Ryan Jones is going to have a helluva time getting even strength minutes for this hockey team. Injuries will no doubt impact his playing time, but Jones is in tough (on either wing) based on the men who play his position for the Oilers.
EVEN STRENGTH TOI/G & 5X5/PTS 60
- Jordan Eberle 14:27/1.79
- Ales Hemsky 14:16/2.88
- Linus Omark 12:42/1.78
- Ryan Jones 10:52/1.38
I should mention Gilbert Brule here. I'm not going to list him because frankly I don't know that the Oilers can count on him for 11-12. There were times this past season where the team was shorthanded due to injuries and at the last minute Eberle was unable to play. I think it's a very difficult injury to deal with for everyone, and that the club will err on the side of caution. Meaning? I think he might be a candidate for LTIR until completely recovered, and it's anyone's guess as to when that might happen.
PK TOI/G
- Ryan Jones 2:07
- Ales Hemsky 0:47
- Jordan Eberle 0:40
PP TOI/G and 5x4/60
- Ales Hemsky 3:13/3.47
- Linus Omark 2:38/3.35
- Jordan Eberle 2:32/3.92
- Ryan Jones 0:50/3.63
•06-07 5x4 per 60m: 5.45
•07-08 5x4 per 60m: 5.93
•08-09 5x4 per 60m: 5.00
•09-10 5x4 per 60m: 4.71
•10-11 5x4 per 60m: 3.47
I think the Oilers will have Hemsky on the #1 PP but that both Omark and Eberle will get significant time. If we can agree that the six most skilled forwards in 11-12 will be Hemsky, Eberle, Omark, Hall, Smyth, Gagner then those players should be on the ice most often (RNH will be the other center, suspect he'll get quite the push if he shows any kind of acumen; I think the 6 listed here would represent the best chance to score with the man advantage).
Right wing is a key offensive position for the Edmonton Oilers this season.
With that as the backdrop, which of the three "PP quarterbacks" (I'll count Hemsky, Omark and Gagner) would you consider most worthy of #1PP time? Or should it be two? All three? What about RNH? Who would shoot the puck?
LT et al:
ReplyDeleteFor all of you who watched the pisscutters in the playoffs this year, their bread and butter on the PP was making very good passes until the opponents D/Goalie was out of position on a shooting lane, at which point one of them would get a good look and shoot.
If there were one skill I would suggest the Oilers really need to be bringing into the lockeroom/coaching staff it would be teach players both how to create that kind of movement on the part of defenders, but also how to see recognize when one of those shooting lanes is opening.
If you've got 3 sublime passers out on the ice, you don't need to have a sniper on the pp - eventually the PK will make a mistake and leave you an open cage. All you need to make this happen is to keep control of the puck.
I know - easier said than done...
I think Omark has the ability to be a real force on the powerplay. Whilst the numbers don't look great, by eye he was very creative and forcing movement, something which the Oilers haven't been great at. That said, I think Hemsky takes too much flack for his contribution to the PP; the reason everything goes through him is that he was the only darn option we had. Now he has more to work with I think we'll see his numbers back where they should be.
ReplyDeleteEasyOil
Hemsky and Omark need to be on different PP units. That being said, it really isn't rocket science. Park Smyth in front of the net, and tell the players to keep moving, looking for a pass and an open lane to shoot. Part of the problem has been winning the offensive zone faceoff, but that should be better this year.
ReplyDeleteGiven the forward depth on this team compared to the defensive depth (see: "lack there-of") I think the Oilers really need to run 4 forwards + 1 D. Paajarvi would be someone who'd I'd select to be at the point because of how well I think he sees the game and because he's got a solid shot when he chooses to get it off.
ReplyDeleteAnother option on the point... Hall. Again, Hall has a great quick release shot and will always be a threat to move in if you give him an opening. Opposing forwards will need to respect his ability and play him a little tighter than they would, say, Gilbert. This pulls the PK forward a couple more feet towards the blue line, opening up the middle of the ice for some slick Omark / Hemsky passes.
In terms of pure physical tool kit, emsky has always been an eminently suitable candidate for PK duty, as well as a heavier overall TOI load.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of application and motivation, well, I'm not in the locker room.
Hmmm... would you overload one Powerplay group even if it leaves the second a fair bit weaker?
ReplyDelete1) Horcoff - Hemsky - Smyth - Hall - Whitney --> Horcoff takes the draw and then drops down to the low-corner. Hemsky takes the half-boards. Smyth takes the front of the net. Whitney is your puck-distributing defenseman. Hall gives you a ton of options with the 2nd point. If Hall sees an opening and drops down (like finding the lane in basketball), he and Smyth crash the net and one of Hemsky / Horcoff slide back to the point before they reset. Hall is also your guy for the far-side one-timer feed from Hemsky.
2) Gagner - Omark - Eberle - Paajarvi - Barker (perhaps replaced by Petry if Barker doesn't pan out) --> This group is decidedly weaker. Eberle takes the net, Gagner is down low and Omark takes the half-boards. Paajarvi is your puck-distributing D and Barker is your shot. It could work... but Omark would be the one making / breaking it. If doesn't make it work, maybe put in Hartikainen instead and have Gagner play the half-boards, Eberle down low, Harti in front.
Thoughts?
Wheatnoil: you have the PP unit numbers incorrect.
ReplyDeleteOmark and Hemsky need to play on the same line 5v4 so that Hemsky gets a shooting role. He can be a scorer if you place him correctly.
ReplyDeleteMPS not getting enough respect once again. Liked what he brought when teamed up with Omark.
ReplyDeleteOh to have a true PP C that could win a faceoff. Right now Horcoff gets that spot by default. Smyth moves in I'd think but ranking him a more "skilled" LW than MPS? Probably not by the end of the year.
Probably ends up Smyth/Hall, Horcoff, Hemsky #1 and Smyth/Hall, Gagner, Eberle #2 but Hall, RNH, Hemsky/Eberle has a much sweeter ring to it down the road.
Nice to have some options for a change but those will get narrowed down with the inevitable rash of Oiler injuries of course. Sorry to be a downer.
Now, about that big, scoring, faceoff winning centre option? Surely they grow on trees.
Who would shoot the puck?
ReplyDeleteI've been saying this team more shooters and less passers for some time. I was yellin for a sniper at 31.
Biggest problem with the PP is lack of foot movement, but this one is a close second. Other than Barker, there really isn't a shot from the blue-liners either.
Pre-season analysis: "A full season by the still young Ales Hemsky, along with a step forward from Jordan Eberle and a full season of Linus Omark establishing himself as a potent offensive player sounds like fun."
ReplyDeletePost-season analysis: Another injury-filled season by the aging Ales Hemsky, along with a sophomore jinx by Jordan Eberle and a yo-yo season of Linus Omark establishing himself as a former prospect was not fun.
Hemsky can shoot the puck as good as anyone on this team, but he doesn't seem to see it that way for some reason.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, a thousand thank yous to Tambellini for not trading the Pardubice Prince. I enjoy watching players of his ilk a lot more than a team full of grinders grinding their way through the season. Lots of talent bubbling under too. This is going to be a fun team to watch, but should finish with a top 10 pick due to problems on D and questions in goal.
In that vein, I was wondering after the cogs trade if this team was really much better than it was last year. The internet seems to think so, and I think so too, but for different reasons.
We have Belanger with face off talent, but lost a lot of PK speed. Many here will say better to have the face off on the PK than speed. It will be interesting to see just how well Belanger does on faceoffs since they don't occur in a vacuum, and so much depends on your wingers in the circle. A lot of the Oilers faceoff woes have to do with the supporting cast as much as they do with the centermen. Those who have played will know what I mean.
After that what have we really done? A big, slow defenseman for Foster? As much as Foster was bad last year, Sutton is not a big upgrade and might be worse. He may be a leading candidate as the goat of this year's team. Probably a lateral move at best.
Cam Barker is a huge question mark for a lot of reasons. Can he be better than JVM? Probably a lateral move, maybe worse.
We got an aging winger for nothing who will help with team morale and offense a little in Smyth, so I think that can be said as a definite upgrade.
After that though, I don't see much. However, the Kids are a year older, and some may be ready to take a big step, especially Dubnyk. This alone should get us out of DFL and somewhere 20-30 (about 10-12th in the Western Conference), but I won't be heaping any praise on these summer moves for that improvement. It will be full marks to the kids. Tambellini could have done nothing but sign JVM to a free agent contract and I suspect the result would be the same.
The exciting thing about kids is sometimes they reach well beyond expectations, so there is always the outside chance that with a little health and luck, this team could challenge for a playoff spot. A long shot, but at least a shot which is more we can say for the last three years.
Bill Needle: I'll take that bet.
ReplyDeleteHemsky also had a monster 5v5 on ice sh%. It is unsustainably high and we will see a decline in those numbers.
ReplyDeleteHowever that must get offset by increase in production on the PP.
I like the idea of hall on the point, model his role something similar to sakic's on the point for the colorado powerplay, or Richards' role on the TB/Dal powerplay. Neither had a booming one timer but nobody can argue they weren't part of effective PP units.
ReplyDeleteHemsky has always been pass first, shoot second. Looking at his shots per game the last 6 seasons, last years average was his lowest since 06/07 (2.12 SPG in 10/11, 1.90 SPG then).
ReplyDeleteThis was also down from his average 3 previous 3 seasons - roughly 2.5.
And when you compare Hemsky's shots per game to guys like Iginla, Daniel Sedin or even Kesler, he's 1.5 to 2 shots per game below that. But his shooting percentage is on par.
Obviously with a healthy shoulder, it's reasonable to think his scoring will pick up. Righ now, he's our most creative offensive weapon while Hall has the potential to be our most prolific scorer.
Pairing Hemsky w/Omark on the PP - or even the kid might encourage him to shoot more, score more. Nothing wrong with that.
Wouldn't pair him w/Gagner as the both seem to want to play from the same spot and the PP stagnated.
Lowetide: Why not? I've made crazier wagers in my day. I'd love to see them all have big seasons, but betting on another major Hemsky injury and a couple of small young players to follow the Cogliano path to ineffectiveness isn't really much of a stretch.
ReplyDeleteSorry - when I mentioned pairing Hemsky with the kid, meant to say RNH.
ReplyDeleteOmark is the one rookie Oiler forward from last year who I am somewhat concerned about.
ReplyDeleteCan he overcome his lack of skating speed to get to the right spots in the defensive zone and to keep up with his linemates on the breakout?
Is he versitile enough to be a effective 2nd or 3rd line player who can keep the puck out of his net?
I'd love to see Horcoff off the PP to make place for the young kiddos.
ReplyDeleteAs for Hemsky, given his abysmal PP numbers, given a regular year he finally would have broken that PPG seal.
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ReplyDeleteDidn't see it posted anywhere, but apparently Deslaurier has followed Cogs over to the Ducks - 2 year, 2-way deal.
ReplyDeleteStory @ TSN.ca
I really liked Omark as one of the defenseman, and I'd run Paajarvi as a D on the second unit (Barker/Whitney being the two D). Assuming Omark/Paajarvi constitute your third line wingers I'd simply run my 1L and 2L forward units on the powerplay.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about Omark is he provides movement and it is always towards the front of the net. He is also dogged on the puck which helps with zone retention. I think he might be the best powerplay forward we have. Hemsky has some ridiculous strengths but he holds on to the puck too much and has a habit of making the unit stationary.
The units would be a lot easier to make if Hemsky or Hall played center. RNH will take a few years before he'll be a plus to a powerplay.
Ashley said...I enjoy watching players of his ilk a lot more than a team full of grinders grinding their way through the season
ReplyDeleteLike Boston you mean?
Many here will say better to have the face off on the PK than speed.
And they'd be correct. Belanger isn't a turtle by any stretch anyways.
Cam Barker is a huge question mark for a lot of reasons. Can he be better than JVM? Probably a lateral move, maybe worse.
A bright orange pylon would be a better alternative especially when the roles they'll play are likely damn near polar opposites
Tambellini could have done nothing but sign JVM to a free agent contract and I suspect the result would be the same
On defence maybe. His moves here reek of hope and prayers but adding a C that can win FO's, PK and mentor, while deleting some redundancy is big. Paajarvi can team with Belanger on the PK and bring everything Cogliano did, except lose FO's, by the half way mark.
PP is blurry but if Hall duplicates D Sedin, Eberle becomes Kane, RNH morphs into Stamkos, and Barker is reborn as Yandle we should be good to go.
cabbiesmacker said....Like Boston you mean?
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote that, Boston is the exact team I thought of too. Your sarcasm is not lost on me, but just because a team can win with more grinders than skill doesn't mean I have to like it. Skill has been more rewarded in past years when compared to the late 90's early 00's when constructing a team like Boston (or Dallas, or NJ) was seemingly the only way to win. DET and COL did manage to win in there too with skilled teams though. I'd still take my chances with the skill, and as a fan I'll enjoy watching a lot more than the grinders.
As for the rest of your rebuttle, I stand by my speculation that Belanger will not have as much success in the FO circle here in Edmonton. Will he be more valuable than a speedy 24yo Cogs? Time will tell. I think JVM was not bad at all last year. Certainly not a pylon.
Sutton will be a pylon. And Barker, well again we'll see.
Cabbiesmacker
ReplyDeleteIf you give the Broooooons Khabby as their goalie, their grinders don't make it out of the first round. A 940 sv% covers up a whole lot of deficiencies elsewhere
TOJ:
ReplyDeleteA .940 goalie will win an average team the cup, unless you are playing in front of the '10-'11 Oilers...
@ Ashley.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you missed the Oilers moving out their leading scorer when the sent Penner away.
Since Smyth is directly replacing Penner, any gains there must be balanced against the loss of Penner's production.
IMO the Oilers, outside of what Belanger brings, are no better than a year ago save for the incremental improvement that should be expected from the young guns.
With Columbus adding Jeff Carter and the Wiz, Colorado adding real NHL goaltending and stabilizing their defense, Minnesota getting some goal scoring, STL bolstering their lineup with Arnott and Langenbrunner, I think the Oilers will be in pretty tough to finish anywhere but 15th in the WC.
Other than Barker, there really isn't a shot from the blue-liners either.
ReplyDeleteI count this as a blessing SpOILer. How many years now have we seen absolutely no movement from our forwards because the powerplay revolves around "that cannon from the backend?". It was brutal to watch Hemsky et al having to try in vain to feed Souray/Foster when you knew there was a better play.
Not having a plus-shot on the powerplay should help because it takes that option away from our hopeless PP coach. He's going to have to play to actual strengths rather than dated strategies.
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ReplyDeleteI count this as a blessing SpOILer. How many years now have we seen absolutely no movement from our forwards because the powerplay revolves around "that cannon from the backend?". It was brutal to watch Hemsky et al having to try in vain to feed Souray/Foster when you knew there was a better play.
ReplyDeleteNot having a plus-shot on the powerplay should help because it takes that option away from our hopeless PP coach. He's going to have to play to actual strengths rather than dated strategies.
This is a great post, DG. Hopefully it can be less about setting up one weapon and more about possession, movement, and changing angles. Hemsky, Hall, Eberle, Gagner, and Omark are all capable of playing the game this way. Smyth is great in front and good at getting the puck back and Horcoff is too. Hopefully the lack of a big shot is exactly what it takes to start playing with creativity and attacking when puck movement opens up a lane.
As a bit of an aside, Bobby Orr used to talk about how he never planned to skate through everybody but, instead, just responded to each situation as it came to him. You have to be on another level to play jazz like that and come off as the world's best but Orr really spoke to the idea of taking what is there and making the best of it. Edmonton's "stand still and force it to the point" powerplay could learn about a hundred things from this.
That's sort of sad Dorito. I remember seeing a lot of the Leafs PP with McCabe, Kaberle, Sundin, Tucker, Wellwood/Roberts/Filler.
ReplyDeleteMcCabe had that big shot from the point which he used whenever Kaberle placed one perfectly into his wheelhouse. However, the PP worked so well and generated so many points because they also had Sundin on the halfboards to distribute the puck or just rifle one himself, and Tucker sitting on the doorstep waiting for a cross ice tap in.
Options on a powerplay made it more difficult to defend against and allows you to mix it up. Sadly, the Oilers play book once they have a hard shooting defenceman seems to be get it to the point for a shot.
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tweeted that MacTavish looking at some AHL HC jobs.
ReplyDeleteThe right side is happily deep with offense and I entirely disagree with those who think you cannot have 3 quality offensive RW.
Some are arguing that you need more crustyjammygrit, and while that has some basis in truth, do not forget that when you can outscore your opponent with 3-4 lines you will win more games than you lose.
Looks like the Arena deal has received another unclear answer from the province about putting money forwards to support the Arena deal.
ReplyDeleteStelmach government respondsn by saying yes and no
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ReplyDeleteLT, I just read your entry at ON today. I see that while we don't agree on everything (I don't see an upgrade at C after the Cogs trade), I do see that you also think we'll finish in the bottom 10. Now that I'm (we're?) pleased with that, I'll also let you know that I lost a bet to Woodguy last year on just such a prediction by a WIDE margin.
ReplyDeleteAs the loser of said bet, I must say Woodguy knows more about hockey than I do and I bow in his presence upon demand. Being the gentleman that Woodguy is, or perhaps alternatively because Woodguy has so far agreed with everything I have written in the offseason, he has yet to call that bet.
What have I learned? It's tough ot make predictions, especially about the future (Yogi Berra).
Also, don't bet with that Wood-guy.
DG: Having a shot from the point shouldn't be a negative.
ReplyDeleteThat's when you fire the head coach who coaches the ST.
It's a weapon more when the opposing teams play tight defense or clog up the slot.
The Oilers just have pityful strategies.
One of the defenseman's agents, Don Meehan, told the Times on Tuesday he hadn't talked to the Kings about Doughty since June 23. At that point, it's thought the club had offered a deal of up to nine years at over $6.5 million per year.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be very interesting to see what Doughty finally gets signed to if it's true that he did turn that kind of offer down. Will it take something like $7.5 million per year over 12 years?
There's no card he isn't holding right now and he knows it. How far will he squeeze them?
Let's cheer for Lombardi and Yzerman to get reasonable deals done here, or we could potentially be headed for rough times with Hall and RNH in a few years.
DG,
ReplyDeleteI can't get on board with the idea that no point shot is a good thing. The problem was with how it was used, not that the option was there. Mr. Pronger had some success from the point on the PP, IIRC.
CF14
ReplyDeleteI love your choice of new number! That's exactly the number I would have recommended.
How the Stamkos and Doughty contract negotiations play out are going to be a learning experience for the whole league and likely the forthcoming CBA.
DSF wrote:
ReplyDeleteIMO the Oilers, outside of what Belanger brings, are no better than a year ago save for the incremental improvement that should be expected from the young guns.
Last season's group of forwards to start the season (lines not necessarily correct, but close enough):
Horc-Penner-Hemsky
Gagner-Hall-Eberle
Cogs-PRV-Brule
Fraser-Storts-Jones
JFJ-SMac
This October should see the following changes:
-Smyth for Penner is a wash, like you said.
-Belanger is an upgrade for either Cogs...same points, more or less, but I think Belanger will be better in his own end and obviously on the dot.
-Omark is an upgrade over Brule.
-Fraser, Storts, JFJ, and SMac will be replaced by Eager, Hordichuk, Brule, and one of Lander/Vandevelde/RNH/???...definitely an upgrade.
-Healthier seasons from Horc, Hemsky, Hall, Eberle, and Gagner should be an "upgrade" to last year's version.
-Hall, Eberle, PRV, and Omark progressing would be an upgrade to last season, like you said.
Last season's defense started something like this:
Whitney-Gilbert
Smid-Peckham
Foster-VDM
Struds
This season we should see changes along these lines:
-Barker in for Foster...call it a wash right now but the chances of Barker improving on what Foster did last season are pretty good and he likely couldn't play any worse.
-Sutton replaces VDM or he ends up replacing Studs as the 7th d-man...either way, it's probably a wash but also keep in mind he probably takes over Peckham's role as another enforcer, especially if Hordichuk is in the PB. So instead of losing Peckham for nearly 400 minutes again this season maybe Sutton eats up at least half of those PIMs leaving Peckham available for defensive duties...win, win for the Oilers.
-Petry or Chorney likely start the season with the Oilers and are definitely upgrades over VDM or Struds.
-Healthier season from Whitney will obviously help this team by leaps and bounds.
-Peckham, Petry, and Chorney progressing will help, like you said.
Goaltenders won't change from last season but you have to think that Khabby bounces back from his worst season as a pro to at least below average to average. Dubnyk obviously played better than most expected so to expect him to be even better might be a little "pie in the sky" at this point. Either way, the goaltending, as a whole, should be better because it can't get any worse.
No rookies (we started with 5 last season...but still may start with one or two depending on how camp goes) to start the season along with the addition of several NHL players should definitely make this team more competitive this season.
Peckham's PIMs should read 200 minutes, not 400.
ReplyDeleteThanks spOILer. Funny how that worked out. It's amazing to think I once thought 13 would be an enduring choice...
ReplyDeleteGiven LeBron's Decision and guys like Carmelo Anthony bullying their teams into trades, finding ways of helping teams keep their franchise players seems like it will be a key focus for the NBA owners during the lock-out. It would be nice if they came up with something workable that the NHL could copy in the next CBA.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the sentiment and I try to only make +EV wagers, but I have been known to make some bad bets.
Once, while drinking, I offered out a large wager on whether or not Grebs would get a contract from NAS or someone who would acquire his RFA rights.
Thank god I wasn't taken up on it.
I may collect on or bet from time to time, I appreciate you being so forthcoming about it.
Grebs was RH and would look very good on the 3/4 D pair this year.
CF14: You know what's funny?
ReplyDeleteCarmelo Anthony's departure was actually profitable for the Nuggets.
The Oil are fortunate to have very skilled RH & LH forwards. THey seemed to have the best opportunities when overloading one side or the other. Use the RH shots on the left side & the LH shots on the right side. I would use 2 RH shots from either Hemsky, Gagner or Eberle & either Hall or Smytty as the finisher up front. Whitney & either Paajarvi or Omark on the point. WHitney & MPS would get the puck up ice very quickly. The second unit could use 2 LH shots from either Hall, Horcoff, Paajarvi or Omark. Eberle would be a fine RH finisher on this PP. By the way, down the road this is where I see a guy like Hartikainen excelling.
ReplyDelete@johnntshka
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of wishin' and hopin'
Goaltending is likely a wash.
Defense is likely a wash.
PK should be a bit better.
PP should be a bit a better.
It's easy to project improvement but you also need to bear in mind the other teams in the WC have not stood still.
The Oilers finished 19 points behind Columbus last season so if they get 10 more wins, they could finish one point ahead of Columbus except that Columbus has upgraded their roster tremendously.
Colorado might be a target but they have added, in the last 12 months, Erik Johnson and Varlamov... I really doubt they'll be worse.
Maybe they can track down Dallas.
Can't see the Oilers finishing ahead of anyone else.
WG, grebs shoots left. Nice player though, they could (and likely did) do worse than bring him back.
ReplyDeleteFPB: I don't know about that. The Nuggets got a few decent pieces and a bump from dumping the massive distraction that Carmello had become, but the NBA is a star league and ultimately you always lose giving up the best player in the trade.
ReplyDeleteEven the Lakers got horribly set back after they traded Shaq, and they got some nice pieces in that deal plus they still had Kobe. It wasn't until they got the best player end of the Pau Gasol trade that they climbed back into title contention.
CF: The problem is : Not all stars can shine.
ReplyDeleteAllen Iverson was a star but a notoriously piss poor shooter.
Same for Carmelo. Giving him huge ammount of shots hasn't givin' anything.
Of course Shaq was missed. He shot near 60%, got fouled a load, and rebounded like a monster. All that while playing great defensively.
Anthony's only a scorer. He shoots for 45% doesn't get fouled that much. And he's a poor defender.
I'd argue Danilo Gallinari will single handedly make this trade a winenr for the Nuggets.
He's athletic, he drives in the lane and gets fouled to the highest rate in the league. All that with 3 point ability.
@DSF
ReplyDeleteSo, the wishin' and hopin' is only outlawed when we're talking about the Oilers? Got it...thx.
cabbiesmacker, you're suffering from availability bias. The SCF wasn't great hockey to watch. And most of us won't live to see this team hoist the cup again unless life expectancy climbs into the 90s. Maybe we can listen with our ear horns from the rocking chair in the next room.
ReplyDeleteWas there a single play in the SCF half as thrilling (and ominous) as seeing Regehr deked out of his jock strap, mano a mano? Plus, Boston's home squeezed playing style is not even legal in the regular season. Bottom line for growing those playoff beards: the refs begin to think you actually *are* a vagabond troop of lumberjacks, and that your on ice behaviour is perfectly normal.
As a bit of an aside, Bobby Orr used to talk about how he never planned to skate through everybody but, instead, just responded to each situation as it came to him. You have to be on another level to play jazz like that and come off as the world's best but Orr really spoke to the idea of taking what is there and making the best of it.
I was thinking about this while reading about Bobby Fischer's "game of the century" the other night. He's a 13 year old, invited for the first time to play in an adult tournament in the top NY club. He's playing black against a former American champion and enfant terrible brought down by poor health to merely mortal status, entering the twilight years of his mid-twenties. I imagine he smacks the other club players around like Agassi on a weak knee.
In this match, Agassi makes one small stutter step in the opening, adjusting a bishop to a stronger square, then Fischer pounces with the unexpected, offering a knight sacrifice baited with poison. Agassi senses the poison, and makes his best response, positioning his queen on a less than optimal square. From there it's one thumping Nadalesque top spin after another, including a queen sacrifice which Fischer had to see coming nearly a week into the future, the chess equivalent of playing a passing shot from between your legs, before finishing up with six precise shots to alternate corners from behind the baseline.
After the game Fischer said, "I was only trying to make the best move available in each position." In other words, it wasn't his game plan to offer a major piece sacrifice every third move.
It's as if Orr was playing on team Canada as a 16 year old, Canada goes two men down with 45s remaining on the 1st penalty. Orr is sent out to hold fort against the KLM line. He gathers up the puck, skates three loops around the ice through the entire Red Army, burns off the remainder of the 1st penalty without ever losing the puck, then blazes up ice like Pavel Bure imitating Pele, leaves half the Red Army falling on their asses behind the play, then goes top shelf over Tretiak sprawled to the wrong side.
"I just made it up as I went along."
The 2010 Boston Bruins play like Vladimir Kramnik, aka Drawnik. After 15 standard moves, he shakes your hand. Just don't make a mistake or he'll chop your feet out from under you one ugly pawn after another. He's a damn good chess player, but he ain't got that jazz. I admit, there *is* a certain thrill associated with feeding your opponent through a slow meat grinder. It doesn't make a great highlight reel for anyone else. Kramnik doesn't want to play a game of the century, it would be one he loses to a 12 year old.
Orr, Fischer, Hemsky. These guys are keepers if you value anything in the sport aside from the season-ending Stanley cup baton pass.
The one thing Hemsky needs to learn is to let other players take over on a night where he's not gifted by God.
WG, grebs shoots left. Nice player though, they could (and likely did) do worse than bring him back.
ReplyDeleteI must have been looking at my memories in a mirror.
Thanks for the clarification.
WG: Is Grebs wearing #73 in your mental video file? :)
ReplyDeleteFPB: Iverson single-handedly dragged a crappy 76ers team to the Finals in '01 and even took a game off the best Lakers team of the Shaq-Kobe era. Stats can only capture so much in basketball. And if you're crunching numbers to the point that they're telling you Gallinari is more valuable than Carmello, you should probably take a step back and come up for air.
ReplyDeleteUnless Carmello suffers a career-ending injury, the Knicks will never regret that trade.
CF: Well they got bumped in 4 by old men with no centers.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wearingfilm.com/picketfence/2009/09/the-gospel-according-to-allen-iverson/
On to Allen Iverson.
Shooting sub 40% while taking +30 shots per game isn't ''Leading your team'' it's being a fucking blackhole.
He got off because all of his teammates were only focused on rebounding and defense.
If you outrebound by a severe margin it'l cover up your shitty FG%.
Every game Gallinari played this year he averaged 10 FG and 15 points.
Carmelo averaged 20 FG and 25 points.
You do the math.