Sean Maloughney: The Oilers Should Change Their Top PP Unit

They have the horses to put together two exceptional units. I would focus on building a second unit that allowed the first unit to play 1 minute or less on each PP. Why waste those guys on the bench?

They have the horses to put together two exceptional units. I would focus on building a second unit that allowed the first unit to play 1 minute or less on each PP. Why waste those guys on the bench?
- OilyJay

Very true. My only issue with the second unit is especially with McLeod gone, they lack a strong playmaking centre. Henrique is serviceable but lacks real foot speed.

I would 100% break up the #1 unit and use two balanced units. Will mean less points for McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Bouchard. But you play the long game and keep guys more rested for when it matters.

First unit - McDavid, Skinner, RNH, Kane, Bouchard

Second unit - Draisaitl, Arvidsson, Hyman, Holloway, Broberg

Spread the wealth. Commit to this and don't overreact to any struggles. Insert Henrique over Holloway if needed. In a game 7 situation, you can load up the old #1 unit. It's not like they are going to forget their chemistry.

Maybe a new video coach would help.

Very true. My only issue with the second unit is especially with McLeod gone, they lack a strong playmaking centre. Henrique is serviceable but lacks real foot speed.
- freelancer

Mobility isn't as critical on the PP as more time is spent relatively static in the O Zone compared to ES/PK. Also why aging players tend to remain effective longer on the PP relative to elsewhere. And with that, it's why few (any?) coaches split their top talent across two units as the first unit usually gets an overwhelming amount of the TOI. Especially with a team that has had arguably the best PP unit in the league.

Sean Maloughney: The Oilers Should Change Their Top PP Unit
- freelancer

No, no they shouldn't. If you want to give the second unit more time, all good, but I don't see much value in changing up the top unit.

Mobility isn't as critical on the PP as more time is spent relatively static in the O Zone compared to ES/PK. Also why aging players tend to remain effective longer on the PP relative to elsewhere. And with that, it's why few (any?) coaches split their top talent across two units as the first unit usually gets an overwhelming amount of the TOI. Especially with a team that has had arguably the best PP unit in the league.
- jfkst1

Mobility itself isn’t the concern but zone entries. Henrique is still a useful player but he isn’t exactly a spring chicken and shouldn’t be counted on as the guy to get the puck into the zone on the second unit. Despite many of his issues, that was one thing McLeod was highly effective at.

It may not be RNH but the coaching staff will need to find something else that works if they want a second unit that is actually going to play some minutes.

Mobility itself isn’t the concern but zone entries. Henrique is still a useful player but he isn’t exactly a spring chicken and shouldn’t be counted on as the guy to get the puck into the zone on the second unit. Despite many of his issues, that was one thing McLeod was highly effective at.

It may not be RNH but the coaching staff will need to find something else that works if they want a second unit that is actually going to play some minutes.
- freelancer

See above. Break up McDrai and you have no issue with zone entries. The goal is to manage minutes. The PP success will diminish. So will wins. Personal points. Hyman might not break 25 goals. But the payoff is being more rested for the playoffs.

See above. Break up McDrai and you have no issue with zone entries. The goal is to manage minutes. The PP success will diminish. So will wins. Personal points. Hyman might not break 25 goals. But the payoff is being more rested for the playoffs.
- HockeyBuzzed

PP minutes are by far the easiest. Makes no sense to manage TOI by reducing PP time. No coach is going to willingly reduce their PP efficacy by hoping it yields positive long term outcomes. McDavid played the most in the regular season and postseason and was the best in the playoffs with no signs of fatigue.

Zach Hyman

You two-spirit questioning queer boys in BC are a special breed.
-JLO961


No idea how this guy is still allowed to post on here when I see folks get banned for apparently ‘trolling’ other teams by posting negative sarcastic comments.

This site condones women/gay bashers but not sarcasm?

You two-spirit questioning queer boys in BC are a special breed.
-JLO961


No idea how this guy is still allowed to post on here when I see folks get banned for apparently ‘trolling’ other teams by posting negative sarcastic comments.

This site condones women/gay bashers but not sarcasm?
- Big23Questions

The way I see it is that Bouchard is a "shoot first" mentality point man on the PP. His passing, while improving, is FAR from elite level. It's always great to have that big bomb available from the point on the PP, but Bouchard on that right point resulted in two things
1. More goals for Hyman
2. Less goals for Draisaitl

This is because Bouchard's passes are not usually in Drai's wheelhouse where he'd like it, and where he blasts it into the cage. Barrie got that puck to Draisaitl where he wanted it, even Nurse was decent at this.

With Bouchard electing to shoot more often, and with Draisaitl's shots not going in (i.e. the play continues), Hyman has a lot more chances around the crease to knock in garbage goals.

BOTH powerplay structures work, but if people are expecting Draisaitl to get back to his preferred level of PP goals, he'll need a d-man that can get him the puck where he wants it.

I don't think we have a dman that can get that pass down to Leon right on his tape for that one-timer, so the current setup is likely the best. Maybe a fwd on that point can get him the puck better/more often. Seriously though, Bouchard's bomb is a legit weapon and Leon can just f9n move around a bit, haha.

The mental connection between Conner and Leon is too strong though to split them up on the PP, in my opinion.

"an embarassment of riches"

They way I see it is that Bouchard is a "shoot first" mentality point man on the PP. His passing, while improving, is FAR from elite level. It's always great to have that big bomb available from the point on the PP, but Bouchard on that right point resulted in two things
1. More goals for Hyman
2. Less goals for Draisaitl

This is because Bouchard's passes are not usually in Drai's wheelhouse where he'd like it, and where he blasts it into the cage. Barrie got that puck to Draisaitl where he wanted it, even Nurse was decent at this.

With Bouchard electing to shoot more often, and with Draisaitl's shots not going in (i.e. the play continues), Hyman has a lot more chances around the crease to knock in garbage goals.

BOTH powerplay structures work, but if people are expecting Draisaitl to get back to his preferred level of PP goals, he'll need a d-man that can get him the puck where he wants it.

I don't think we have a dman that can get that pass down to Leon right on his tape for that one-timer, so the current setup is likely the best. Maybe a fwd on that point can get him the puck better/more often. Seriously though, Bouchard's bomb is a legit weapon and Leon can just f9n move around a bit, haha.

The mental connection between Conner and Leon is too strong though to split them up on the PP, in my opinion.

"an embarassment of riches"
- JLO961

Drai had 21 PP goals (of his 41) this year, Hyman only had 15 (of his 54). And Drai's one-timer is usually off a dish from McD, or a cross-ice from Nuge on the opposite side, not from the point. IMO, Drai's goal reduction primarily comes from the fact that he mostly runs his own line now at regular strength, and he is rarely out there with McD 5 on 5. Team is much better off with the two apart, even if Drai's points take a bit of a hit.

Drai had 21 PP goals (of his 41) this year, Hyman only had 15 (of his 54). And Drai's one-timer is usually off a dish from McD, or a cross-ice from Nuge on the opposite side, not from the point. IMO, Drai's goal reduction primarily comes from the fact that he mostly runs his own line now at regular strength, and he is rarely out there with McD 5 on 5. Team is much better off with the two apart, even if Drai's points take a bit of a hit.
- Beergu

I don't disagree with this at all, but he's still down 10or12 PPGs this year and I think Hyman and others picked up the slack by pounding in goals in close. I see Bouch missing his passes slightly when he gives it to Drai but mostly I think it's because he elects to shoot it.

I like McD dishing to Drai over there on the PP though, which still happens, I was just pointing out that the 10or12 PPGs Draisaitl is missing from last year is likely from the new structure and a few less efficient passes.

again, they've got so many options.

I don't disagree with this at all, but he's still down 10or12 PPGs this year and I think Hyman and others picked up the slack by pounding in goals in close. I see Bouch missing his passes slightly when he gives it to Drai but mostly I think it's because he elects to shoot it.

I like McD dishing to Drai over there on the PP though, which still happens, I was just pointing out that the 10or12 PPGs Draisaitl is missing from last year is likely from the new structure and a few less efficient passes.

again, they've got so many options.
- JLO961

Why do you have a picture of Pat Sajak as an avatar?

Why do you have a picture of Pat Sajak as an avatar?
- Marwood

T R _ _ _E R
A Liberal Reaction

Can u Solve the puzzle?

T R _ _ _E R
A Liberal Reaction

Can u Solve the puzzle?
- JLO961

“US Politics define you eh buds.”

-Zach Hyman

“US Politics define you eh buds.”

-Zach Hyman
- Big23Questions

Hey, you solved the puzzle without even knowing it.
Look at you!

Hey, you solved the puzzle without even knowing it.
Look at you!
- JLO961

You two-spirit questioning queer boys in BC are a special breed.
-JLO961

You two-spirit questioning queer boys in BC are a special breed.
-JLO961


No idea how this guy is still allowed to post on here when I see folks get banned for apparently ‘trolling’ other teams by posting negative sarcastic comments.

This site condones women/gay bashers but not sarcasm?
- Big23Questions

Thin skinned snowflakes like you and Oilerking should close up shop and move over to Sportsnet or Oilersnation.

You've had an account 6 years and don't know how it is here?

Members like you 2 ruin this site.

This is exactly what a queer boy would say
- Big23Questions

Hopefully you are flagged for being a homophobic troll.

Hopefully you are flagged for being a homophobic troll.
- Donald Twain

That’s the test I’m running

You and Oildrum eh - you lefty lollipops are such snowflakes

You two-spirit questioning queer boys in BC are a special breed.
-JLO961
- Big23Questions

It’s free speech, though. It’s offensive but it’s still free speech. Do you ask for a mod when you travel through Belmont or Franklin Park? No, you just don’t go there. Give it a rest.