AK can't skate backwards fast enough. Even Pleky can't do it. We don't have an Ovi who can take over the powerplay from the point.
I thought the Habs had a pretty good PP last season without an Ovechkin (or even a Markov). Trying Kostitsyn at the point is an interesting experiment. JM doesn't have to stick with it if it doesn't work.
He sure has QB potential and a killer wrister. I am afraid for the defensive liability he might become, but he sure would speed up the transition into the opponents zone if he's the 4th attacker.
If we need a body in front of the next I'd much rather it be a guy like Darche. He's proven he's good at it and he doesn't do it the Latendresse way or the way sometimes Andrei does it where they are only standing near the net and not actually in front. I understand they're trying to pick up rebounds or a nice feed but if you're supposed to be in front of the net that usually means screening.
Darche actually goes in front of the net. I love this guy because he has the heart of a lion. He'll do what he's told to do by the coaches to a tee. Don't expect him to be a 40g scorer but he's a reliable player when you need one most. I see him being the go-to guy for that if we're struggling on the PP and need to mix things up.
Kostitsyn playing the point is intriguing but I agree with people saying he sucks at one timers. When he gets them off they're good but he fans a whole lot, and misses the puck entirely.
I'm actually one of the few Kostitsyn fans on this board. I think Kosty is due for a big year though either way.
He does have a bomb of a shot, we tried this before with Carbo but Andrei wasn't accurate enough. We'll see if his accuracy his improved.
You want Kostitsyn out there on the PP, but Cole, Patches and Gionta have the net presence job.
He doesn't have accuracy isssues at all, Carbo tried him for one 5 on 3 pp at the point against the Leafs. I remember him shooting 2 bombs that went over the net, it's not like he can't adjust...
He doesn't have accuracy isssues at all, Carbo tried him for one 5 on 3 pp at the point against the Leafs. I remember him shooting 2 bombs that went over the net, it's not like he can't adjust...
I remember them trying Sergei on the point but I don't recall seeing Andrei.
I am sure you are correct......just don't recall witnessing it myself.
in practice it works, but unless he specifically worked on it over the offseason, in real games, he won't get a shot off. passes either have to be perfect or slow. i know a lot of guys won't take the shot if they have to adjust their position, but the good point guys know how to slide ever so slightly without messing with the centre of gravity and getting your weight out through your shot release. i remember seeing AK in these situations and it hadn't been optimal. but yeah, if he could get his already awesome shot to work with passes coming from a steady guy, it could work, but on this current roster, don't we already have enough guys with more experience pointing PP's?
Wow. Big vote of confidence from Jacques to Andrei. I'm so happy he's trying it out, there is so much potential in this move.
This isn't a vote of confidence. This is a coach putting a guy in his place. A coach saying "You opened your pie-hole this summer, you better deliver or I'll make you look like a total @ss"
I thought the Habs had a pretty good PP last season without an Ovechkin (or even a Markov). Trying Kostitsyn at the point is an interesting experiment. JM doesn't have to stick with it if it doesn't work.
You missed the point completely. My point is AK at the point won't work. Read properly.
So, after 1 game, what did you think of the experience?
Replace Weber by Subban, would it be better?
I woudn't say that exactly.. but Subban is obviously a better player. We didnt get to see A.K play at the point because Weber kept trying to "relance" the offence and kept on just dumping it and giving the puck to other team.... And when they started to set up, the puck was low and barely lasted 10-15 secs before the Sens cleared it out..
AK46 has played the point in Russia and the AHL. I recall him saying in interviews that this is where he wants to be on the PP since that's what he's always done. He has the shot and the playmaking abilities to make things happen. I hope he takes advantage of this opportunity.
So far, if we were to start the season tomorrow, I'd greenlight AK's position on the point until further notice. He might be better on Cammy's side... But guess what? Cammy's there!
Against the Bruins, he was prompt to retreat if the Bruins recovered the puck, in order not to be a liability.
He moves the puck pretty well, is effective in opportune rushes in the slot. And have a dangerous shot that ain't wasted on the point.
So if it makes AK happy, keep him there. With either PK or Markov on the left point with him, he'll be dangerous as hell.
Last edited by PricePkPatch: 09-26-2011 at 09:09 AM.
Reason: The swag distracted me
