Warm kinda' sweaty chairs...

by TBL Fat Tony on Nov 17, 2010 4:59 PM EST

With the 20 game mark coming up in the season, there is some talking around the league about moves coming up and already players have been waived, acquired, and a coach fired.

So, how comfortable is Steve Yzerman with the way his team is thus far? I know certain players haven't been healthy, but injury proneness and bad luck sometimes can be a reason for your dismissal. And no, I'm not talking about Simon Gagne just yet. Check back before the trade deadline.

As you may know already, rumors have come around this week about the Lightning (per Mike Corcoran and some French reports that I couldn't read). Marc-Andre Bergeron is expected to finish his rehab from knee surgery and take tests next week, and is expected to sign with a team thereafter if he passes. Sources tell Corcoran that Bergeron expects that to be the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bergeron played 60 games last year with the Canadians scoring 34 points in that span and is known to be more of an offensive type defense man but has the reputation to be soft in his own zone.

Before this year began, head coach Guy Boucher had said that he likes the idea of having a power play specialist and he hasn't had a definite one of those so far. We've seen Pavel Kubina play most of the minutes while not producing very much, same with Victor Hedman. Lately, Mattias Ohlund has gotten a shot at it and had little success. Brett Clark has contributed on some levels, but he's probably more valuable to the team being used as a shut-down defensiveman rather than logging all those power play minutes.

While the defense takes up 20% of the unit during the power play (1 out of 5 skaters) they've only contributed to 8.2% of the points thus far (6 out of 49).

Yet after all this the Lightning have still been quite successful on the power play, having the league's 6th best percentage. Much thanks to the Hammer, Steven Stamkos.

If the Lightning were to have a #1 power play specialist like Bergeron, in theory it would take some pressure off the other D-men to do their jobs more efficiently 5-on-5, which has been a major concern in November. In my personal opinion, I don't see the harm in trying it: M.A. Bergeron was quite successful last year finishing 4th in the league in PP points with 22 in only 60 games. The league lead was held by Mike Green with 35 PP points and that high powered Capitals offense.

So you must wonder who's the odd man out if the rumor is true? Well, I'd have to say its probably Matt Smaby. Smaby's minutes are so low anyway (8 minutes per game) it doesn't look like he has been trusted that much by Boucher thus far this season, even after his sickness and injuries.

On a separate note: After listening to a preseason recording of Yzerman as a guest on NHL Live I noticed he made comments about the goaltending and how he wants to see them being consistent. So far I can imagine him being disappointed in that area. And also he stated that he expects Cedrick Desjardins to push Mike Smith and Dan Ellis to keep their jobs as NHL goalies. It will be interesting to see, if the inconsistency continues, if Yzerman will keep true to his word, and just how long is he willing to wait around. And if he isn't going to wait long, is Desjardins the right man for the job?

This post was written by a member of the Raw Charge community and doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Raw Charge staff.

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Defense

First off, I think that Brett Clark has done more for the team this year than any other Lightning defenseman, I think. His ability to block shots, shut down forwards, and keep the puck in the offensive zone has spoken for itself in this regard. He has been good on the PP as well, 3 goals, 4 assists.

I’m assuming that while you are noting that Hedman hasn’t contributed on the PP or offensively (6 assists isn’t exactly bad or good), you are taking into account is more than adequate play in his own zone, right? He stays cool when he goes to the boards, keeps his head up, and can get the puck out of the zone very well, something that the team really needs him to do. He may make other mistakes when the other team is on the rush, but keep in mind this is only his second year and he’s playing at a level that is usually way above his age and experience should allow.

If you want to talk about the QB of the powerplay, you need to look at the Marty/Vinny combo. When Marty plays the point with Vinny on the right wing, Stamkos on the left, they could hypnotize the opposing players out of position and strike from anywhere. Marty and Vinny would play catch and either one of them could either get the pass to Stammer or just shoot it. When Vinny was out that first game and the PP had Purcell or someone of the right side, it was lackluster, almost bad.

If you ask me, when Vinny comes back, the first powerplay unit should be Vinny, Marty, Stamkos, Clark, and Bergenheim/Moore. Get Clark and Marty up top to dish, but Bergz and Moore down low, and let Stamkos and Vinny hold down the wings. Or Hammer, or Bugsy; Just get a garbage man in there and fire away.

Now, onto Bergeron. It’s been obvious that Boucher’s main focus is versatility. Guys like Ohlund, Clark, Kubina, Hedman, even Jones, can be considered more two-way defensemen. They can all move the puck out of the zone and have shown their ability to control it in the offensive zone. That’s not to say that is their strongest suit, but it can suit them well at times. That being said, Bergeron has no versatility. To me, he’s the same as having an extra forward on the ice. You could just as soon go out and get a defensive-minded forward to play his position and you may be able to achieve the same goal. While it seems like a good theory, I’m not a fan.

Onto the goaltending. Cedrick is 4-4-1 with a 2.73 GAA and .891 SA%. What is threatening about that? Sure, Smitty’s numbers aren’t much better than that. In fact, they aren’t really better, but the difference is that Smitty is playing at the professional level and Desjardins is not. I also have a theory that a team plays worse for the goalie they are more confident in, but I haven’t done any research to support it.

The point is that the defense isn’t entirely doing their job and that may not completely be their fault. I think that getting a guy like Bergeron may help, but the risk might not be worth it. Personally, I think that maybe Boucher should consider who plays when, juggle the pairings a little bit and see where things go.

by TheAbsoluteJay on Nov 18, 2010 11:02 AM EST reply actions

Great insight....

so good I feel inclined to debate..

On Clark, I do agree 100%… his play has been key to much of the lightning’s success. I do although think that a defenseman should play the point on the PP( because clearly the Lightning play an umbrella like PP style ),IMO forwards on the top of the umbrella aren’t defensive minded enough to prevent the other team from scoring short handed. Kubina hasn’t done the job, Hedman is still young like you said, and I do think his defensive play thus far has been greatly improved. Ohlund is a million miles per hour too slow and Clark doesn’t have a great shot which is why you see him in front of the net sometimes on the PP i think.

I think a Dman on top, Stamkos on the left, Marty on the right(two best shots) with Malone in front of the net because hes got a big frame and if hes willing to pay the price, screen the goalie like last year, when he was tied for 2nd on the team in PP goals, then he can get more minutes or Downie could probably do it too. Vinny in the high slot to get rebounds, screen the goalie up the middle and cycle back to the point man to change shooting lanes and control the puck. A lot like what Detroit does.

As for Bergeron if his duties we’re limited to minutes of the 7th defenseman like what I said Smaby was playing, his defensive play wouldn’t hurt much if he was playing most of the PP time being the specialist and when trailing in the 3rd when teams aren’t as aggressive. Hes a guy who is very often injured so limited playing time would help that. Plus the 7th defenseman on the PP would give all the other D time to rest because lets face it the 1st PP unit plays a very long first shift of the PP. Rather than having them out there on the PP and one of them rest during a 5on5 shift where the 7th man is out there for an extra 45 seconds on the fly for a shift during game play and throwing the chemistry off between Dmen.

And it also allows Boucher to double shift one of the forwards when using 11 forwards and 7 D. For example if Bergeron was in Smaby’s place Nov12 vs the Penguins he could of taken time down from Kubina Hedman Clark in PP minutes where the Lightning had about 10 minutes of PP time and that would of allowed more rest to those guys

http://lightning.nhl.com/club/boxscore.htm?id=2010020228#bx-penaltySummary

I know that is just one game but in theory I like the idea of keeping the D pairings the same for the most part during the game just so they know where each other are and if you’re going to have a 7th Dman you might as well have him out there by himself when he doesn’t have to be so defensive. And besides Boucher doesn’t use 7 D each game. He sometimes scratches Dmen and other times he scratches a Forward.

As for Cedrick I don’t think hes ready for the big time but if it sent a message to Smith I wouldn’t be against letting him up for a week.

by TBL Fat Tony on Nov 18, 2010 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

All Good

I like the idea of a defenseman at the top of the umbrella, but I feel that Marty was a good fit up there, too, with Vinny on the right wing side. Although he’s not big, he has shown to be defensively responsible. Also, if we simply don’t have a defenseman to play the top as well as a forward could, you might have to take that risk to score goals.

Also, I think that if you want a defenseman to fill that position, like Hedman, you have to give him a larger chance. He and Clark were on a roll last night and I think Hedman’s got some points coming.

I think if Bergeron was limited to those PP minutes or offensive pushes that would be fine.

With goalies, sometimes that call up can mean, to the goalie, more of a “We’re warning you” and less “We want to push you.” Smitty wears his heart on his sleeve, so who knows how that would work out.

I’m not saying that you’re theories are wrong or even that I disagree. I’m just more interested in seeing he team, as is, battle through the adversity and get better as a group.

by TheAbsoluteJay on Nov 18, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

well adversity is one thng....

the points that mean playoffs or not are another thing……

After tonight’s absolutely crazy 8-7 win i have to reiterate the complaints of the goal tending jeeeezus how terrible are they going to be before they are replaced….. i know this isn’t THE stanley cup year…but the way Tampa bay fans are…..if you’re unsuccessful when you’re supposed to be successful….then you’re forgotten…. =-( …that is not my point of view that is the citiy’s…..unfortunately…..

by TBL Fat Tony on Nov 19, 2010 12:55 AM EST up reply actions