Sam Hitchcock: Kucherov Clobbers Columbus

On the Lightning power play. The opposing coach can want the defenders to take away space from Point and stop the slot pass to him as well as the seam pass to Stamkos but they can't sustain that over multiple power plays because Point is too good at finding the open ice in between the square or diamond the opposing team has configured into. When Kucherov is on the half wall he has the ability to stretch the defenders with passes down low to (Miller/Palat) or up high to Hedman, as he gets the defenders moving Point is positioning himself in the open area for his shotas the defenders move but if they stay in tight on Point he then positions himself as a decoy almost to try and open the seam pass to Stamkos or allow Kucherov to shoot a wrister. As much as Kucherov runs the PP does goes thru him the reason its so good is because Point is dictating where the defenders will be.

And even scarier thing to me about the PP is like you said they are barely using their net front presence player to apply pressure yet, that player is more a tool used by Kucherov to spread the defenders out. On top of that they haven't been utilizing Hedman much other then allowing Kucherov to pass off if pressure comes at him or to do a double swing to Stamkos or Kucherov for the one timer.

I think the Lightning are with holding quite a few looks and set plays of their power play that utilize the net presence and Hedman at the point because they don't need to do them right now saving them for the playoffs.

With Point the PP is scary good.

On the Lightning power play. The opposing coach can want the defenders to take away space from Point and stop the slot pass to him as well as the seam pass to Stamkos but they can't sustain that over multiple power plays because Point is too good at finding the open ice in between the square or diamond the opposing team has configured into. When Kucherov is on the half wall he has the ability to stretch the defenders with passes down low to (Miller/Palat) or up high to Hedman, as he gets the defenders moving Point is positioning himself in the open area for his shotas the defenders move but if they stay in tight on Point he then positions himself as a decoy almost to try and open the seam pass to Stamkos or allow Kucherov to shoot a wrister. As much as Kucherov runs the PP does goes thru him the reason its so good is because Point is dictating where the defenders will be.

And even scarier thing to me about the PP is like you said they are barely using their net front presence player to apply pressure yet, that player is more a tool used by Kucherov to spread the defenders out. On top of that they haven't been utilizing Hedman much other then allowing Kucherov to pass off if pressure comes at him or to do a double swing to Stamkos or Kucherov for the one timer.

I think the Lightning are with holding quite a few looks and set plays of their power play that utilize the net presence and Hedman at the point because they don't need to do them right now saving them for the playoffs.

With Point the PP is scary good.
- stammerman

You may be right, but man thats two long a** sentences

On the Lightning power play. The opposing coach can want the defenders to take away space from Point and stop the slot pass to him as well as the seam pass to Stamkos but they can't sustain that over multiple power plays because Point is too good at finding the open ice in between the square or diamond the opposing team has configured into. When Kucherov is on the half wall he has the ability to stretch the defenders with passes down low to (Miller/Palat) or up high to Hedman, as he gets the defenders moving Point is positioning himself in the open area for his shotas the defenders move but if they stay in tight on Point he then positions himself as a decoy almost to try and open the seam pass to Stamkos or allow Kucherov to shoot a wrister. As much as Kucherov runs the PP does goes thru him the reason its so good is because Point is dictating where the defenders will be.

And even scarier thing to me about the PP is like you said they are barely using their net front presence player to apply pressure yet, that player is more a tool used by Kucherov to spread the defenders out. On top of that they haven't been utilizing Hedman much other then allowing Kucherov to pass off if pressure comes at him or to do a double swing to Stamkos or Kucherov for the one timer.

I think the Lightning are with holding quite a few looks and set plays of their power play that utilize the net presence and Hedman at the point because they don't need to do them right now saving them for the playoffs.

With Point the PP is scary good.
- stammerman

Simmonds and a 3rd for Erne and a 2nd

- Feds91Stammer

Thats fine.

Simmonds and a 3rd for Erne and a 2nd
- Just5

So Tampa gets a worse pick and player? Seems legit.

You may be right, but man thats two long a** sentences
- Cloud

LOL

Here we go in shorter form:

Point dictates where the defenders will be in their square or diamond setup by his positioning and movement while Kucherov at the half wall works the puck down low and up high, eventually the defenders stretch out by the puck movement or Points movement leaving Point open or they condense down on him leaving the seam pass to Stamkos or a Kucherov wrister.

In summary:
Even if the opposing coach wants his defenders to take away Point or Stamkos its easier said then done!


That better?

EDIT: Forgot to add - I think there a lot of wrinkles to the PP using the net front presence or Hedman that that they are not showing as there is no need right now. Save that stuff for the playoffs.

Simmonds and a 3rd for Erne and a 2nd
- Just5

No thanks. I'm pretty sure Erne is as good as Simmonds, probably even better at this point and in the future.

No thanks. I'm pretty sure Erne is as good as Simmonds, maybe even better.
- jvar17

And younger as well as under team control for 3 more years.

No thanks. I'm pretty sure Erne is as good as Simmonds, probably even better at this point and in the future.
- jvar17

Yea but muscle you need. And leadership. And heart. Do it. Do it

Yea but muscle you need. And leadership. And heart. Do it. Do it
- Just5

Erne has 30lbs on Simmonds and Simmonds provides zero leadership. You tried. Log off for the day.

Yea but muscle you need. And leadership. And Hart. Do it. Do it
- Just5

Sure, we already have a decent goalie but thats a fair trade

Erne has 30lbs on Simmonds and Simmonds provides zero leadership. You tried. Log off for the day.
- Feds91Stammer

I don't want Simmonds but I don't see how you can say he provides zero leadership. He was nominated last year for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. There is a line of players out the door and around the block that says he is a great leader and great locker room presence. Joe Smith of the athletic just wrote an article about it.

Vinny Lecavalier:
“Oh, he’d be a great fit. He’s one of those guys, he’s got the grit, he can score, he’s a great power-play guy, great leader."


Knock the man for his stat line but the dude is a proven leader.

I don't want Simmonds but I don't see how you can say he provides zero leadership. He was nominated last year for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. There is a line of players out the door and around the block that says he is a great leader and great locker room presence. Joe Smith of the athletic just wrote an article about it.

Vinny Lecavalier:
“Oh, he’d be a great fit. He’s one of those guys, he’s got the grit, he can score, he’s a great power-play guy, great leader."


Knock the man for his stat line but the dude is a proven leader.
- LightningMcKing

What makes him a great leader? His inability to have playoff success?

What makes him a great leader? His inability to have playoff success?
- Feds91Stammer

Are you really suggesting that he has zero leadership skills because of his teams playoff record?

Are you really suggesting that he has zero leadership skills because of his teams playoff record?
- LightningMcKing

I am questioning what evidence makes him a great leader.

I am questioning what evidence makes him a great leader.
- Feds91Stammer

What form of evidence would you like? I can offer material recognition, vote of confidence and personal endorsement:

Last year he was nominated for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.

He's been a team voted alternate captain for 5 years.

There are an abundance of his former and current teammates along with opposing players that have praised him for his leadership skills.

What form of evidence would you like? I can offer material recognition, vote of confidence and personal endorsement:

Last year he was nominated for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.

He's been a team voted alternate captain for 5 years.

There are an abundance of his former and current teammates along with opposing players that have praised him for his leadership skills.
- LightningMcKing

And how has that helped his teams?

And how does these supposed leadership abilities help a team with plenty of veterans?

And how has that helped his teams?

And how does these supposed leadership abilities help a team with plenty of veterans?
- Feds91Stammer

How does leadership skills help a team.....you haven't played sports before have you?


I never said Simmond's proven, leadership abilities would help or outweigh the proposed cost for the Lightning (in this case) to acquire him.

How does leadership skills help a team.....you haven't played sports before have you?


I never said Simmond's proven, leadership abilities would help or outweigh the proposed cost for the Lightning (in this case) to acquire him.
- LightningMcKing

Never in my life

Never in my life
- Feds91Stammer

Alright then. I will take the word of the players and coaches that have played with and against him on whether or not Wayne Simmonds provides "zero leadership" or not.

Alright then. I will take the word of the players and coaches that have played with and against him on whether or not Wayne Simmonds provides "zero leadership" or not.
- LightningMcKing

Have you ever been in an NHL locker room though?

Have you ever been in an NHL locker room though?
- Feds91Stammer

No, but my sources have