Quote:
Originally Posted by vipernsx
More like Completely True. I didn't say it didn't exist, I said it didn't become popular. The Stretch pass is used far more today then ever before. Most teams are using some version of it and that hasn't always been the case. Lengthening the defensive zone and removing the 2-line pass has absolutely fostered the implementation and POPULARITY of the stretch pass!
The Ranger's system is to congest the middle of the ice, keep pucks to the outside, and get it out of the zone as quickly as possible. And guess what, it works!
Gap control, better defensive systems and bigger faster skaters are the reason why players can't handle the pucks as well anymore. Its true not only with the Rangers, but all around the league. Watch more than just the highlights and you'll see that no forward has time to look down at the puck, collect, and move forward with a play anymore. Those that do, end up in highlights as scoring opportunities due to defensive lapses or bone crushing body checks where the forward was flattened.
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1)Since you chose to ignore what I commented on in my response. I will reiterate, not all teams over rely on the stretch pass. I said the quality teams allow the D men to skate the puck pass the hash marks and allow shorter passes to their forwards. I can't think of a single team in the NHL that over uses the stretch pass as much as the New York Rangers. All teams use it once in a while to keep teams honest. But I can't think of any that create an entire breakout system like the New York Rangers. I honestly have no idea what league you are watching where there is this massive overuse. Have you seen LA's breakouts? You pick and chose the time to try stretch passes(bad line changes, poor defensive coverage). You don't force them. How many times do we have to utilize stretch pass tip ins??
2)Defensive zone coverage and breakouts, though related, are not mutually inclusive. Just because we have a collapsing zone D does not mean we have to rely on stretch passes. Or are you commenting on something all together different? What we do with the puck once we have it is not synonymous to how we get it. Far too often I saw our Dmen try long passes out of our zone when they were completely un pressured in the corners. No poise, and wings not supporting the puck along the wall.
3)Do we watch the same team? The Rangers struggle with 4ft passes. I saw constantly this season the Rangers stumbling over themselves when trying to receive the puck uncovered. Collectively, our team handles the puck poorly, and doesn't pass all that well(which is further complicated with a poor breakout strategy). That has little to do with opposing team Dmen, and has most to do with the quality of forwards.
Btw, I find it amusing that you seem to forget that during the dead puck era. The stretch pass was used constantly by speedier teams to beat the Neutral Zone trap. For example, Colorado did it during their cup run in 2001, and Tampa in 2004. There really isn't any more proliferation.