BUFFALO – Jacob Markstrom isn’t interested in joining the debate over the merits of the shootout.
And who can blame him?
Markstrom was the latest netminder to be victimized by Evgeny Kuznetsov’s sloth-like shootout approach, as the Capitals winger out-waited the Flames goaltender on a lengthy attempt that finished with the game-winner Monday in Washington.
A growing discussion has ensued over whether time limits need to be placed on shootout attempts, as well as the usual noise over whether shootouts should be removed altogether.
Asked if he was okay with the way Kuznetsov approached shootouts, Markstrom shrugged.
“I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow,” he said, only to repeat his answer when asked a follow-up question on shootouts in general.
Fair enough.
Dan Vladar said he has no problem with shootouts, nor does he think a shot clock of any kind should be used to limit a player’s dawdling.
“He can do it – obviously it’s tough for a goalie, it’s a mind game more than anything,” said Vladar of Kuznetsov’s endless stickhandling in front of the netminder, waiting for an opening before snapping it home.
“I think Marky did everything he could.
“Obviously he’s a top scorer. That’s his move and he knows how to do it.
“I just hope somebody stops him three times in a row so he doesn’t do it anymore.”
There are currently no rules against a player slowing a shootout attempt to a crawl, as long as he keeps moving the puck forward.
Nikita Zadorov said Europeans partake in shootouts from a young age, which he says explains why Kuznetsov is so good at them.
Yet, the big Russian defenceman believes a shot clock of sorts needs to be implemented on every attempt.
MacKenzie Weegar agrees.
“I like the shootout and seeing guys’ skills, but there’s got to be a time limit on that – we’re all standing around,” he said, before adding, “But, I mean, it works.”
Jonathan Huberdeau and Mikael Backlund are on the other side of the coin, insisting Kuznetsov is well within his rights to take his innovative approach.
“He didn’t break any rules,” said Backlund following practice in Buffalo Wednesday, where they’ll face the Sabres Thursday.
“I heard Marky talking about it and he doesn’t like it, so goalies probably don’t like it.
“But it’s creative of him to come up with that.
“It is slow though.”
The shootout has not been kind to the Flames, as evidenced by their latest loss that saw Huberdeau stopped before both Yegor Sharangovich and Nazem Kadri hit the crossbar and post respectively.
Although only 7.2 per cent of all NHL games were decided by a skills competition last year, the fact that the Flames grabbed only two of a possible seven extra points played a significant role in the Flames falling two points short of the west’s final playoff spot.
They are now 2-6 over the last two seasons in the controlled breakaway event.
Over the last four seasons, they are 5-9.
Flames coach Ryan Huska said he makes his list of shooters based on their shooting history, the type of goalie they are facing and whether a player is moving up in shootout stature based on practice.
It’s not an afterthought.
“We’ve tried to take it to another level here this year and tried to give our guys a little more information on what’s working right now for guys to have success in a shootout, in terms of where the optimal place to shoot is from,” said Huska, explaining goalie coach Jason LaBarbera shows players video and has discussions on the opposing netminder before every game.
“Analytics go so far but without a doubt you have use your gut test.”
A quick peek at the shootout success rate of every current Flame:
Rank | Player | SO G | SO Att | SO% |
T-1 | Dillon Dube | 1 | 2 | 50.0 |
T-1 | Rasmus Andersson | 2 | 4 | 50.0 |
T-1 | Yegor Sharangovich | 3 | 6 | 50.0 |
4 | Noah Hanifin | 1 | 3 | 33.3 |
5 | Jonathan Huberdeau | 22 | 71 | 31.0 |
6 | Blake Coleman | 1 | 4 | 25.0 |
7 | Nazem Kadri | 7 | 36 | 19.4 |
8 | Elias Lindholm | 2 | 13 | 15.4 |
9 | Mikael Backlund | 1 | 13 | 7.7 |
T-10 | Dryden Hunt | 0 | 1 | 0.0 |
T-10 | Adam Ruzicka | 0 | 1 | 0.0 |
T-10 | Andrew Mangiapane | 0 | 4 | 0.0 |
The idea of trying to empower Sharangovich, who has had a tough time finding his way in Calgary so far, makes sense, especially given his success rate in shootouts.
His shot off the crossbar was a rocket.
Huberdeau and Kadri have plenty of experience, which also makes them logical shooters.
That said, Dube has impressed in several practice shootouts and probably deserves a shot soon.
The same could be said for Matt Coronato, a natural goal scorer with a deadly release who took shootouts in the USHL, and a few at Harvard.
And then there is Rasmus Andersson who had two beauty shootout finishes last year.
“I’m going next – that’s what I heard,” joked Zadorov.
No one was laughing Monday except Capitals coach Spencer Carbery.
“I saw it on the other side (as a Leafs assistant) with a stick twirl, which I did not take too kindly to,” he smiled.
“This is the first time I’ve seen it on the home bench and I was very happy to see it.
“It’s a sight, if you have not seen the speed of that shootout shot.”
