I am actually looking forward to seeing Babs tee off from the blueline on that 2nd PP unit.
Unfortunately, Laviolette will likely play Babchuk on the right side on the PP. The only time he plays pointmen on their off-sides is if they are paired with someone with the same handedness (like with Whitney in that video).
Very true. Which is why Sheldon Souray & Andrei Markov were so dynamic 2 seasons ago when Souray kicked the can for 26 goals (19 PP). Both being left handed shots, it was a match made in heaven on the PP. Markov could dish Souray the puck all night long on the PP.
However, if Babchuk is going to be on the PP, I think it is important to use his shot. Having that heavy shot from the point can be a tremendous boost to the PP, especially having that on the #2 PP. However, to do so would involve having a left handed shot back there, like you stated in Whitney, and that has to be someone who can dish a clever pass for Babchuk to get it off. So here is something I wouldn't mind seeing to start off the season on the PP to see if it can click.
I think all-around this gives us great opportunity. Both PP are pretty loaded up. It is evident that we are going to use the #1 PP as much as we possibly can.
With Samsonov, Staal & Eaves on the ice, you get a good mix of everything there. Hard work along the boards, an eye for the net along with key pivots on the back end in Corvo & Pitkanen which in return should be the big difference maker here. Both Corvo & Pitkanen are set up on sides where they can get the puck off and straight to the net. Both should make a tremendous combination. Which is also why I think it isn't a necessity that Whitney is on that unit.
As much as Whitney would be effective on the first unit down low, I think giving Eaves that opportunity to shine with Samsonov & Staal will or could prove to be very beneficial. I truly want to see us give Eaves the opportunity we once gave a young man named Justin Williams and he developed tremendously. Like I said the day we got Eaves, he reminds me of Williams when he arrived in so many ways.
On the second unit I have Whitney on the point to be the set up man for Babchuk's cannon from the point. As much as I love Whitney down low, I want to try and shift it around in order to get that shot from the point. Having Cullen work in towards the net could be a good thing. Throw Brindy in there and 9 times out of 10 we'll hopefully win the draw, resulting in a heavy shot from Babchuk. With Ruutu on that unit, he adds a good element. He can produce a pretty accurate shot from close range and will be a good guy to have along the boards to keep the puck in and the cycle going. Add to that, he'll plant himself infront of the net and collect his shair of garbage goals that Babchuk fires his way.
All in all, I think these 2 units could be highly successful. However, that is just one set up/combination of the Powerplay I'd like to see. We're in a good position in terms of we have that depth where we can try different things and see what clicks. So it will most certainly be interesting to see who fits in where and who meshes well with who. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out as I see us in the top 10 in the league for PP rankings.
