Travis Yost: Isolating For Performance

Travis Yost: Isolating For Performance
- Travis Yost

Best chart yet. That is exactly what I was referring to earlier. But, not the question of how Spezza improves with Karlsson. Rather, the opposite is more important. Look at the deterioration in Karlsson's performance when he plays with Spezza vs his performance with Turris. I think that is the huge issue that will make a significant difference in the the upcoming year.

Karlsson gets killed every time he steps on the ice having to play with a center who does not come back on the play. So, many times it appeared that Karlsson and other Dmen looked lost around their own net. More often than not it was the failure of the center to control that triangle and slot area in front of the net.

Much like the way Karlsson's game deteriorates with Spezza, I feel as though Smith and Greening are victimized by Neil, who is slow and can't handle the puck. Might be totally wrong. But when one player on the ice can't play, other players scramble to make up for it, whether it's NHL or beer league. A system does not work in chaos. Greening is overpaid no matter how you look at it, but I don't think he's THAT bad. He looked bad with Spezza at one point this year (took an early line change or something) but Spezza's got to be hard to play with, with the chaotic no look passes, lack of defensive zone play etc … Zibanejad said he loved playing with Greening and Condra. A good 2 way centre with reliable RW is what Greening needs to thrive. While Greening-Smith-Neil is a train wreck, I bet Greening-Smith-Condra is a fantastic 4th line.

Travis,

I asked you in the comments of the last blog...

Can we examine Ottawas penalty issues from last season (and the two previous ones) of just how many we are taking relative to the teams we are playing against? vs in game competition and vs other teams league/division wide? Also, what zones we are taking them and maybe if it's tracked if we have or don't have possession when we take them?

Also maybe tracking Ottawa's propensity to take a stupid penalty in the first 5-10 minutes of the game and how often it resulted in a goal against?

R

Travis,

I asked you in the comments of the last blog...

Can we examine Ottawas penalty issues from last season (and the two previous ones) of just how many we are taking relative to the teams we are playing against? vs in game competition and vs other teams league/division wide? Also, what zones we are taking them and maybe if it's tracked if we have or don't have possession when we take them?

Also maybe tracking Ottawa's propensity to take a stupid penalty in the first 5-10 minutes of the game and how often it resulted in a goal against?

R
- riceroni

Hm. I can touch on some of those things. Wrote about it other times.

ie

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=59109

Much like the way Karlsson's game deteriorates with Spezza, I feel as though Smith and Greening are victimized by Neil, who is slow and can't handle the puck. Might be totally wrong. But when one player on the ice can't play, other players scramble to make up for it, whether it's NHL or beer league. A system does not work in chaos. Greening is overpaid no matter how you look at it, but I don't think he's THAT bad. He looked bad with Spezza at one point this year (took an early line change or something) but Spezza's got to be hard to play with, with the chaotic no look passes, lack of defensive zone play etc … Zibanejad said he loved playing with Greening and Condra. A good 2 way centre with reliable RW is what Greening needs to thrive. While Greening-Smith-Neil is a train wreck, I bet Greening-Smith-Condra is a fantastic 4th line.
- AStew86

Greening's not good, but I think he can play on a fourth-line. Neil's obviously not an NHL'er anymore. Smith's really hurt by both of them ...

I knew it.

The Sens will be MUCH better without Spezza.

I knew it.

The Sens will be MUCH better without Spezza.
- Pecafan Fan

I don't think that's true for next season ..

Good break down. Interesting stuff..

I'm going to copy this from my comment in the last blog as I think it relates to what is being discussed here:

Some posters here have to move on from the Spezza scapegoating. The only way this team improves is if all players improve from their play from last year. Reading these comments you'd think this was a great team and Spezza ruined them all. This simply isn't the case. Our whole team was sub par. Our defence, on paper, is not overly impressive, but the potential to improve is there. Our forwards right now are kind of up in the air. Lots of transitions of young players and bounce back season from vets will be happening, or not happening.

To me, this will be one of the more questionable seasons in Sens history. I don't think anyone knows what to expect. If this team improves it will be because of all players improving from last year and growing into their roles. Not because we got rid of Spezza. If this team struggles, it will be because bounce back seasons are not happening and young players are struggling to gel into their role. Not because we got rid of Spezza. As much as I wanted to keep Spezza, he is no longer here and cannot be blamed for the success or failures of this team going forward. Choose a new scapegoat. I am thinking Karlsson will be a fine choice...

I don't think that's true for next season ..
- Travis Yost

What's the difference in terms QoC between Spezza and Turris in those 3 years shown in your graphic?

What's the difference in terms QoC between Spezza and Turris in those 3 years shown in your graphic?
- Pecafan Fan

Turris was pretty much playing 1C last year and definitely playing against top 6 the two years prior.

What's the difference in terms QoC between Spezza and Turris in those 3 years shown in your graphic?
- Pecafan Fan

Not a whole lot actually, but it's probably a small edge to JS. Funny to see the change though. Here's 2012 and 2014 (Spezza out most of 2013), rolling 10-game.





The equality at the end: (1) Hemsky trade; (2) Ryan injury. Away from that, Turris saw the tougher minutes.

Lot's changed since a couple of years ago..

I'm going to copy this from my comment in the last blog as I think it relates to what is being discussed here:

Some posters here have to move on from the Spezza scapegoating. The only way this team improves is if all players improve from their play from last year. Reading these comments you'd think this was a great team and Spezza ruined them all. This simply isn't the case. Our whole team was sub par. Our defence, on paper, is not overly impressive, but the potential to improve is there. Our forwards right now are kind of up in the air. Lots of transitions of young players and bounce back season from vets will be happening, or not happening.

To me, this will be one of the more questionable seasons in Sens history. I don't think anyone knows what to expect. If this team improves it will be because of all players improving from last year and growing into their roles. Not because we got rid of Spezza. If this team struggles, it will be because bounce back seasons are not happening and young players are struggling to gel into their role. Not because we got rid of Spezza. As much as I wanted to keep Spezza, he is no longer here and cannot be blamed for the success or failures of this team going forward. Choose a new scapegoat. I am thinking Karlsson will be a fine choice...
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I really don't think it is scapegoating. Spezza never has been strong defensively. But his offensive game was so strong, his line could contain a lot of the play in the offensive zone. Now, he has lost a step (not unlike LaCavalier) he does not get back to help in his own zone.

The best offensive player on the Ottawa Senators is Karlsson. And, it is magic to watch how Turris enables Karlsson to go. If Karlsson gets caught up ice he has the speed to get back on the play and with Turris you have a guy who is always coming back.

I think that is why Legwand is such a great fit. He has good wheels, plays a similar game to Turris and now we should see a center on every shift who is able to get back on the play.

I don't want to knock Spezza. But, I do not believe his game is well suited to the 200' game MacClean wants the Senators to play. I hope he has great success in Dallas. But, I am delighted with the Ottawa look down the middle.

i think you guys are overly hard on Spezza considering Karlsson essentially gets a free pass for putting his team in defensive danger as often as he does.

i think you guys are overly hard on Spezza considering Karlsson essentially gets a free pass for putting his team in defensive danger as often as he does.
- DoubleDown

55% of the shots and 52% of the goals for years now. I don't object to the notion that his play creates some defensive issues but he always comes out ahead, rather significantly too. If he didn't come out ahead, it'd be a concern. But I don't see how anyone can not give him a pass when his team always is better than the opposition if he's on the ice.

I really don't think it is scapegoating. Spezza never has been strong defensively. But his offensive game was so strong, his line could contain a lot of the play in the offensive zone. Now, he has lost a step (not unlike LaCavalier) he does not get back to help in his own zone.

The best offensive player on the Ottawa Senators is Karlsson. And, it is magic to watch how Turris enables Karlsson to go. If Karlsson gets caught up ice he has the speed to get back on the play and with Turris you have a guy who is always coming back.

I think that is why Legwand is such a great fit. He has good wheels, plays a similar game to Turris and now we should see a center on every shift who is able to get back on the play.

I don't want to knock Spezza. But, I do not believe his game is well suited to the 200' game MacClean wants the Senators to play. I hope he has great success in Dallas. But, I am delighted with the Ottawa look down the middle.
- spatso

As much as I would love to begin a debate here (so many ways I could go, hard to hold back) I am going to stick with the main point of my post that Spezza no longer has any baring on this teams success or failure. People wanted Spezza gone. You got your wish. Time to turn the page.

Travis Yost: Isolating For Performance
- Travis Yost

Awesome. Thank you.

I was a little surprised to see Spezza do so well territorially with all defensemen. The goals % though, wow. The gap is huge!

i think you guys are overly hard on Spezza considering Karlsson essentially gets a free pass for putting his team in defensive danger as often as he does.
- DoubleDown

Yeah I guess so, but hein... talk about Subban. He is a good offensive D but border line abysimal defensively. He hits real good, he can skate, shoot and has amazing hands, but he has to stop trying those hip checks that takes him completely out of the play.

Yeah I guess so, but hein... talk about Subban. He is a good offensive D but border line abysimal defensively. He hits real good, he can skate, shoot and has amazing hands, but he has to stop trying those hip checks that takes him completely out of the play.
- PtotheY

And what's the link between Subban and Spezza here?

i think you guys are overly hard on Spezza considering Karlsson essentially gets a free pass for putting his team in defensive danger as often as he does.
- DoubleDown

You wouldn't know and offensive talent if you tripped over Bobby Orr

You wouldn't know and offensive talent if you tripped over Bobby Orr
- tuna99

I don't think anyone is questioning what Karlsson brings offensively.

I don't think anyone is questioning what Karlsson brings offensively.
- Pecafan Fan

Let me re-phrase - You wouldn't know hockey talent if you tripped over Bobby Orr

Let me re-phrase - You wouldn't know hockey talent if you tripped over Bobby Orr
- tuna99

You shouldn't be so sensitive.

You shouldn't be so sensitive.
- Pecafan Fan

just go away