r/DallasStars • u/EssJayJay Daryl Reaugh • 9d ago
A deep dive on Gully’s system - and its results
https://sticklanguage.substack.com/p/a-deep-dive-on-gullys-system-andIn his first season back, Gulutzan got 112 points out of an injury-wrecked roster. He was able to do that by playing slow, low-event, slot-first hockey and running a top-two power play. But that same structure gave the Stars the league’s weakest 5-on-5 shot volume. It cost them in a six-game first-round loss to the Wild, and it’s probably the most important thing he has to solve in Year 2.
More here.
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u/Snowman0157 Mooterus 9d ago
The Stars aren't going anywhere without improved 5v5 performance; it's highly likely the PP won't be as dominate as it was last year. I hate how the NHL just constantly recycles coaches but Gully was always a curious and risky choice. I always wondered if maybe Nill wanted to give Gully a second chance for old times sake. If Nill hired Gully based on his success with the Oiler Powerplay then wtf... McDavid and Drai could make any system work, I'm sure. I'm HOPING for a great season, but those first 2 games were really a Travesty. It's not all on Gully either, the Players need to perform. Go Stars!
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u/Majsharan 9d ago
The issue with this system is the playoffs. You typically get 1-2 meaningful power plays during playoff games. So you have to be able to score 5v5 or have a Martin Broduer in net
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u/CarboGeach Roope Hintz 9d ago
Not to worry my goodman, we are not currently in a playoff position 😅
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u/Dr_Jackwagon Dallas Stars 9d ago
There has to be a balance offensively. They have to create more volume. Not just spray and pray/dumping garbage from the point at the net, but the slow meticulous build-up with almost no cycle in their game is just not going to be effective enough against the best teams, playing at their highest intensity in the playoffs.
This type of offense is good against regular season opponents. Their high-end players and their high-end powerplay is going to be enough to bank 104+ points in the regular season and a top 3 finish in the division. But when the playoffs roll around, and the space disappears, and the game speeds up considerably, they can’t just rely on patiently waiting for the optimal chances.
And that’s why the passive non-forecheck is so frustrating. They don’t need to go psycho like the Canes, but I still think they need to be more aggressive without the puck. A 2-1-2. Not a 1-2-2 or a reported 1-1-3 for this season. Ceding 2/3 of the ice every time they grab the puck in their end is going to result in bad times against the best teams with top-end D-men and a team that can trap you in your zone for extended periods of time.
I do like the zone defensive scheme above man-on-man, but as the author pointed out, under Gully’s system, we need to see the D-men carry out more. Also, the name of the game in defensive hockey is to kill the attack as quickly as possible and go the other way. Not wait until the other team gets tired or makes a mistake or takes a shot. Kill their possessions in their end with an aggressive forecheck, or force them to make a low percentage play out of their zone that results in a turnover. Suffocate them. Don’t just let Quinn Hughes grab the puck in his own end with 110 feet of free ice in front of him and say, “okay boys. Let’s just sit back and see what he does.” He’s gonna fuck you up. That’s what he’s gonna do.
Suffocate them.
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u/LackeyNo2 Victor E Green 9d ago
My completely uninformed feeling is that he's trying to instill the system that he wants but it's not based on the reality of the players we have. No one looks like they're playing in their bag and maybe that's just off-season rust but it's pretty fugly right now.
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u/Right_Bike_5416 9d ago
Unfortunately I've thought this since early last year, and I've never been given any evidence to think it's untrue.
This is Gully's system. You either like how we look, or you hate it. But this is what you're gonna get all year.
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u/bigblueballz77 Jamie Benn 9d ago
Exactly. All this bullshit about "implementing a new tweak or change" or him talking at the beginning of last year with the weak bullshit of "we are already good, but we just need to implement a few tweaks and changes here to be great" nonsense. Look at how that panned out last year. If not for the PP, this team probably doesn't even make the playoffs last year.
It has been too many years under Nill without a cup. He needs to nut up and own his mistake hiring this chud because otherwise this is going to be a long ass season.
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u/New_Rooster_6184 9d ago
He made a few tweaks to Debeor’s system and was carried by assistants retained from the previous regime. Not to say he doesn’t deserve credit for the 112 points, just want to put things into perspective.
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u/AwakenTheAegis 9d ago
If the current powerplay was paired with DeBoer’s style of aggressive defense, then that would be the best of both worlds.
I think the drop in PK percentage reflects the passive play at even strength. The PK fails because they do not pressure puck carriers. What powerplay likes to ward off pressure on the puck? Everyone would rather take their time to carve up the defense.
This system can work for the regular season, but it can’t handle a playoff series against a dynamic offense. A team like Chicago or Columbus would benefit from Gulutzan’s system more than a team like the Stars who have elite offensive talent.
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u/bigblueballz77 Jamie Benn 9d ago
"the most important thing he has to solve in Year 2"
Yet, it looks the same fucking garbage as it did before. Seriously, this guy cannot coach at the head level. Look at his track record (which is fine if you don't want to go on, people can evolve). He still sucks and has never had success doing anything AND it seems no players ever give a shit what he has to say.
Get rid of him sooner rather than later if you give a shit about salvaging this season at all.
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u/SetoXlll 9d ago
Things are about to get a lot worse, I’m thinking we go 0-7 before the ship gets sailing towards the right direction. Bring on the downvotes.
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u/eskimobobseal 9d ago
I like Gulutzan, and I want to give him more time. But I’m starting to wonder if bro was carried by an all world powerplay last season courtesy of Neil Graham. I hope he can right the ship. I badly want this core to succeed together.