And that's because nobody in the NHL had really seen it or played against it, and had to adapt. It's also because defensemen back then were much bigger, slower, and less talented with the puck. The left wing lock is all over the place now BWC. Pretty much every team in the NHL uses it, and it is used throughout all levels of youth hockey as well. Hell, I was taught something very similar to it in travel hockey in the early 90s before it was even popular in the NHL. It is just taking fundamental defensive hockey, tweaking the positioning of the F3, and adding an extremely aggressive forecheck into it. Nothing more. To be honest, the left wing lock has become fundamental now....
And that's because nobody in the NHL had really seen it or played against it, and had to adapt. It's also because defensemen back then were much bigger, slower, and less talented with the puck. The left wing lock is all over the place now BWC. Pretty much every team in the NHL uses it, and it is used throughout all levels of youth hockey as well. Hell, I was taught something very similar to it in travel hockey in the early 90s before it was even popular in the NHL. It is just taking fundamental defensive hockey, tweaking the positioning of the F3, and adding an extremely aggressive forecheck into it. Nothing more. To be honest, the left wing lock has become fundamental now....
I dont care for it when used constantly
I thought the best hockey IMO played was what we saw in early 90's. Before the game became too defensive , Goalies pads grew to be size of houses , etc
I understand its value and why teams use it but often it is used too much. Not all teams aren't aggressive in there forecheck and it becomes just like another version of trap
If teams aren't aggressive in their forecheck, then it's not the left wing lock they're using, but a neutral zone trap. The whole point of the left wing lock is the aggressive forecheck...
If teams aren't aggressive in their forecheck, then it's not the left wing lock they're using, but a neutral zone trap. The whole point of the left wing lock is the aggressive forecheck...
No teams use a half assed version of left wing lock
Look at Jim's beloved Habs after dumping Martin. They basically transistioned from Trap system to a hyrbid left wing lock /non full trap
Maybe they just dont have talent to pull off an effective LWL but it isn't pretty to watch
I just miss 93 and 94 hockey. IMO right before everyone trapped/LWL and goalies sizes grew
93 and 94 was some of the best hockey to watch over that 2 yr period. Just enough offense but some good goaltending/D as well
Actually, to drum this up a little more: Smith is one of Scotty's old assistant coaches -- he was behind the bench with Scotty for five Cup wins, all the way from the '87 Sabres to the '02 Red Wings (and two more years with the Wings after Scotty left) -- so he's already got friends in high places.
Smith is now the coach of HC Lugano, where a couple of Hawks players went this summer to get a little extra development in; off the top of my head, Kruger, Hjalmarsson, and Hayes were part of the group.
You don't send players to see one guy for no reason, and you certainly don't fly a guy in all the way from Switzerland just to give a few pointers.
He's Director of Player Development, don't know how long he's had that position. He also used to be a player scout for the Hawks before so he's not new to this organization. He did resign as HC Lugano's coach in October of last year.
He's Director of Player Development, don't know how long he's had that position. He also used to be a player scout for the Hawks before so he's not new to this organization. He did resign as HC Lugano's coach in October of last year.
There is no reason for the Power Play to be bad for one year straight.
We have goaltending issues fine. I understand that, but we have 2 Olympian defenseman D. Keith and B. Seabrook and we are 3/4ths the way through the NHL season and have yet to post a shutout.
Quenneville can play out the year fine. In the offseason who is available?
