If the Wings are looking for a way to jump-start their offense (particularly on the power play), perhaps they should start digging through their old newspapers. I think they had the right idea over the summer. Mike Babcock seems to be fond of putting his former pet (I think he’s recently been edged out by Valterri Filppula in that regard), Jason Williams, on the point during the power play. This is much like deciding to place no one on the point, as Williams rarely manages to keep the puck in the zone. This isn’t a new problem - it happened last season as well. I had thought I wouldn’t have to worry about it this year, however, thanks to Helene St. James of The Freep. In a July article about filling the offensive void (a popular topic this season), she writes:
Williams also could help fill the gap, because with Kronwall healthy, he will take over playing the point, leaving Williams free to roam down low.
Notice she doesn’t say Kronwall might take over the point, she says he will, so that leads me to believe that this is information obtained from the coaching staff rather than mere speculation. So why is Willy still on the point? Not only do they have Kronwall back, but they also signed Danny Markov, who is known for his ability to quarterback a powerplay. What is going on? Who knows, maybe letting Williams play down low would help improve his numbers - as the article seems to imply. In the least, it seems like an easy way to change up a stale power play…
a-fricken-men!!!!!!!
Matt…I absolutely agree. As you know, nothing burns me more than Babcock’s refusal to stray from this experiment of Williams on point. I’m not going to get into all the reasons…ahhh, yes I will.
He can’t gain the zone, and if he does he’s not savvy enough to move laterally to find a passing lane.
His shot is great, but it’s been ineffective. This year? One goal and an assist on the PP. He became Babcock’s man-up boy due to his performance the first three months when he put up 5 goals and 13 assists on the PP up to January 30th.
After that date? 1 goal, 5 assists…and yes, that includes the damn Punch in the Face.
Kronwall, Schneider, Lidstrom, Lebda (hmmm…notice a damn trend?), all would be better on point than Williams. Put him in the slot for one timers if you must use him on the PP. But get him off the blue line.
Two corrections: Sorry Sarah, I thought Matt wrote that.
Second, I was referencing last season when I mentioned the point totals up to January 30th…obviously.
Great post, Sarah.
All having Williams on the point does is reinforce a sense of his uselessness in my mind. I know he’s not useless but when I see him whiffing on clears at the line and making poor decisions with the puck back there, it’s hard not to think he is. He stands out so much more there than he does during 5-on-5 play and it’s not in a good way.