Sportsnet’s Andrew Berkshire took a look at Mike Green’s trade value from an analytical standpoint:
At even strength, Green is still better than average in generating scoring chances for his teammates, though he’s not as slick of a passer under pressure as he used to be. His main contributions to offence at 5-on-5 are his ability to enter the zone cleanly with the puck, and improve shot quality by completing offensive zone dekes that open up lanes for better passes and shots.
Where Green truly separates himself, though, is on the power play. He is about 80th among defencemen in creating scoring chances at even strength, but on the power play he’s first in the NHL at his position, and sixth overall including forwards. He’s an absolute force on the man advantage.
That little bit of extra space makes all the difference, and Green’s playmaking ability goes from decent to off the charts.
You could argue having a defenceman who’s that involved on your power play reduces the overall shot quality a bit: the Predators were an example of this last season and the Red Wings have the 18th-best power play this season. But on a better team Green would accentuate an already-existing unit and wouldn’t be tasked with running it, — though he could if the team wanted.
Green may not be at his peak anymore, but most teams could use the skill set he adds and the defensive risk associated with him has always been overblown. Assuming you’re not selling off your top prospect to get him, Green is a very attractive option for any team that wants to add offence, especially if they have trouble gaining the zone with control.
“…but on the power play he’s first in the NHL at his position, and sixth overall including forwards. He’s an absolute force on the man advantage.”
Is this why the 2nd unit is considered the better unit?
On the PP, Green has no rivals…except his own teammates Kronwall who controlled the #1 PP unti for most of Green’s 3 years with the Red Wings. Solid coaching decision there Blash!
I’ve always assumed that Kronwall’s decision to constantly drop pass the puck at center ice is some sort of ingrained instinct that is a hold-over from the Pavel Datsyuk era…
In all honesty, I think both power plays are terrible. Their “entries” consist of trying to send one player into a 4-opponent wall as the rest of the skaters stand around, they’re stationary in the offensive zone and their passing is almost always focused upon funneling pucks back to the point…
When we don’t have Pavel, Homer, or Nick any more. It’s still a Holmstrom-Lidstrom power play, at least in terms of its instincts, and that has to change. That’s up to the players as much as the coaches.
Agree George. The personnel isn’t great. But the scheme is downright awful, and has been for years. I’m not sure it’s fair to pin this on the players though. When playing for a coach that goes on and on and on about the process…I highly doubt the guys on the PP have much freedom to deviate from their “gameplan”. Personally I don’t understand the fear in changing the units. Use PP time to send a message. Like if a guy like Tatar is invisible one night, tap David Booth to take his place on the PP. If Kronwall keeps turning it over, then doubleshift Green or give Daley or Jensen a shift. The PP shouldn’t be so rigid but more instinctual. I hope the next coaching staff includes a solid PP guy. Vancouver had the 29th ranked PP last season. They specifically went out and hired Newell Brown who has had PP success in a couple of different places. Today, the Canucks are 6th in the NHL. Hmm, nice hire! Why didn’t Kenny hire Brown to help our PP? He used to coach Adirondack. Oh well. Being a GM must be hard.
Kronwall is good on the PP. He is great at holding the line.
Overall, both units are bad. But thats not on Kronwall.