1/ The Athletic & NY Times are considered "newspapers of record".
Meaning once humanity's extinct, aliens will be reading these sites...and their flawed justifications for coup's in the #Preds organization & Latin America!
But with GAME TAPE in orbit...the truth is out there 👽
Meaning once humanity's extinct, aliens will be reading these sites...and their flawed justifications for coup's in the #Preds organization & Latin America!
But with GAME TAPE in orbit...the truth is out there 👽
2/ It may have escaped Mr. Vingan's notice, but the day he declared "Mission Accomplished" in George Dubya Jr. fashion...
...the #Preds lines had just blown up - in yet another iteration of Coach Hynes' top six experiment.
It's important to understand *why* that change occurred
...the #Preds lines had just blown up - in yet another iteration of Coach Hynes' top six experiment.
It's important to understand *why* that change occurred
3/ The last #Preds GAME TAPE thread explained how Turris & Granlund found success in a new offensive system.
But that strategy was akin to an NFL team reaching the 40 yard line, and kicking a field goal each time.
It repressed the skill of JOFA+Duchene:
But that strategy was akin to an NFL team reaching the 40 yard line, and kicking a field goal each time.
It repressed the skill of JOFA+Duchene:
4/ After the Las Vegas loss, the #Preds staff seemed to have loosened up the offensive structure.
Less reliance on Mason Crosby...more opportunity for Aaron Rodgers.
The games between Feb. 4 - Feb. 10 let us see Turris & Granlund operate in a more "natural" offensive structure:
Less reliance on Mason Crosby...more opportunity for Aaron Rodgers.
The games between Feb. 4 - Feb. 10 let us see Turris & Granlund operate in a more "natural" offensive structure:
5/ During the "Penguins vs Maple Leafs" broadcast, they discussed the integration of Jason Zucker into Sidney Crosby's line.
Pittsburgh told Zucker: "Don't slow down for Crosby. Sidney wants you to move fast & get available."
#Preds
Pittsburgh told Zucker: "Don't slow down for Crosby. Sidney wants you to move fast & get available."
#Preds
6/ Rather than "get available", the #Preds Kyle Turris centered line had a tendency to "get lateral".
Outside of the aforementioned "new strategy"...
They seemed to slow down for each other. Reducing passing options for the puck carrier. Diminishing offensive opportunities:
Outside of the aforementioned "new strategy"...
They seemed to slow down for each other. Reducing passing options for the puck carrier. Diminishing offensive opportunities:
7/ Despite his beautiful hair & wrist shot...it's a sad fact that Kyle Turris didn't do steroids this summer. #Preds
So while he gets to be a "role model" & "mentally sane"...it's a sad fact that he's ain't out-muscling or out-racing anyone in the NHL:
So while he gets to be a "role model" & "mentally sane"...it's a sad fact that he's ain't out-muscling or out-racing anyone in the NHL:
8/ By placing Kyle Turris as center, with a smaller winger like Viktor Arvidsson... #Preds
You can see how Turris' physical restraints reduce the probability of this smaller duo winning board battles, or achieving complimentary pace:
You can see how Turris' physical restraints reduce the probability of this smaller duo winning board battles, or achieving complimentary pace:
9/ You could accept the vulnerabilities of this smaller duo on the right wing...if there was chemistry between Turris & Forsberg on the left wing. #Preds
But again, outside of the "pass back, screen" default - uninspiring board & passing support was more evident:
But again, outside of the "pass back, screen" default - uninspiring board & passing support was more evident:
10/ Board & pass support may seem trivial. But look closely at Kyle Turris' recent goals. #Preds
Look at the battles Filip Forsberg & Matt Duchene have to win, to get a sniper like Turris those opportunities.
It's the kind of support Turris can't provide in the center position:
Look at the battles Filip Forsberg & Matt Duchene have to win, to get a sniper like Turris those opportunities.
It's the kind of support Turris can't provide in the center position:
11/ As an aside, the work Forsberg & Duchene put-in to facilitate those recent Turris goals?
It's the same hard work Austin Watson does - along the boards, off the stick, in the slot. #Preds
Said it before. He's never had a speed element who could capitalize on that work:
It's the same hard work Austin Watson does - along the boards, off the stick, in the slot. #Preds
Said it before. He's never had a speed element who could capitalize on that work:
12/ Getting back to the top six, while the Turris line "got lateral"...it seemed the Granlund line routinely "got triangular". #Preds
Matt Duchene signed, expecting a "get up & go" attack. But with Granlund/Johansen...he'd get static, packed-in, & lost in the Bermuda Triangle:
Matt Duchene signed, expecting a "get up & go" attack. But with Granlund/Johansen...he'd get static, packed-in, & lost in the Bermuda Triangle:
13/ That "get up & go" desire isn't just a "preference". It's also a smart survival instinct. #Preds
Johansen & Forsberg are more likely to muscle their way through board pressure. Duchene & Granlund are more likely to get bogged down:
Johansen & Forsberg are more likely to muscle their way through board pressure. Duchene & Granlund are more likely to get bogged down:
14/ It's escaped the notice of most that a majority of Granlund's recent goals have been achieved via tips in the slot. #Preds
It incentivizes him set up statically. Removing a forward passing option. The point becomes an escape valve - that smart opponents can neutralize:
It incentivizes him set up statically. Removing a forward passing option. The point becomes an escape valve - that smart opponents can neutralize:
15/ What 'The Athletic' can't accept is that Coach Laviolette *saw* all of this.
He just didn't want to pay the *opportunity cost*.
Implementing a suffocating offensive system, team-wide. Destroying the #Preds top line, to rehabilitate two players.
He just didn't want to pay the *opportunity cost*.
Implementing a suffocating offensive system, team-wide. Destroying the #Preds top line, to rehabilitate two players.
16/ Coach Hynes must have recognized what we've reviewed in today's #Preds GAME TAPE.
While 'The Athletic' declared "Mission Accomplished"...Mr. Hynes moved Turris to the wing, & split Granlund from Duchene.
On Saturday, we'll conclude this series with:
While 'The Athletic' declared "Mission Accomplished"...Mr. Hynes moved Turris to the wing, & split Granlund from Duchene.
On Saturday, we'll conclude this series with:
