Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks leave point on the table in penalty-filled game vs Flyers The Vancouver Canucks squandered a 4-3 lead and a season-high eight power-play opportunities when they left Philadelphia after a 5-4 shootout loss to the Flyers on Thursday night.

Crazy game last night. Love your work, Carol. Canuck blogs are in good hands.

Amazing Work, as usual! Thanks Carol!

Willie D says the twins have been good for a long time on the PP, so Botchford must be wrong....right?

From last blog
Today @ 3:34 PM ET
Yeah I was only responding to the crap about PP icetime.

As for the units I dont know what to do, there are pieces to the puzzle but I couldnt think of anything that would be effective, there just arent enough shooting threats.

No point putting Tree in front, as some have suggested, because most importantly a lot of the shots get blocked well before a screen is useful. I also dont think he would be quick on puck recovery

Bo: I cant figure out if he is a half-wall guy, slot guy or goal line guy. Probably would be good at all spots, but the lack of RH playmakers or shooters to work with him make me feel like it wouldnt be any more productive.

Sven, Sutter, Eriksson, Sedins, all have some strengths and weaknesses but the combinations dont seem to work well enough to produce multiple options on the PP IMO
- WhiteLie

To change the culture of this powerplay you need to keep the Sedins off of it. Really don't care what 5 guys you go with after that...and let them find their own way. The vaunted Sedin starfish formation ( everyone spread out and get as far from the goalie as you can ) is dead. No one falls for it anymore. Hasn't for three years. I watched a lot of what Philly did on the pp and found it interesting. They by an large worked with a net front presence and one shooter at the point. Then three guys in the middle. One at each face off dot and a guy in the slot.as soon as a puck went to the net they had a numbers advantage in the red zone. Not super fancy...but it was effective. After 15years of the starfish it's time for bold moves

VANTEL
Vancouver Canucks


Location: Lemmingville
Joined: 07.03.2010






Today @ 3:27 PM ET  



It must piss Crosby off that Ovechkin got there first
- LeftCoaster



It is almost like when Don beat you in the hockey pool

That really did piss me off

Damn goaltending is my downfall....but I'm too cheap to acquire one!!
- LeftCoaster

I didn't even try Lefty

VANTEL
Vancouver Canucks


Location: Lemmingville
Joined: 07.03.2010






Today @ 3:27 PM ET  



It must piss Crosby off that Ovechkin got there first
- LeftCoaster



It is almost like when Don beat you in the hockey pool






I didn't even try Lefty
- CanuckDon

Some guys are just lucky, you fall squarely into that category my friend

Thanks Carol. You are right the slip and sliding will go on. Canucks were behind the eight ball anyway. So missing these opportunities on the road now will sink them back to trading spots with the Jets for third worst in the conference. Injuries aside there doesn't seem to be enough in the tank to make a real push for a playoff spot. Whether or not WD is optimizing his use of players etc. it's a forgone conclusion now.

It's an uphill climb with a bridge too far scenario don't you think? So is fan frustration for trying to make moves at the TDL justified? Or has management learned to play this differently this time and surprise everyone

Thanks Carol!

Sorta reply to Bullfrog:

I wouldnt be opposed to prioritizing another unit without the Sedins, but I think my point still stands that the team lacks RH skill. Even though they were brutal along that period mention in the blog, in 2014-2015 they were 18% and 11th in the league. And I dont think its a coincidence that it was Vrbata's first season here. In the prime PP years they have Kesler and Salo as those RH threats.

I think even if you have a PP lineup of Bo, Sven, etc. the only RH forward options are: Dorsett, Hansen, Megna, Skille and Sutter. On D its Stecher, Gudbranson, Biega, Tanev and Larsen. The D arent bad, but its a group lacking a lot of skill IMO

From last blog
Today @ 3:34 PM ET
Yeah I was only responding to the crap about PP icetime.

As for the units I dont know what to do, there are pieces to the puzzle but I couldnt think of anything that would be effective, there just arent enough shooting threats.

No point putting Tree in front, as some have suggested, because most importantly a lot of the shots get blocked well before a screen is useful. I also dont think he would be quick on puck recovery

Bo: I cant figure out if he is a half-wall guy, slot guy or goal line guy. Probably would be good at all spots, but the lack of RH playmakers or shooters to work with him make me feel like it wouldnt be any more productive.

Sven, Sutter, Eriksson, Sedins, all have some strengths and weaknesses but the combinations dont seem to work well enough to produce multiple options on the PP IMO
- WhiteLie

To change the culture of this powerplay you need to keep the Sedins off of it. Really don't care what 5 guys you go with after that...and let them find their own way. The vaunted Sedin starfish formation ( everyone spread out and get as far from the goalie as you can ) is dead. No one falls for it anymore. Hasn't for three years. I watched a lot of what Philly did on the pp and found it interesting. They by an large worked with a net front presence and one shooter at the point. Then three guys in the middle. One at each face off dot and a guy in the slot.as soon as a puck went to the net they had a numbers advantage in the red zone. Not super fancy...but it was effective. After 15years of the starfish it's time for bold moves
- Bullfrog77

I think they need more talented players pushing the Sedins aside before you can just flatout say you're not playing the PP anymore. That's not going to happen until then.

Daniel has 24 points, 9 of which are from the PP, Henrik has 27 points, again 9 of which are on the PP. Not sure what their total ice-time on the PP is but I suspect it's up there at the top. But really, who are the other choices if you sit them, you don't have anyone.

From last blog
Today @ 3:34 PM ET
Yeah I was only responding to the crap about PP icetime.

As for the units I dont know what to do, there are pieces to the puzzle but I couldnt think of anything that would be effective, there just arent enough shooting threats.

No point putting Tree in front, as some have suggested, because most importantly a lot of the shots get blocked well before a screen is useful. I also dont think he would be quick on puck recovery

Bo: I cant figure out if he is a half-wall guy, slot guy or goal line guy. Probably would be good at all spots, but the lack of RH playmakers or shooters to work with him make me feel like it wouldnt be any more productive.

Sven, Sutter, Eriksson, Sedins, all have some strengths and weaknesses but the combinations dont seem to work well enough to produce multiple options on the PP IMO
- WhiteLie

To change the culture of this powerplay you need to keep the Sedins off of it. Really don't care what 5 guys you go with after that...and let them find their own way. The vaunted Sedin starfish formation ( everyone spread out and get as far from the goalie as you can ) is dead. No one falls for it anymore. Hasn't for three years. I watched a lot of what Philly did on the pp and found it interesting. They by an large worked with a net front presence and one shooter at the point. Then three guys in the middle. One at each face off dot and a guy in the slot.as soon as a puck went to the net they had a numbers advantage in the red zone. Not super fancy...but it was effective. After 15years of the starfish it's time for bold moves
- Bullfrog77

Changes are needed at this point the strategy hasn't changed much other then changing blue liners from PL, to Stecher to Edler. None of them have the big, dangerous shot from the point. Elder's has left him plus he can't get it off too. But he's not a right hand shot. That's the biggest issue which you have seen. Wether it's Bo, Sedins they can't feed anyone with this strategy without big right hand shot.

From last blog
Today @ 3:34 PM ET
Yeah I was only responding to the crap about PP icetime.

As for the units I dont know what to do, there are pieces to the puzzle but I couldnt think of anything that would be effective, there just arent enough shooting threats.

No point putting Tree in front, as some have suggested, because most importantly a lot of the shots get blocked well before a screen is useful. I also dont think he would be quick on puck recovery

Bo: I cant figure out if he is a half-wall guy, slot guy or goal line guy. Probably would be good at all spots, but the lack of RH playmakers or shooters to work with him make me feel like it wouldnt be any more productive.

Sven, Sutter, Eriksson, Sedins, all have some strengths and weaknesses but the combinations dont seem to work well enough to produce multiple options on the PP IMO
- WhiteLie

To change the culture of this powerplay you need to keep the Sedins off of it. Really don't care what 5 guys you go with after that...and let them find their own way. The vaunted Sedin starfish formation ( everyone spread out and get as far from the goalie as you can ) is dead. No one falls for it anymore. Hasn't for three years. I watched a lot of what Philly did on the pp and found it interesting. They by an large worked with a net front presence and one shooter at the point. Then three guys in the middle. One at each face off dot and a guy in the slot.as soon as a puck went to the net they had a numbers advantage in the red zone. Not super fancy...but it was effective. After 15years of the starfish it's time for bold moves
- Bullfrog77

Spot on observation.
I don't think opposing teams worry too much about playing a physical game against the Canucks. I mean, what's the worst that could happen, we get a power play?

https://twitter.com/NHLvi...status/818997425138495488


Erikssons shoot out attempt

Thanks Carol!

Sorta reply to Bullfrog:

I wouldnt be opposed to prioritizing another unit without the Sedins, but I think my point still stands that the team lacks RH skill. Even though they were brutal along that period mention in the blog, in 2014-2015 they were 18% and 11th in the league. And I dont think its a coincidence that it was Vrbata's first season here. In the prime PP years they have Kesler and Salo as those RH threats.

I think even if you have a PP lineup of Bo, Sven, etc. the only RH forward options are: Dorsett, Hansen, Megna, Skille and Sutter. On D its Stecher, Gudbranson, Biega, Tanev and Larsen. The D arent bad, but its a group lacking a lot of skill IMO
- WhiteLie

I see we were on the same page in answering this PP issue with RH problem. I would say the skill sets now are different requiring a whole new change in stratgey and player groupings.

I think they need more talented players pushing the Sedins aside before you can just flatout say you're not playing the PP anymore. That's not going to happen until then.

Daniel has 24 points, 9 of which are from the PP, Henrik has 27 points, again 9 of which are on the PP. Not sure what their total ice-time on the PP is but I suspect it's up there at the top. But really, who are the other choices if you sit them, you don't have anyone.
- LeftCoaster

Horvat and Baertschi are the top scorers on the team. They should be the first unit power play.

But I agree with Bullfrog, the PP is stagnant. Same moves and positioning for years. Again, doing the same things over and over unsuccessfully and hoping for a different result.

I 100% completely forgot about Larsen...

Horvat and Baertschi are the top scorers on the team. They should be the first unit power play.

But I agree with Bullfrog, the PP is stagnant. Same moves and positioning for years. Again, doing the same things over and over unsuccessfully and hoping for a different result.
- we_are_all_canucks

You think they could use the practice time during this homestand to try something completely different then just trying to perfect what's not working

Horvat and Baertschi are the top scorers on the team. They should be the first unit power play.

But I agree with Bullfrog, the PP is stagnant. Same moves and positioning for years. Again, doing the same things over and over unsuccessfully and hoping for a different result.
- we_are_all_canucks

To me it just simply points to the lack of offensive talent on the team. If you're putting Horvat, Baertschi and Eriksson on the first unit, and you don't want to use the Sedins, what are your choices for the second unit? Sutter, Grandlund and ?

You need a player with good puck distribution skills, both Henrik and Daniel are good at this, I suppose you could split them up and make them the half-wall set up guys?

I 100% completely forgot about Larsen...
- djlarose

Hey are you the part time scout I met on Mount Snow?
Got a prospect update

I see we were on the same page in answering this PP issue with RH problem. I would say the skill sets now are different requiring a whole new change in stratgey and player groupings.
- Nuck4U

Thats kinda where I was going in that there are decent pieces with skill but the puzzle is a tough one to solve as there are only so many plays/options when your threats are LH, its easy for teams to figure out who to focus on to stifle a powerplay

I 100% completely forgot about Larsen...
- djlarose

I had too

Horvat and Baertschi are the top scorers on the team. They should be the first unit power play.

But I agree with Bullfrog, the PP is stagnant. Same moves and positioning for years. Again, doing the same things over and over unsuccessfully and hoping for a different result.
- we_are_all_canucks

Sven is on PP1 as the weakside point. Problem being that hes LH so while he gets passes occasionally, he isnt a one-time threat.

I'd like to see him be the half-wall guy again. His confidence is higher, and he does distribute the puck well. I just dont know who he could really pass to on a set play from there, other than the point

Did the Hutton injury mess up a trade?

Just something I found interesting, while researching, there's only 58 guys, with more than 200 NHL games, with a PPG average of 1.0 or above in league history. Damn it's hard to score in the NHL!!!

Thats kinda where I was going in that there are decent pieces with skill but the puzzle is a tough one to solve as there are only so many plays/options when your threats are LH, its easy for teams to figure out who to focus on to stifle a powerplay
- WhiteLie

Totally. It's been brought up by you and Dragon the PP strategy hasn't changed since the AV days. Many others like Bullfrog WeAre etc. want change too. We blame the Sedins but that's what they know until someone takes charge and starts a new plan and alter the personnel accordingly.