Thoughts after a few games

Faceoffs:

Ever since Federov got hurt, we are getting killed on faceoffs, especially on the PK and Powerplay...

I think one by product of Ruchin getting traded, Krog being let go, and Nieds moving back to center is that we're no longer as strong of a faceoff team... when we lose the faceoffs in either situation, we get bottled up in the PK or lose precious time on the Powerplay...

I hope Burke rectifies this someway.

Puck Possesion

The name of the game now is puck possesion, and I hate it when our players dump the puck in bad situations. As much as possible I'd like to see our players make passes to each other, and really burn the other team.

I noticed that some teams really play super high pressure and we've struggled against them. We need to do a better job of creating space for each other (setting standing screens and creating skating lanes)

Setting up traffic

Why are the ducks the only team in the league that never camps a guy in front of the net? Are our players that afraid of getting hit? Sheesh... enough tip in attempts, screen the damn goalie.

Player Evaluations

Selanne and Perry have been awesome.

Both Nieds are Mr. Everything. I wish we had 5 of each.

Lupul is our best finisher, but needs a guy to set him up.

McDonald looks great, but unless he can keep setting up scoring goals, we need to give his ice time to others.

Sykora looks invisible 5 on 5 but is starting to look great with Scott on powerplay.

I'm also wondering why Ozolinsh has looked bad so far... I'm wondering if we should have kept Halvelid and shipped Ozo instead. I was real excited about our puck movin defense but now... its looking average past Scott.

Hedstrom is starting to look good.

I've been very happy with Dipenta and Marshall, who I thought both would be awful

Carney has been solid.

Salei has been ok, but back to bad penalties and not really showing much value over dipenta despite the big salary difference.

Vish is starting to turn it up, last few games have been amazing.

Federov is AWOL, i need to see a lot more from him before I give up my opinion that Anaheim is a retirement contract.

Rusty is a team-best +6 overall...

Rusty is a team-best +6 overall...
Plus/minus is a highly overrated individual stat. It often means little more than where you were standing when something happened far away from you, or reflects who you normally play with.

Plus/minus is a highly overrated individual stat. It often means little more than where you were standing when something happened far away from you, or reflects who you normally play with.

But with that said, its not meaningless for a guy that plays 21 minutes a night against the other teams better players.

S Niedermayer is only +1
Carney is also +1
Ozolinsh is -3

Why are the ducks the only team in the league that never camps a guy in front of the net? Are our players that afraid of getting hit? Sheesh... enough tip in attempts, screen the damn goalie.

What team have you been watching? We do put a player in front of the net. Our shots and passes don't get through.

But with that said, its not meaningless for a guy that plays 21 minutes a night against the other teams better players. . .
No, it's not entirely meaningless, but its low relevance has nothing to do with how long a player is on the ice. If it's a poor indicator, it is immaterial whether a player has 10, 20, or 30 minutes on the ice. (This is a statistical view).

No, it's not entirely meaningless, but its low relevance has nothing to do with how long a player is on the ice. If it's a poor indicator, it is immaterial whether a player has 10, 20, or 30 minutes on the ice. (This is a statistical view).
I think Vish's +4 reflects his play, way moreso than say Saleis +6.

Carneys -1 does not reflect how well he has played, it's a tricky stat.

I think Salei's done pretty well.