Can the PP be fixed?

[GASabresIUFAN]

The Sabres have 13 goals for this season.  11 5 on 5, 1 short handed and 1 empty net.  

With 15 PP opportunities the Sabres are actually -1; 0 PP goals scored and 1 short handed goal allowed.  They are also 0 for 1 on penalties shots.  

The PP is so bad, they are struggling to even enter the offensive zone.  The team has only had 18 SOG in 15 Power Plays.  

Seth Appert was partly promoted to fix the PP.  So far it’s worse.  There is zero flow.  The puck doesn’t move quickly and we rarely ever station someone in front of the net to create screens and pick up loose change. Where is Dave Andreychuk when you need him? 

We also don’t win draws on the PP to gain control of the puck. Cozens, who has taken 16/31 PP draws is 37.5% on those faceoffs.  Tuch has taken the 2nd most (6) is 33%. For reasons unknown TNT has taken only 4 draws on the PP winning 3.

So can this mess be fixed?

 

[mjd1001]

7 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The Sabres have 13 goals for this season.  11 5 on 5, 1 short handed and 1 empty net.  

With 15 PP opportunities the Sabres are actually -1; 0 PP goals scored and 1 short handed goal allowed.  They are also 0 for 1 on penalties shots.  

The PP is so bad, they are struggling to even enter the offensive zone.  The team has only had 18 SOG in 15 Power Plays.  

Seth Appert was partly promoted to fix the PP.  So far it’s worse.  There is zero flow.  The puck doesn’t move quickly and we rarely ever station someone in front of the net to create screens and pick up loose change. Where is Dave Andreychuk when you need him? 

We also don’t win draws on the PP to gain control of the puck. Cozens, who has taken 16/31 PP draws is 37.5% on those faceoffs.  Tuch has taken the 2nd most (6) is 33%. For reasons unknown TNT has taken only 4 draws on the PP winning 3.

So can this mess be fixed?

 

Can it be fixed? Yep.  It sure can.

How to do it? I have no idea what will work.

-I'd start with trying to figure out why Dahlin looks ordinary with the puck (he isn't controlling things back there).

-Get Cozens off the ice

-Throw a big body in front of the net and just have them take punishment there (Sabres guys on the perimeter are getting pressure and not handling it well, throw a big body in front of the net for the other team to worry about so they have to collapse down on that guy a bit.) Greenway. Or maybe that is where you put Cozens (tell him you better not touch the puck on the PP unless its in the crease and you are banging away at it).

-As far as zone entries...No clue how to fix it.  Again, what is up with Dahlin?

[Broken Ankles]

14 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The Sabres have 13 goals for this season.  11 5 on 5, 1 short handed and 1 empty net.  

With 15 PP opportunities the Sabres are actually -1; 0 PP goals scored and 1 short handed goal allowed.  They are also 0 for 1 on penalties shots.  

The PP is so bad, they are struggling to even enter the offensive zone.  The team has only had 18 SOG in 15 Power Plays.  

Seth Appert was partly promoted to fix the PP.  So far it’s worse.  There is zero flow.  The puck doesn’t move quickly and we rarely ever station someone in front of the net to create screens and pick up loose change. Where is Dave Andreychuk when you need him? 

We also don’t win draws on the PP to gain control of the puck. Cozens, who has taken 16/31 PP draws is 37.5% on those faceoffs.  Tuch has taken the 2nd most (6) is 33%. For reasons unknown TNT has taken only 4 draws on the PP winning 3.

So can this mess be fixed?

 

Zoinks

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

26 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

Zoinks

 

Scary isn’t it!

[JP51]

51 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The Sabres have 13 goals for this season.  11 5 on 5, 1 short handed and 1 empty net.  

With 15 PP opportunities the Sabres are actually -1; 0 PP goals scored and 1 short handed goal allowed.  They are also 0 for 1 on penalties shots.  

The PP is so bad, they are struggling to even enter the offensive zone.  The team has only had 18 SOG in 15 Power Plays.  

Seth Appert was partly promoted to fix the PP.  So far it’s worse.  There is zero flow.  The puck doesn’t move quickly and we rarely ever station someone in front of the net to create screens and pick up loose change. Where is Dave Andreychuk when you need him? 

We also don’t win draws on the PP to gain control of the puck. Cozens, who has taken 16/31 PP draws is 37.5% on those faceoffs.  Tuch has taken the 2nd most (6) is 33%. For reasons unknown TNT has taken only 4 draws on the PP winning 3.

So can this mess be fixed?

 

Yes get new players. Preferably ones with heart that actually GAF

[msw2112]

It's truly perplexing.  Despite what many on this board like to think, the Sabres do have several offensively talented players on the roster.  Certainly more than enough to fill a power play unit (and really enough for 2).  High school, junior, and college teams have power plays.  Even bottom-tier NHL teams pose some kind of threat on the power play.  What's up with the Sabres?  I figured that Ruff would get it figured out (perhaps with Appert's help), and maybe he will, but so far, it's absolutely terrible and worse than even last season.  I've only seen a couple of games, but in my limited sample size, I have not even seen them establish any semblance of a power play where they a) enter the offensive zone and b) pass the puck around the perimeter, forcing the other team into a defensive position.  I'm not even talking about guys moving around, creating chances, getting a guy in front of the next, creating rebounds, etc.  Those things are important and were missing last season, but at the very least, they need to start by establishing themselves in the offensive zone with control of the puck.

How a professional hockey club can't even do that is mind boggling.

[HumanSlinky39]

How it's actually WORSE this year is mind boggling. Yes, it can be fixed. And it better be before too long, because if it isn't, the playoffs are a pipe dream.

[Idemo Buffalo]

The good thing is we know the problem. If they get this power play to start working, the Sabres can be a very dangerous team.  

[mjd1001]

The funny thing about the PP is, it is now 5 games into the season and they are NEGATIVE on the PP.  For 5 full games, they have 0 goals scored, 1 goal allowed.

I wonder what the record is for the longest into a season a team goes being a net negative on the PP?

5 minutes ago, Idemo Buffalo said:

The good thing is we know the problem. If they get this power play to start working, the Sabres can be a very dangerous team.  

And its early, but Colorado is 50%, 6 for 12 on the PP and they still haven't won a game.  

[mjd1001]

3 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

 

Seth Appert was partly promoted to fix the PP.  So far it’s worse.  There is zero flow.  The puck doesn’t move quickly and we rarely ever station someone in front of the net to create screens and pick up loose change. Where is Dave Andreychuk when you need him? 

 

 

Big, kinda slow guys who can't skate but had great hands and would take the beating in front of the net. Andreychuk. Tim Kerr. To an extent Rick Vaive, Owen Nolan and Scott Mellanby. 

The NHL doesn't have those type of specialists that much anymore...No one wants to make a career of that role (getting crosschecked over and over in front of the net)

[GASabresIUFAN]

52 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

Big, kinda slow guys who can't skate but had great hands and would take the beating in front of the net. Andreychuk. Tim Kerr. To an extent Rick Vaive, Owen Nolan and Scott Mellanby. 

The NHL doesn't have those type of specialists that much anymore...No one wants to make a career of that role (getting crosschecked over and over in front of the net)

We have guys who could take on that role.  Greenway comes to mind.  Benson would do it.  

[mjd1001]

7 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

We have guys who could take on that role.  Greenway comes to mind.  Benson would do it.  

Greenway for sure. He has pretty good hands, I'm not sure his hands are good enough to get you a bunch of power Play goals but I'm all for it. 

Benson? It might be more of an issue of physics compared to willpower. Maybe he'd be willing to do it, but when you're only 5 ft. 10 in tall and barely 170 lb... No matter how hard you try, you're just not going to be able to hold your position in front of the net or even provide a screen when you have defenseman who are 4 to 5 in taller than you and 50 lb. Heavier than you whose only job is to cross-check you and get you out of there.

Edited October 17 by mjd1001

[xzy89c1]

did not renew espn plus so not able to see games. What is PP1 personnel?

 

The big guy in front of the net does not work. with the ozone being so big the emphasis is on blocking shots not being physical in front. Watch all the good power plays, puck enters zone quick and is moved around. Players are in motion and looking to get open.

[Bangarang]

If we were a properly run franchise Adams would've allowed Lindy to hire his own coaching staff instead of sticking him with Appert and his non existent NHL coaching experience and the rest of the Meatballs castoffs. Appert does have a great head of lettuce though 

Imagine a world where Matt Ellis can put together a more successful PP than you. 

Edited October 18 by Bangarang

[Pimlach]

Adyms liked Granato until he didn’t.  He likes Appert too.  Look out Seth. 

[WhenWillItEnd66]

I am sorry, most will not like to hear this, but no it cannot be fixed with our current roster. Our roster has already embedded habits. Feed Thompson or Goaloffson for one timers. At any time when they are pressured, they do not know what to do and give the puck away and fold. The current roster does not have the creativity to figure out past a forecheck to do anything on the PP. That is why the Sabres are EASY to play against. They do not forecheck often, they are not physical and do not take the body (Stickcheck only) and they are easy to get out of position and backcheck against. This has been the teams MO for years.

[Carmel Corn]

Not fixable until we get somebody who can control the puck with speed on entering the zone.  Nobody can do that for us today as a current Sabre.

[GASabresIUFAN]

52 minutes ago, Carmel Corn said:

Not fixable until we get somebody who can control the puck with speed on entering the zone.  Nobody can do that for us today as a current Sabre.

Peterka.  Tuch. 

We need to station Tage in front of the net.  Play Dahlin and Byram on the points, and allow Tuch, JJP and the 2 D to play a quick passing 4 man game with Tage screening the goalies and collecting loose change.
 

[SabreFinn]

Chicago up next. Take a look at the highlights from their games and especially their powerplay. Bedard and Teräväinen are having one H of a show. Teräväinen was available this summer and he needs no fu ing Matt Ellis to tell him how a powerplay should be played. But they got us Zucker instead.

[Flashsabre]

To me the biggest issue is that they haven’t had a higher end playmaker with elite hockey IQ to run the PP through. Tage and Cozens are not thinkers. They will throw the puck away more than they will make a smart play.

Benson might become that guy over time. I have hope for Östlund but he is a few years away.

[bob_sauve28]

40 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

To me the biggest issue is that they haven’t had a higher end playmaker with elite hockey IQ to run the PP through. Tage and Cozens are not thinkers. They will throw the puck away more than they will make a smart play.

Benson might become that guy over time. I have hope for Östlund but he is a few years away.

Rosen seems to fill the role well in Rochester, from what I have seen of him anyway 

[mjd1001]

43 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

To me the biggest issue is that they haven’t had a higher end playmaker with elite hockey IQ to run the PP through. Tage and Cozens are not thinkers. They will throw the puck away more than they will make a smart play.

Benson might become that guy over time. I have hope for Östlund but he is a few years away.

That makes sense.

I think you need 2 guys like that. One on the blue line, and another on one of the boards.  The guy on the blue line you have in Dahlin. The problem is this year, he just doesn't look right. His puck handling, passing, skating, everything seems off this year.

The other guy on the boards you want someone who 1.) doesn't let pressure get to him 2.) great hands to control the puck when pressured 3.) good vision, passer. 

Kaprizov from MN is one of the best guys I have seen for that role. Kucherov is good. Jack Hughes. Mitch Marner.  Buffalo has no one close to those abilities on that level

I might consider putting both Byram and Dahlin out there, one on the point and the other on the boards. Byram has those skills....But, Dahlin needs to figure out what is wrong with his game before you even consider that.

 

On a slightly different note...Mitch Marner. Any interest in trading for him? 

-If Toronto doesn't resign him, he has a skill set the Sabres do not have. Elite level player. In his prime RIGHT NOW, not in a few years from now. Elite level PP guy, both scoring and controlling the puck.  Not a liability in his own end, he's actually pretty good. Wouldn't have to 'move' that far.  Big Bills fan (has been on the field for Bills games...that might count for SOMETHING?) Buffalo HAS the cap space for him that many/most other teams don't.

Edited October 18 by mjd1001

[Flashsabre]

2 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

That makes sense.

I think you need 2 guys like that. One on the blue line, and another on one of the boards.  The guy on the blue line you have in Dahlin. The problem is this year, he just doesn't look right. His puck handling, passing, skating, everything seems off this year.

The other guy on the boards you want someone who 1.) doesn't let pressure get to him 2.) great hands to control the puck when pressured 3.) good vision, passer. 

Kaprizov from MN is one of the best guys I have seen for that role. Kucherov is good. Jack Hughes. Mitch Marner.  Buffalo has no one close to those abilities on that level

I might consider putting both Byram and Dahlin out there, one on the point and the other on the boards. Byram has those skills....But, Dahlin needs to figure out what is wrong with his game before you even consider that.

 

On a slightly different note...Mitch Marner. Any interest in trading for him? 

-If Toronto doesn't resign him, he has a skill set the Sabres do not have. Elite level player. In his prime RIGHT NOW, not in a few years from now. Elite level PP guy, both scoring and controlling the puck.  Not a liability in his own end, he's actually pretty good. Wouldn't have to 'move' that far.  Big Bills fan (has been on the field for Bills games...that might count for SOMETHING?) Buffalo HAS the cap space for him that many/most other teams don't.

Marner is perfect for that role but I have no doubt that the Leafs will get a deal done with him.

[Taro T]

20 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

That makes sense.

I think you need 2 guys like that. One on the blue line, and another on one of the boards.  The guy on the blue line you have in Dahlin. The problem is this year, he just doesn't look right. His puck handling, passing, skating, everything seems off this year.

The other guy on the boards you want someone who 1.) doesn't let pressure get to him 2.) great hands to control the puck when pressured 3.) good vision, passer. 

Kaprizov from MN is one of the best guys I have seen for that role. Kucherov is good. Jack Hughes. Mitch Marner.  Buffalo has no one close to those abilities on that level

I might consider putting both Byram and Dahlin out there, one on the point and the other on the boards. Byram has those skills....But, Dahlin needs to figure out what is wrong with his game before you even consider that.

 

On a slightly different note...Mitch Marner. Any interest in trading for him? 

-If Toronto doesn't resign him, he has a skill set the Sabres do not have. Elite level player. In his prime RIGHT NOW, not in a few years from now. Elite level PP guy, both scoring and controlling the puck.  Not a liability in his own end, he's actually pretty good. Wouldn't have to 'move' that far.  Big Bills fan (has been on the field for Bills games...that might count for SOMETHING?) Buffalo HAS the cap space for him that many/most other teams don't.

Would gladly take Marner as a FA.  (Still not a fan of his during the playoffs, but this team needs to be in the playoffs before they worry about guys disappearing when there.)  Doubt Adams would be able to find a trade w/ TO for his services that doesn't look like the Sabres got bent over a barrel.  And truly doubt Adams would make a trade like that anyhow.  Love him or hate him; or simply get maddenly frustrated by him, he has been consistent in sticking to his philosophy of making moves to help today only if they also make sense (at least in theory) for the future of the team.  And expect Marner would cost a significant chunk of those futures if TO were even at the point they don't expect they could reink him.  So, even if the answer were 'sure, trade for him too' don't see any way Adams would do so.

[BearWithME]

It can definitely be fixed, but it takes awhile before it's completely better.

Word to the wise: when the doctor says "digital exam", they mean their finger, not a digital photograph. Once they complete that exam and confirm the reduced flow isn't from anything cancerous, you have the choice as to whether or not you want to go on something like flomax, or try the all natural route.

I opted for saw palmetto and stinging nettle leaf tea, after hearing that flomax has some pretty intense side effects.

I would say at this point my PP is 90% better, so stick with it!

Also, great thread OP: with another season looking to be lost already, focusing on the health of our prostates is likely to be a more rewarding, and possibly even enjoyable, journey than the one we were likely to have following Sabres hockey.

Anyone else have any good tips or advice?