How to Fix the D Both Short and Long-term?

[pi2000]

Agree with the others about the Flagg posts on the The System thread. That's some great work.

 

In football terms, Dan's system is 5 of 6 plays is to throw 20-30 yard passes. They don't connect often, but at least when they don't you're not tackled for a loss. The other play is to hand off to your first-team all-star running back (Eichel), who rushes 11 yards per carry on average, but in Dan's mind no one else on the team can do that.

 

In reality, who else can really carry the puck up ice like that?  O'Reilly?   He does it often enough, but that's not his game.   Kane does it.  

 

The bigger issue is we don't have any defensemen who can lug the mail with consistent success.... Risto tries, but he's not a Karlsson, Doughty,  Keith type guy that can open up the ice for everybody else.... like what Brian Campbell did when he was in his prime here.    McCabe skate's well enough, but just doesn't have the offensive instincts. 

[WildCard]

And the Canes and 29 other teams in the league do? It's pretty faking easy for an NHL defensmen to skate forward and make 10 ft passes. A hellavu lot easier than making 60 ft passes through traffic really

[dudacek]

You know who can skate the puck up ice and make 10-foot passes?

Kulikov and Bogosian.

 

Here's something else worth pondering: for all our Hail Mary passes, how many breakaways have we had this year? Ten?

[WildCard]

You know who can skate the puck up ice and make 10-foot passes?

Kulikov and Bogosian.

 

Here's something else worth pondering: for all our Hail Mary passes, how many breakaways have we had this year? Ten?

Excellent point. I'd bet I can count on 2 hands how many we've had

[TrueBlueGED]

You know who can skate the puck up ice and make 10-foot passes?

Kulikov and Bogosian.

 

Here's something else worth pondering: for all our Hail Mary passes, how many breakaways have we had this year? Ten?

In fact, one could argue that that's literally the only thing Bogosian does well.

[Drunkard]

You know who can skate the puck up ice and make 10-foot passes?

Kulikov and Bogosian.

 

Here's something else worth pondering: for all our Hail Mary passes, how many breakaways have we had this year? Ten?

 

Damn good point. As much as I'd like to see some upgrades on the blue line I'd be willing to bet our current defensive corps would looks much better if they weren't asked to play in a system that requires them to consistently thread the needle with 50+ foot passes.

[Randall Flagg]

You know who can skate the puck up ice and make 10-foot passes?

Kulikov and Bogosian.

 

Here's something else worth pondering: for all our Hail Mary passes, how many breakaways have we had this year? Ten?

I've noticed this too. Fewer breakaways than any team I've ever seen.

 

Because teams know what we do, and adjust to stop it.

[Sabre fan]

anybody notice that when given big minutes kulikov responded in a big way?

[North Buffalo]

His back has been a problem all year.... i still think he needs to rest it then work like hell to get back in shape.

[Sabre fan]

and the fact remains no one is sure whether to re-sign him but he sure looked good