Larson has to find a way to get Ziemer and Mooney going. Seems like Mooney had a lot more time and space last year playing on the wing to make plays than he has playing center. Same is probably true with Wyatt but I understand he’s trying to develop into a center but having a 5’6 player and a high school senior who just went through a growth spurt is just such a soft top 6 center duo imo.
Quote: Go4birdvowelLarson has to find a way to get Ziemer and Mooney going. Seems like Mooney had a lot more time and space last year playing on the wing to make plays than he has playing center. Same is probably true with Wyatt but I understand he’s trying to develop into a center but having a 5’6 player and a high school senior who just went through a growth spurt is just such a soft top 6 center duo imo.
I seem to remember someone briefly mentioning during the off season that lack of top tier centers would be an issue this year.
@go4birdvowel Absolutely and 100% agree with this. Especially with regard to Mooney. I closely was watching how Mooney can actually enter into the net zone area with his skating prowess and suddenly create new scoring opportunities. He makes it look so easy. Again, I have no idea if playing center renders such moves to be less likely to take place as opposed to the wing side...but I suspect that might be one real reason.
Quote: upnorthkidQuote: trixR4kidsAppreciate the detailed analysis from a system perspective, at a more basic level it just seems like a conservative approach you'd use as a coach if you want to keep the game close against an opponent you know is superior.
It’s a keep grade As down strategy which analytics support. Puck to center ice opens up a ton of offense from teams who activate their D. They ran the same system with PSU and UND, had nothing to do with thinking the opponent is superior. Just cuts down high danger looks and tries to kill plays on the wall. Bucky just has a way better cycle game to handle it
I just hope (in upcoming years) we can apply more pressure in the D zone and not just have good teams circle the wagons on us for most the game. Even PSU did that for far too much of those games and they aren't that good. I remember Lucia using it when he pretty obviously didn't think the team was good enough to try a less conservative strategy and I gotta assume that's the reason it's happening here as well.