Offensive Defensemen
by Jonathan Willis on May 15, 2008 10:28 AM MDT
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Craig MacTavish is a good coach. I firmly believe that he's in the upper echelon of NHL coaches, and that he has put together some pretty remarkable seasons with some fairly dysfunctional teams.
Case in point: offensive defensemen. MacTavish has been criticized in the past for playing a stifling, defensive system which focuses on "smart" hockey at the expense of creativity. My personal opinion is that MacTavish adapts his strategies to his personnel, and that when he's given players that suit a certain style, that's the style he coaches. Here are the top three defensemen by offensive output that MacTavish has had in each season, both by total points and PPG. (Note: stats are for time with the Oilers only. In 05-06, Spacek wasn't the third leading point getter due to limited GP, but his PPG was so much higher I included him)
2000-01: Niinimaa (46, .56), Poti (32, .40), Ulanov (23, .34)
2001-02: Niinimaa (44, .54), Brewer (25, .31), Smith (18, .24)
2002-03: Brewer (29, .36), Niinimaa (28, .44), Staios (26, .34)
2003-04: Staios (28, .34), Bergeron (26, .48), Brewer (25, .32)
2005-06: Pronger (56, .7), Bergeron (35, .47), Spacek (19, .61)
2006-07: Bergeron (25, .45), Staios (17, .29), Tjarnqvist (15, .41)
2007-08: Gilbert (33, .40), Pitkanen (26, .41), Grebeshkov (18, .25)
We can see here why MacTavish used Bergeron to the extent that he did, despite defensive shortcomings. When names like Brewer and Staios are leading the blueline in scoring, there is an obvious lack of offense. With the exception of that glorious 2006 Finals team, the closest MacTavish has had to a legitimate defensive corps was that 2001-02 team, with Niinimaa, Poti, Ulanov, Brewer and Smith providing a decent top-5.
Things have started to turn around. Presumably the chief lesson that Lowe took out of the 2006-07 debacle was the need to provide his coach with a legitimate group of defensemen. While there is certainly a spot open for a veteran shut-down type, Gilbert, Pitkanen, Grebeshkov and Souray (.38PPG) provide hope for an offense generating group. The first three are all excellent passers (Grebeshkov really was a completely different player in the second half) and Souray has that massive point shot. Staios provides leadership and grit, while Smid and Greene are being brought along (particularly Smid) as shutdown defensemen. We can also see the rationale for the Gilbert signing- aside from Pronger, he's had the best offensive season by an Oiler D since Niinimaa. Going forward, this is a group that in a couple of years will look like it belongs on a contending team.
And that is something that has only happened once under Kevin Lowe.
Case in point: offensive defensemen. MacTavish has been criticized in the past for playing a stifling, defensive system which focuses on "smart" hockey at the expense of creativity. My personal opinion is that MacTavish adapts his strategies to his personnel, and that when he's given players that suit a certain style, that's the style he coaches. Here are the top three defensemen by offensive output that MacTavish has had in each season, both by total points and PPG. (Note: stats are for time with the Oilers only. In 05-06, Spacek wasn't the third leading point getter due to limited GP, but his PPG was so much higher I included him)
2000-01: Niinimaa (46, .56), Poti (32, .40), Ulanov (23, .34)
2001-02: Niinimaa (44, .54), Brewer (25, .31), Smith (18, .24)
2002-03: Brewer (29, .36), Niinimaa (28, .44), Staios (26, .34)
2003-04: Staios (28, .34), Bergeron (26, .48), Brewer (25, .32)
2005-06: Pronger (56, .7), Bergeron (35, .47), Spacek (19, .61)
2006-07: Bergeron (25, .45), Staios (17, .29), Tjarnqvist (15, .41)
2007-08: Gilbert (33, .40), Pitkanen (26, .41), Grebeshkov (18, .25)
We can see here why MacTavish used Bergeron to the extent that he did, despite defensive shortcomings. When names like Brewer and Staios are leading the blueline in scoring, there is an obvious lack of offense. With the exception of that glorious 2006 Finals team, the closest MacTavish has had to a legitimate defensive corps was that 2001-02 team, with Niinimaa, Poti, Ulanov, Brewer and Smith providing a decent top-5.
Things have started to turn around. Presumably the chief lesson that Lowe took out of the 2006-07 debacle was the need to provide his coach with a legitimate group of defensemen. While there is certainly a spot open for a veteran shut-down type, Gilbert, Pitkanen, Grebeshkov and Souray (.38PPG) provide hope for an offense generating group. The first three are all excellent passers (Grebeshkov really was a completely different player in the second half) and Souray has that massive point shot. Staios provides leadership and grit, while Smid and Greene are being brought along (particularly Smid) as shutdown defensemen. We can also see the rationale for the Gilbert signing- aside from Pronger, he's had the best offensive season by an Oiler D since Niinimaa. Going forward, this is a group that in a couple of years will look like it belongs on a contending team.
And that is something that has only happened once under Kevin Lowe.
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I was impressed with our D's ability to move the puck in the last 20 games. I'm especially bullish on Gilbert because I think given the game he plays he will only get better with more experience. Grebeshkov also stunned me with his growth over the year. Not many D can make the 50 ft saucer passes that he can.
Oilers also did manage up the 5th most goals against and have 2 wild cards in Sourray and Pitkanen. Your right, a good veteran signing is probably needed.
Now for the shameless plug, go check out puckdonkey.blogspot.com. First post today!
Oilers also did manage up the 5th most goals against and have 2 wild cards in Sourray and Pitkanen. Your right, a good veteran signing is probably needed.
Now for the shameless plug, go check out puckdonkey.blogspot.com. First post today!
by Sean on May 15, 2008 6:32 PM MDT reply actions
I was impressed with our D's ability to move the puck in the last 20 games. I'm especially bullish on Gilbert because I think given the game he plays he will only get better with more experience. Grebeshkov also stunned me with his growth over the year. Not many D can make the 50 ft saucer passes that he can.
Grebeshkov was a completely different player after the allstar break. As for Gilbert, I like him, but I'm not convinced that his ceiling is terribly high; he was an older rookie and he's had plenty of time to hone his game. Still, there's certainly room for improvement and he should at the very least remain a solid top-4 guy.
Grebeshkov was a completely different player after the allstar break. As for Gilbert, I like him, but I'm not convinced that his ceiling is terribly high; he was an older rookie and he's had plenty of time to hone his game. Still, there's certainly room for improvement and he should at the very least remain a solid top-4 guy.
by Jonathan Willis on May 15, 2008 7:07 PM MDT reply actions
I don't think 5's being groomed as a stopper as much as he's being pimped for that role because he doesn't have a shot and he can only make a good first pass if he has all kinds of time in which to do so.
As for Greene, well you have to focus on something positive, right?;)
I was a huge 77 booster and 37 detractor at the start of the season and then my opinions pretty much reversed by season's end. I keep telling myself that Gilbert was seeing too much ice and was wearing down and I guess we'll see how it shakes out once the '09 season begins.
Heading into last year I said the Oilers needed to have a Bieksa emerge and show himself to be top four worthy and Gilbert did that right down to the offensive numbers and then he even got paid after that season just like Kevin did.
I hope his next season after the money goes better, though. Kevin lost a tonne of time to injury but I think he was struggling in his sophmore season even before that happened.
As for Greene, well you have to focus on something positive, right?;)
I was a huge 77 booster and 37 detractor at the start of the season and then my opinions pretty much reversed by season's end. I keep telling myself that Gilbert was seeing too much ice and was wearing down and I guess we'll see how it shakes out once the '09 season begins.
Heading into last year I said the Oilers needed to have a Bieksa emerge and show himself to be top four worthy and Gilbert did that right down to the offensive numbers and then he even got paid after that season just like Kevin did.
I hope his next season after the money goes better, though. Kevin lost a tonne of time to injury but I think he was struggling in his sophmore season even before that happened.
by Dennis on May 15, 2008 10:20 PM MDT reply actions
I don't think 5's being groomed as a stopper as much as he's being pimped for that role because he doesn't have a shot and he can only make a good first pass if he has all kinds of time in which to do so.
Well, he certainly seemed more agressive than in year one, at least by my memory, and he's playing with Staios on what I assume will be the shutdown tandem going forward. I think his offensive game will come around too- he's still only 22, after all. But than I'm being optimistic.
As for Gilbert and Grebs, I agree totally, and hopefully Gilbert can come out in 08/09 like he started 07/08.
As for Greene, there's still time, but I have serious doubts if he'll turn into someone who helps a team win before the team needs to send someone out. I think he'll be moving on.
Well, he certainly seemed more agressive than in year one, at least by my memory, and he's playing with Staios on what I assume will be the shutdown tandem going forward. I think his offensive game will come around too- he's still only 22, after all. But than I'm being optimistic.
As for Gilbert and Grebs, I agree totally, and hopefully Gilbert can come out in 08/09 like he started 07/08.
As for Greene, there's still time, but I have serious doubts if he'll turn into someone who helps a team win before the team needs to send someone out. I think he'll be moving on.
by Jonathan Willis on May 15, 2008 10:48 PM MDT reply actions
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