Laviolette’s “Total Hockey” system working as postion-less hockey for the Rangers

10 comments

1. Some more of Laviolette’s system here. Basically it’s position-less hockey and a constant cycle. So when a D joins the rush/goes in deep, a F will circle back and fill the gap. It makes for more open offense and creativity without sacrificing defense.

   It demands buy-in on the backcheck from the Fs, something we didn’t see under Gallant, Quinn, or AV.

   It is also the best use of the skill up and down the lineup.

   EDIT: Don’t like to do self promos, but I know this kind of systems content has been requested.

2. Nice read and thanks for posting!

   I’ll be totally honest and say I was less than thrilled when the news came out that we hired Laviolette, but I will be the first to say he has shut me up and I couldn’t be happier that I was wrong.

   Kudos to the players for buying in (early season success certainly helps with the buy in process). It seems like the feedback from the players at the end of the season was that they felt like they weren’t being coached under Gallant, which was a big part in him being let go. Glad to see the players were true to their words and really have embraced learning a new system.

   When healthy, there is enough goal scoring in the lineup to win games, if they play responsible defensively (along with the high end goaltending we expect from a healthy Shesty). It’s a long season, but as we approach the quarter mark of the season I think they can compete with anyone based on what I have seen so far.

   LGR!!!

3. I dig how stoic and soft spoken he is in pressers, too.
   Gallant always seemed like his was gritting his teeth and sort of resented having to deal with the press, especially after losses. “It’s fine, I liked the way we played, blah blah”

4. If anyone follows soccer, the system is tantamount to Barcelona and the Netherlands soccer philosophy, developed as “Total Football” by Johan Cruyff, the godfather of modern soccer tactics. Same concept. All players flow in a symphony which allows teams to be structured yet free.

   All players must buy in and be on same page.

5. This is a great direction. When the rangers offense starts stagnating, especially on the power play, you can see the players just sit in their spots, and there’s 0 off-puck movement, and the defense can easily block off passing and shooting lanes, because they know exactly where all the players are without even looking.

   With this system, hopefully the players will be more mindful to be constantly shifting positions to confuse the defense, and be more defensively aware and position accordingly, when they see a defenseman deeper in the zone, and not just sit around and watch the puck go to Zibanejad for the left circle one-timer, which most half decent teams had already developed strategies to shut down probably around the all-star break last season.

6. Pretty sure this style is a big factor in the success of the Bread-Laffy pairing. It feels to me like they switch sides alot more than others. Dont know if its Panarin ”covering” for Laffy because he favours the left side, or if this criss-cross playstyle just works really well for them so they just run with it.

7. So you’re saying, hypothetically, Igor could, in theory, join the rush?

8. Someone watched Ted Lasso during the off season and had an epiphany

9. The link you provided in the article to Naturalstattrick says Miller-Troubs have a HDCA% of 50%.

10. Sounds like lav watched Ted lasso in the off season 😂😂. Or maybe confidence, idk but it’s fun to watch!