a lot of powerplays and no results. Same for 5-on-5 scoring. Everyone is too intense, too rushed, trying to shoot too quickly, rifle the puck too hard, passing instead of shooting, shooting instead of passing, etc.
The inability to consistently enter the offensive zone with possession is one area I think is a big part of the Stars offensive struggles.
And execution. They're getting chances, but keep hitting the goalie in the pads or logo.
Like you, I don't think there will be coaching firing, but can they get the PP duties off of Spott`s hands at the very least? Send Spott upstairs to watch and bring someone else? They do it with young players, why not with struggling coaches?
My guess for the real reason Miro and Benn have not (will not) been taken off PP #1 is purely from locker room management purposes.
Benn is the Captain and PDB do not have the balls to tell him he will have less PP time. This would also equal to potential less points production. The same can be said about Miro.
The lack of changes and experiments on the PP, while the results are disastrous, tells you a lot about that coaching staff character.
The heat map wouldn’t be so bad if it was because the guys were moving in the ice. I just don’t get that out of the pp. Even if it was a simple swap to the 3-2 you mentioned it would still be added pressure the other side has to pick up.
What movement I do see I’m frequently bemoaning because the guys cover themselves by skating into coverage or reducing their gaps to where one guy can cover both. It is sloppy and leads to more exits. Glad to see they are trying to have to guys hit the line with speed post drop pass, just have to not have them skate into the mass of humanity crowding the blue line (both friends and foes).
Fantastic piece, as usual!
The Stars are rushing their shots for sure. A few things I found in my own look into the power play:
-They're really bad at maintaining offensive zone time, and have been for the last few years. Rush offense seems to be a big part of Spott's scheme and the rush chances aren't going in right now
-they get a lot of chances early off opening faceoff wins, then again when the second unit comes on the ice, but they're mid otherwise
-previously their average xG per corsi was top 5, this year they're 16th. That's introducing more luck into the equation, which for a team with so many good offensive players should be a no-no
-Johnston and Robertson are really struggling with finishing their chances. I think Robertson will turn things around. Johnston is a bit streakier though, I'm not sure that he's much more than a slightly above average shooter overall.
-Heiskanen takes way too many shots
Also, this is just an eye test thing, but Heiskanen's not good at the drop pass. Drops it way too early, before there's any pressure from the PK unit and not much of a threat to carry it himself. I'm not sure if that's coaching or execution because I feel like Harley plays the drop pass similarly, but it's very frustrating to watch. Klingberg was so good at driving deep before leaving the puck for Spezza to carry in and that's definitely something the power play is missing right now.
They maybe gripping their sticks but this has been going on for 60 games thru the play offs and all this year . This is a major issue at this point . Klingberg just resumed skating and looking for team , seems like a low risk option , just put smith and Dumba thru waivers
On the 28th they have a 4th option. Based on the fact Robo’s shot isn’t clicking… Johnston is streaky… Miro has a weak point shot… Benn is best at tips and passes and faceoffs, and Hintz has to be at full speed or set up with perfect pass…
My vote is this group ain’t gonna get it done! So, my solution is you go buy the best shooter, period. Yes you overpay, yes you give up too much, yes you have to carry a guy who’s weaker 5 on 5, but YES you get the answer to our PO issues… hardest shots = more rebounds and more goals!
Go get Laine!!!
Or… go find a young Shea Weber!
Merry XMas!
History repeats itself with Spott and the power play. PDB has been good here but historically his magic seems to wear itself out by this point. If the power play doesn’t improve and we remain stuck in the standings the way we are now, well, you can’t fire the players…
Adding a scoring specialist via trade can be the same as adding a power play specialist, if you choose the right trade to make.
Looking at the standings, however, the teams to choose from are Buffalo, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose, Detroit , Anaheim, Montreal, Seattle, Columbus, and the Islanders...
Based off conference games and the fight for a playoff spot, the best teams to trade with should be Buffalo, Detroit, Columbus, Montreal, and the Islanders...
From those teams the best they have available for scoring specialists
Montreal: Patrik Laine and Cole Caufield
Detroit: Larkin, DeBrincat, Moritz Seider (from an overall scoring standpoint)
Buffalo: Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka, Rasmus Dahlin, and Owen Power
Columbus: Kirill Marchenko, Sean Monahan, Boone Jenner
Islanders: Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, maybe Noah Dobson?
What would it take to get one or more of these guys?
At this point, I'm not sure who I would and wouldn't want to give up, as whatever the Stars are doing is not working.
My absolute keep list would be Johnston, Heiskanen, Otter, Bicshel, Duchene, Marchment... Everyone else is kind of flux and all draft picks should be available for the right deal...
Great powerplay info, especially the player heat map comparisons with Vegas. First time I've seen powerplay issues diagramed so clearly.
I think the Stars are simply gripping their sticks too tight, which is understandable when you have a lot of powerplays and no results. Same for 5-on-5 scoring. Everyone is too intense, too rushed, trying to shoot too quickly, rifle the puck too hard, passing instead of shooting, shooting instead of passing, etc.
The inability to consistently enter the offensive zone with possession is one area I think is a big part of the Stars offensive struggles.
And execution. They're getting chances, but keep hitting the goalie in the pads or logo.
Great piece.
Like you, I don't think there will be coaching firing, but can they get the PP duties off of Spott`s hands at the very least? Send Spott upstairs to watch and bring someone else? They do it with young players, why not with struggling coaches?
My guess for the real reason Miro and Benn have not (will not) been taken off PP #1 is purely from locker room management purposes.
Benn is the Captain and PDB do not have the balls to tell him he will have less PP time. This would also equal to potential less points production. The same can be said about Miro.
The lack of changes and experiments on the PP, while the results are disastrous, tells you a lot about that coaching staff character.
The heat map wouldn’t be so bad if it was because the guys were moving in the ice. I just don’t get that out of the pp. Even if it was a simple swap to the 3-2 you mentioned it would still be added pressure the other side has to pick up.
What movement I do see I’m frequently bemoaning because the guys cover themselves by skating into coverage or reducing their gaps to where one guy can cover both. It is sloppy and leads to more exits. Glad to see they are trying to have to guys hit the line with speed post drop pass, just have to not have them skate into the mass of humanity crowding the blue line (both friends and foes).