I wouldn't label gudas as a predatory hitter. Most of his hits players are coming straight at him through the neutral zone. He is a bowling bowl. Guys like him, krone all, emelin, are solid low Gravity players. They do hit with an intent to eliminate the player from the puck and send a message that it's going to be physical when he's on the ice. The sheer number of clean hard hits that are also effective doesn't make it fair to label him a predatory hitter
- Just5

Gudas is absolutely a predatory hitter.

I wouldn't label gudas as a predatory hitter. Most of his hits players are coming straight at him through the neutral zone. He is a bowling ball. Guys like him, krone all, emelin, are solid low Gravity players. They do hit with an intent to eliminate the player from the puck and send a message that it's going to be physical when he's on the ice. The sheer number of clean hard hits that are also effective doesn't make it fair to label him a predatory hitter
- Just5

I would, Gudas has more than his fair share of hit attempts looking to crush the player, even to the fault of taking himself way out of position to do so. Which makes it out of the flow of play.

I wouldn't label gudas as a predatory hitter. Most of his hits players are coming straight at him through the neutral zone. He is a bowling ball. Guys like him, kronwall, emelin, are solid low Gravity players. They do hit with an intent to eliminate the player from the puck and send a message that it's going to be physical when he's on the ice. The sheer number of clean hard hits that are also effective doesn't make it fair to label him a predatory hitter
- Just5

Yep...all hits to separate the player from the puck, not to try to injure a guy, especially when the player doesn't even have the puck anymore. Check out 1:50, he does his best Steve Downie on Dean McAmmond impression.

When it comes to predatory hits aimed to injure guys, Kronwall's a poster child. When it's time for an actual check to take the puck away, he's as soft as they come. But when he has a chance to catch an unsuspecting player with a big hit, he can't wait to go all-out and fly off his skates to try to concuss the guy.

I would, Gudas has more than his fair share of hit attempts looking to crush the player, even to the fault of taking himself way out of position to do so. Which makes it out of the flow of play.
- MJL

Gudas had all the intent a player needs in his one suspension this season.

Yep...all hits to separate the player from the puck, not to try to injure a guy, especially when the player doesn't even have the puck anymore. Check out 1:50, he does his best Steve Downie on Dean McAmmond impression.

When it comes to predatory hits aimed to injure guys, Kronwall's a poster child. When it's time for an actual check to take the puck away, he's as soft as they come. But when he has a chance to catch an unsuspecting player with a big hit, he can't wait to go all-out and fly off his skates to try to concuss the guy.
- jmatchett383

That hit on Havlat is just brutal. How many times does he leave his feet to launch into a hit?

I'd like to see the Flyers play Laughton more, and add Raffl to the PK rotation.
- MJL

I have no idea why Raffl doesn't kill penalties any more.

Raffl's PK time
13-14: 117:55 in 68 games = 1:44 per game

14-15: 62:44 in 67 games = 0:56 per game

15-16: 0:59 in 43 games = 0:01 per game

Laughton's PK time
14-15: 29:46 in 31 games = 0:57 per game

15-16: 34:21 in 43 games = 0:47 per game

White's PK time
14-15: 12:15 in 34 games = 0:21 per game

15-16: 46:25 in 34 games = 1:21 per game

I'd like to see the Flyers play Laughton more, and add Raffl to the PK rotation.
- MJL

Why Raffl is never used on the PK is absurd. Without question, in my mind, G-Coots-Read-Raffl are the four best defensive or 2 way players on the team. Berube used him a lot more, especially in his first year. And he did well. He has great IQ, instincts, and a quick acceleration to get up on guys. The idea that fourth line grinders are also your PK guys or good ones because they hustle and block shots is just not true.

Why Raffl is never used on the PK is absurd. Without question, in my mind, G-Coots-Read-Raffl are the four best defensive or 2 way players on the team. Berube used him a lot more, especially in his first year. And he did well. He has great IQ, instincts, and a quick acceleration to get up on guys. The idea that fourth line grinders are also your PK guys or good ones because they hustle and block shots is just not true.
- Mononoke

But Rinaldo skates hard...

Sam Carchidi ‏@BroadStBull 2m2 minutes ago

No supplemental discipline for White.
- PLindbergh31

Gudas is absolutely a predatory hitter.
- SuperSchennBros

God I love him

Raffl has a very awkward shot block and got badly injured last year I believe blocking one. It wouldn't shock me to know Lappy or someone on the staff bears this in mind when not utilizing him, because only Stevie Wonder can't see Raffl's defense and IQ is superior to that of White...and VDV...and PEB (he's the only one who of that bunch who actually deserves to kill penalties in my mind).

White can take the faceoff and get off if he's used.

Raffl has a very awkward shot block and got badly injured last year I believe blocking one. It wouldn't shock me to know Lappy or someone on the staff bears this in mind when not utilizing him, because only Stevie Wonder can't see Raffl's defense and IQ is superior to that of White...and VDV...and PEB (he's the only one who of that bunch who actually deserves to kill penalties in my mind).

White can take the faceoff and get off if he's used.
- Mononoke

I think VDV and PEB do a very good job on the PK (especially PEB)

The PP I believe will find its level. They have been generating. The PK just seems broken. There are many reasons why, but using PEB and VDV as your top PK pairing and putting them out at the start of every kill is not a recipe for success. Even if they are adequate, everyone and their mother knows Coots-Read is the best pair. Stats, eyes, whatever. VDV has 25 minutes more 4 on 5 time than Couturier. PEB 15 minutes more. I love that G is now used as a 5th PK man, but the Coots thing is a major contributor to the PK failures. Bergeron has 20 minutes more than any other Bruin. Why? Because he's their best.

I think VDV and PEB do a very good job on the PK (especially PEB)
- jak521

They're OK to me. Edge to PEB for sure. I like him getting time. But I have no issue with them being the second unit, even if Raffl or G are better. But it's a recurring theme where they are given way more minutes than they should be getting. See my post above. In terms of possession and goals, they are OK. Coots and Read are terrific. White is a dumpster fire on the PK due to poor skating and poor sense, but he plays because of "hustle." Look at this if you want; you can change the tabs

http://stats.hockeyanalys...oals&sort=A60&sortdir=ASC

I think it's funny they're trying to erase this one spec of personality at an otherwise sterile tradition. Maybe next they'll cut the breakaway competition, before the humor goes from forced to chuckle inducing.
- BulliesPhan87

undertale

I am sure you guys have seen Kensington and North Philly
- vejim

i have no idea where it is

Raffl has a very awkward shot block and got badly injured last year I believe blocking one. It wouldn't shock me to know Lappy or someone on the staff bears this in mind when not utilizing him, because only Stevie Wonder can't see Raffl's defense and IQ is superior to that of White...and VDV...and PEB (he's the only one who of that bunch who actually deserves to kill penalties in my mind).

White can take the faceoff and get off if he's used.
- Mononoke

Raffl has hurt himself twice in two different seasons blocking a shot. Brayden Schenn broke his foot and missed the first half of the season during his rookie year trying to block a shot on the PK. I think you have to take this into account but if Raffl can change this, he should absolutely be killing penalties.

They're OK to me. Edge to PEB for sure. I like him getting time. But I have no issue with them being the second unit, even if Raffl or G are better. But it's a recurring theme where they are given way more minutes than they should be getting. See my post above. In terms of possession and goals, they are OK. Coots and Read are terrific. White is a dumpster fire on the PK due to poor skating and poor sense, but he plays because of "hustle." Look at this if you want; you can change the tabs

http://stats.hockeyanalys...oals&sort=A60&sortdir=ASC
- Mononoke

Yeah, White's also the worst at SH shot suppression. Making smart defensive reads is not his strength, so there's no good reason for him to be PKing as much as he has while Raffl & Laughton sit and watch.

If Raffl has poor shot blocking technique then maybe the coaches could coach that out of him. That is their job, after all.

The PP I believe will find its level. They have been generating. The PK just seems broken. There are many reasons why, but using PEB and VDV as your top PK pairing and putting them out at the start of every kill is not a recipe for success. Even if they are adequate, everyone and their mother knows Coots-Read is the best pair. Stats, eyes, whatever. VDV has 25 minutes more 4 on 5 time than Couturier. PEB 15 minutes more. I love that G is now used as a 5th PK man, but the Coots thing is a major contributor to the PK failures. Bergeron has 20 minutes more than any other Bruin. Why? Because he's their best.
- Mononoke

Yeah the usage on the PK doesn't seem relevant to anything other than "hustle"

I'd like to see forward pairs of Couturier-Read, then Bellemare-Raffl, then maybe Giroux-VandeVelde. Also not a huge fan of Gudas and Schultz as a pair on the PK. In and of themselves, separated, sure.

Yeah, White's also the worst at SH shot suppression. Making smart defensive reads is not his strength, so there's no good reason for him to be PKing as much as he has while Raffl & Laughton sit and watch.

If Raffl has poor shot blocking technique then maybe the coaches could coach that out of him. That is their job, after all.
- Feanor

Could it be for draws that White gets time on the PK?

Soon

Could it be for draws that White gets time on the PK?
- SuperSchennBros

Over Laughton for sure, and probably to spell Giroux and/or Couturier. Still, he's struggled on the PK, despite his willingness to work hard.

Over Laughton for sure, and probably to spell Giroux and/or Couturier. Still, he's struggled on the PK, despite his willingness to work hard.
- Jsaquella

We never brought up Umberger killing penalties either. He should be capable. We should have a batting order of guys who can play shorthanded.

We never brought up Umberger killing penalties either. He should be capable. We should have a batting order of guys who can play shorthanded.
- SuperSchennBros

Yeah, Umberger can or at least could. I think Voracek would be a good PK guy as well, but like Giroux you don't want to overuse a key offensive guy on PK

Yeah, Umberger can or at least could. I think Voracek would be a good PK guy as well, but like Giroux you don't want to overuse a key offensive guy on PK
- Jsaquella

I agree. I don't want Voracek out there even though I know he can do it.