Article: What Have We Learned From the First 11 Games of the Quinn Hughes Era?

[Tony Abbott]

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[ArizonaWildFan]

Really great piece, Tony.

Hughes has been a great addition. My concern since his arrival has been with Kaprizov's adjustment, or lack of adjustment. When QH is on the ice with KK, Kirill doesn't need to be the primary puck mover like he has in the past. He should be looking for soft spots and seams and scoring in droves.

Secondly, the Wild would be better served replacing Zuccarello with Faber on the top PP unit. Hughes can be a better Hughes if he has a responsible D-man covering.

Just my two cents.

[Patrick]

With Boldy elevating his game to the next level and Hughes on board...is Kaprizov our 3rd best player?

[Pewterschmidt]

For the Hughes Hall Mary ™️ not to become Herschel Walker 2.0 he’s gotta gel with 97 and develop serious chemistry.  I’m already tired of watching Hughes do button hooks for 60 minutes as a one man army.  

[Pewterschmidt]

Just now, Pewterschmidt said:

For the Hughes Hall Mary ™️ not to become Herschel Walker 2.0 he’s gotta gel with 97 and develop serious chemistry.  I’m already tired of watching Hughes do button hooks for 60 minutes as a one man army.  

He’s basically Zeev except Zeev works be an rfa, while Hughes is getting his big payday next.  

[Pewterschmidt]

[mnfaninnc]

12 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Secondly, the Wild would be better served replacing Zuccarello with Faber on the top PP unit. Hughes can be a better Hughes if he has a responsible D-man covering.

Honestly, I think Zuccarello and Hughes are redundant pieces and even Tarasenko would be better on PP1 with Hughes. I like the right shot of Faber on the line, but I think the real substitute may not even be on the team yet.

[mnfaninnc]

One thing Tony didn't touch on was Hughes' defense. To me, that has been better than expected. Even though he's a smaller guy, he still does not shy away from contact. Often times he jumps into opponent's lanes using his body to cut them off. 

I was expecting him to be a liability, but that simply is not the case. 

One of the nice things about Hughes coming here earlier in the season is the amount of time he and Kaprizov can spend working out the differences and gelling. To me, Hughes looks like a Phil Housley type of player who sees the game at a high level but differently than almost every other defenseman. His impact, however, is similar. 

I have no doubt that Hughes and Kaprizov will get on the same page, but Kaprizov will need to open his mind a bit. He has said how he and Zuccarello see the game the same way from the beginning of when he came. Kaprizov and Hughes do not see the game the same way but are such high level players, they can adjust to it. That takes time but my prediction is that in March, these guys will be in sync. 

Speaking of Housley, he is currently not doing anything. It would be in Guerin's best interest to hire him and put him in charge of our defensemen, not in a coaching role, per se, but as a director of the defense. He would spend time with the big club but not on the bench and take trips out to see our prospects too. When he was in charge of the Nashville defense, they just kept churning out guys and could trade off experienced players to get the forwards they needed. He also would have the ability to work with and develop Judd's puckmoving defender picks that nobody seems to be able to develop. This would be a smart investment. I believe he can unlock a lot of our draft pick's potential. 

[OldDutchChip]

3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Honestly, I think Zuccarello and Hughes are redundant pieces and even Tarasenko would be better on PP1 with Hughes. I like the right shot of Faber on the line, but I think the real substitute may not even be on the team yet.

PP1 needs MJ. Just replace him for Zuccy already. The trio of Hughes, Kap and Boldy are not that good at entering the zone. And if you can't get situated - that skill is wasted.

We need to set up as soon as we can, we can't waste a minute to try these dumb pass-backs and barreling into the O zone time and time again. Then when succeed (on 3rd attempt) forcing these exhausting attempts at the net.

MJ is elite at getting into the zone. When he popped up with PP2 unit, i had zero concerns with him getting situated, whereas QH and Boldy duo is maddening. 

We also need to stop sending out Vlady for shoot-outs. His blasts from 20 feet are not going to do much. 

[mnfaninnc]

6 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

We need to set up as soon as we can, we can't waste a minute to try these dumb pass-backs and barreling into the O zone time and time again. Then when succeed (on 3rd attempt) forcing these exhausting attempts at the net.

Part of this problem, I believe, comes with scheme. Sure we pass it back on the entry to the surprise of no one. But let's also look at the other 4 guys standing like statues at the line. Wouldn't it be a lot better if they entered the zone where everyone had some speed going? And then to take to steps over the line and try going east-west is stupid. I think Kaprizov, Boldy, and Hughes could do it adequately if we had everyone going with him.

Now here's an interesting idea for the 2nd period, let Johansson carry the puck in, get set up, and then exit for another player. The bench is right there. 

6 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

We also need to stop sending out Vlady for shoot-outs. His blasts from 20 feet are not going to do much. 

I believe Hughes should have been #4.

 

[OldDutchChip]

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Part of this problem, I believe, comes with scheme. Sure we pass it back on the entry to the surprise of no one. But let's also look at the other 4 guys standing like statues at the line. Wouldn't it be a lot better if they entered the zone where everyone had some speed going? And then to take to steps over the line and try going east-west is stupid. I think Kaprizov, Boldy, and Hughes could do it adequately if we had everyone going with him.

Now here's an interesting idea for the 2nd period, let Johansson carry the puck in, get set up, and then exit for another player. The bench is right there. 

I believe Hughes should have been #4.

 

agree - for PP1 we are running the exact same scheme over and over again (which fools no one at this point) - but with PP2 - it is really a masterclass - and it's not due to anyone other than MJ. he is magnificent at slicing through the D and getting into the zone with the puck (too bad he has a lot less time and skill to support him) - it's now foolish not to utilize him. even if it's just to get in the zone and then (when/if time allows) sub in for zuccy. 

or do this - 

PP1 - MJ Kap Harty Zuccy Faber

PP2 - Hughes Kap Boldy EK Trenin (yes him) or Yurov

Just throw a curveball - the teams plan for PKs so if you keep them guessing it causes chaos and gives you an advantage. 

Regardless of how our PP started - it looks unwatchable now

[Enforceror]

10 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

agree - for PP1 we are running the exact same scheme over and over again (which fools no one at this point) - but with PP2 - it is really a masterclass - and it's not due to anyone other than MJ. he is magnificent at slicing through the D and getting into the zone with the puck (too bad he has a lot less time and skill to support him) - it's now foolish not to utilize him. even if it's just to get in the zone and then (when/if time allows) sub in for zuccy. 

or do this - 

PP1 - MJ Kap Harty Zuccy Faber

PP2 - Hughes Kap Boldy EK Trenin (yes him) or Yurov

Just throw a curveball - the teams plan for PKs so if you keep them guessing it causes chaos and gives you an advantage. 

Regardless of how our PP started - it looks unwatchable now

Sorry ODC but I don't share your optimism for MJ. He does great at powering through the neutral zone with speed but that's where it ends. Maybe he just needs better support but I feel like we've been trying this for years and it doesn't work.

[AKwildkraken]

10 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

Sorry ODC but I don't share your optimism for MJ. He does great at powering through the neutral zone with speed but that's where it ends. Maybe he just needs better support but I feel like we've been trying this for years and it doesn't work.

Our current PP entry strongly encourages the short pass to whomever is standing still at the blue line trying to enter the zone.  The system isn't designed for a lone puck carrier as the rest of the team is standing still at the blue line, thus lending little support for the lone puck carrier.  

Zeev and Nojo were/are good at entering the zone, but didn't get much help afterwards.  I think this is why Buium was demoted to PP2.  I think Hynes and company wants our team to play within the system, not to freelance, which I can understand.

I just think our system is way too predictable.  If I can figure it out as a observant fan, a professional should be able to figure this out.

 

[Enforceror]

16 minutes ago, AKwildkraken said:

Our current PP entry strongly encourages the short pass to whomever is standing still at the blue line trying to enter the zone.  The system isn't designed for a lone puck carrier as the rest of the team is standing still at the blue line, thus lending little support for the lone puck carrier.  

Zeev and Nojo were/are good at entering the zone, but didn't get much help afterwards.  I think this is why Buium was demoted to PP2.  I think Hynes and company wants our team to play within the system, not to freelance, which I can understand.

I just think our system is way too predictable.  If I can figure it out as a observant fan, a professional should be able to figure this out.

 

Words of wisdom.

[Pewterschmidt]

8 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Sorry ODC but I don't share your optimism for MJ. He does great at powering through the neutral zone with speed but that's where it ends. Maybe he just needs better support but I feel like we've been trying this for years and it doesn't work.

The Olympic team is picked, the NoJo Renaissance ™️ is over

[OldDutchChip]

9 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Sorry ODC but I don't share your optimism for MJ. He does great at powering through the neutral zone with speed but that's where it ends. Maybe he just needs better support but I feel like we've been trying this for years and it doesn't work.

exactly and MJ is elite at that. PP1 struggles with this and most of the energy is spent trying to get in and situated. i think we should try to maximize the output and put the parts on the ice that work best together. if we put all skill but no one to get in and set up - then that is wasted, similar with MJ being on PP2 - he has little time and skill to take advantage of his elite ability to get inside the zone. i would at least try it out. get few different tactics in place - the more variety - the more looks the D has to anticipate and plan for.

[mnfaninnc]

10 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

agree - for PP1 we are running the exact same scheme over and over again (which fools no one at this point) - but with PP2 - it is really a masterclass - and it's not due to anyone other than MJ. he is magnificent at slicing through the D and getting into the zone with the puck (too bad he has a lot less time and skill to support him) - it's now foolish not to utilize him. even if it's just to get in the zone and then (when/if time allows) sub in for zuccy. 

or do this - 

PP1 - MJ Kap Harty Zuccy Faber

PP2 - Hughes Kap Boldy EK Trenin (yes him) or Yurov

Just throw a curveball - the teams plan for PKs so if you keep them guessing it causes chaos and gives you an advantage. 

Regardless of how our PP started - it looks unwatchable now

Another curveball to throw in is just roll lines 1 & 2, not the whole time, but for a portion of the PP. Don't worry about setting up, just do the normal 5 v 5 stuff on the PP where you have possession and 1 less guy defending. Try to create a 2-1 and traffic in front and everyone crashes the net. 

I would think a PK would not be prepared for such a strategy. 

[Will D. Ness]

I think PP2 has more success entering the zone because they are focused on getting control of the puck and willing to dump it in and play the boards.  PP1 finds that style of power play to be beneath them or something.  They must do something brilliant.

Sometimes the conservative play is the right play.  When you have a man advantage, you should play to that strength.

[MNCountryLife]

If a team(Anaheim) sits back and doesn't attack the perimeter our system is fine.  We looked great against Anaheim.

But if they(Kings) attack the perimeter you can't just pass it around and try to set up.  They will eventually break up the play and take it the other way.  Seems to me that if an opposing team is willing to attack the perimeter than you need to take it to the middle of the ice or directly to the net much faster since they have moved away from the net to accomplish that perimeter play.  Our PP looked awful against Kings PK.

Bottom line... the PP needs to be flexible enough to understand the defense of the opponent.  Ours appears very rigid.  I think the 2nd PP is looked at as less skilled an unable to typically control the puck so they are told to take it to the net quickly....and they do.