At the risk of jinxing everything, how great has our powerplay been lately? Even with guys like Brent and Stewart working key parts of the man-advantage, it's clicking at a ridiculous percentage since Muller took over and made the changes.
I posted this in the Kaberle topic on the main board, but I think it's worth noting here:
Quote:
Before Muller: 14 out of 115 opportunities - 12.1%
After Muller: 26 out of 122 opportunities - 21.3%
With Kaberle: 17 out of 134 opportunities - 12.6%
Without Kaberle: 23 out of 103 opportunities - 22.33%
Muller was hired on November 29th, Kaberle traded on December 9th.
If the powerplay is even close to as efficient next year as it has been lately, we could contend for a playoff spot next year. I've always felt our poor powerplay has kept us from winning many games over the past couple years, and as a result, causing us to miss the playoffs. I'm eager to see what happens.
At the risk of jinxing everything, how great has our powerplay been lately? Even with guys like Brent and Stewart working key parts of the man-advantage, it's clicking at a ridiculous percentage since Muller took over and made the changes.
I posted this in the Kaberle topic on the main board, but I think it's worth noting here:
If the powerplay is even close to as efficient next year as it has been lately, we could contend for a playoff spot next year. I've always felt our poor powerplay has kept us from winning many games over the past couple years, and as a result, causing us to miss the playoffs. I'm eager to see what happens.
[Spoiler] We become unable to score at even strength. [/Spoiler]
We have capable people, just needed a change in mindset. Though I wouldn't have chosen Brent for the qb, we have others who can do that. We'll need them to do it, though Brent has done a good job.
I’m curious to see what the staff does when Joni gets back in the lineup. It seems like a no-brainer to swap out Brent for Joni at the point. Adding his puck moving ability, playmaking and his chemistry with Jussi to the 1st unit could make an already good PP even deadlier. At the same time, they lose a RHS and a RH faceoff man in Brent. Seemingly every Canes broadcast since Muller took over has harped on the staff’s desire to have both of those elements on the top unit.
won't be shocked if we move Brent to the wing on that unit. It's not like we have anything irreplaceable out there in that regard right now.
Anything to get Jussi off the first unit right now. I swear, the next time he tries to "feather" a pass back to the point instead of making a quick, crisp pass, I'm going to go over the glass and speak to him about it.
We have capable people, just needed a change in mindset. Though I wouldn't have chosen Brent for the qb, we have others who can do that. We'll need them to do it, though Brent has done a good job.
Interesting how Muller emphasizes balance between RH and LH shooters on his PP units. It's rare to see bottom six guys like Brent and LaRose get so much time (relatively speaking) on the PP. It's not just a matter of rolling out the top players for the PP. It also helps with overall minute distribution across the four lines, as does the emphasis on shorter shifts. Sutter though gets hurt due to their reliance on him on the PK, presumably.
The PP now also makes much better use of spacing. The points play much deeper and closer to the blue line giving them better sight lines, shooting lanes and angles. It all adds up.
I've also been pleasantly surprised by Brent's ability on the point though I'd still prefer seeing the points on their off-wings. He really makes good decisions overall and is a better passer than I'd thought. If Sutter weren't entrenched there, he'd make a capable shut-down 3rd line center. He'll finish with double-digit goals, the first time for a full-time 4th line center since Kevyn Adams.
Anything to get Jussi off the first unit right now. I swear, the next time he tries to "feather" a pass back to the point instead of making a quick, crisp pass, I'm going to go over the glass and speak to him about it.
Not just that, but with Jussi on the first unit you've got 3 centers there, and Sutter doesn't even get time on the 2nd unit. When you roll out a forward group of Tlusty, Boychuk and Samson/Stewart, is it any wonder that they have trouble with everything?
At the risk of jinxing everything, how great has our powerplay been lately? Even with guys like Brent and Stewart working key parts of the man-advantage, it's clicking at a ridiculous percentage since Muller took over and made the changes.
I posted this in the Kaberle topic on the main board, but I think it's worth noting here:
If the powerplay is even close to as efficient next year as it has been lately, we could contend for a playoff spot next year. I've always felt our poor powerplay has kept us from winning many games over the past couple years, and as a result, causing us to miss the playoffs. I'm eager to see what happens.
Good topic and thanks for posting the stats. Nice to see the numbers with/without Muller and shows how much coaching plays into a PP and Muller's capability there. Not sure I'd put too much into the with/without Kaberle though, as it coincides with Muller and I think it has a lot more do do with the team getting accustomed to what he wants on the PP. I'm guessing if you did a with/without Pitkanen, it would look similar to with/without Kaberle as well.
Now if they could just get to .500 on OT/Shoot out games.
Sutter should be on the pp. He just has more to offer than defense. He would be one of our more poised pp players IMO.
I couldn't agree more. One of (if not the most) intelligent players on Carolina. With his poise and smarts, I would like to see him get some time there.
Good topic and thanks for posting the stats. Nice to see the numbers with/without Muller and shows how much coaching plays into a PP and Muller's capability there. Not sure I'd put too much into the with/without Kaberle though, as it coincides with Muller and I think it has a lot more do do with the team getting accustomed to what he wants on the PP. I'm guessing if you did a with/without Pitkanen, it would look similar to with/without Kaberle as well.
Oh, I know. But as I said, the topic on the main board was Kaberle's play with the Habs, and one of the questions was how Carolina's powerplay has changed since Kaberle's removal.
Oh, I know. But as I said, the topic on the main board was Kaberle's play with the Habs, and one of the questions was how Carolina's powerplay has changed since Kaberle's removal.
Ah...ok. I missed that and didn't catch the thread on the main board.
They still have way too much trouble entering the zone, gets a little tiring to see it cleared the length of the ice 3 or 4 times before they get it into the zone with 30-45 seconds left on the PP.
