Glen Gulutzan made his mark in the NHL by coaching the Edmonton Oilers’ power play for the last seven seasons.
Before Gulutzan arrived in Edmonton, the Oilers had the worst power play in the league, connecting just 14.8% of the time in the 2017-18 season. That was even with both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid on the roster.
But in the seven years that Gulutzan was in charge, the Oilers power play had a 26.8% conversion rate — a league best.
Of the changes he’ll make now taking over as the Stars’ head coach, his special teams adjustments may be among the most intriguing. In the Stars’ 3-2 preseason overtime win over the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, the system was in action with most of its key players for the first time.
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“My first impression was, boy, they can snap it around,” Gulutzan said postgame. “We were missing a couple of pieces. Those aren’t the units in their complete sets. But you can see the beginning of it. I think we’re going to be in a good spot there — two units, guys that can really move it around.”
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The Stars went 0-for-3 with four shots on goal on the power play. His top unit included Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz and Kole Lind (in place of Wyatt Johnston), while his second unit had Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Matt Duchene and Rantanen (in place of Mavrik Bourque). Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen each took turns quarterbacking the top unit.
Gulutzan delegated most of the power play responsibilities to Neil Graham, the new Stars assistant who previously served as head coach of the Texas Stars. But given his expertise, it’s expected that Gulutzan will weigh in with some of his own preferences.
“It’s something building,” Robertson said. “Grammer and Gully are really promoting playing hockey out there.”
After practice Monday, Gulutzan hinted at what some of those may be, particularly how he plans to use both Harley and Heiskanen on the top unit at different times, as seen Tuesday night. Gulutzan said in an 82 game season, he never wants his power play to get stagnant so hopes to mix up personnel at times.
The Stars had a handful of decent chances on the man-advantage Tuesday. Benn hit a post on their second try. Seguin and Harley had a chance on the rush in the third. But Graham and Gulutzan still have some work to do to get their special teams season-ready. Their third power play try was far better than their first two.
After just two days of true power play work, it’s still early. But those within the locker room are hopeful some new voices leading the power play — and allowing Dallas’ talent some freedom — can be a recipe for success.
“You practice lots of things in the offseason. You don’t practice power play,” Seguin said postgame. “Yesterday was day one of a power play movement. But Graham and Gully have been great so far with us understanding what they want so far and also, at times, letting the skill take over. There’s a lot of talented guys playing hockey.”
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