Nichols’ Notes: Net-front mindset drives Simmonds

Wayne Simmonds may well have one of the best ‘highly-effective-to-least-heralded’ ratios in the entire NHL.

His success is driven largely thanks to his willingness to occupy that valuable real estate in front of the net, and this is a quality article outlining the elements of that game.

“You know you’re going to get it,” Simmonds said. “Just got to be set in your mind that you’re going to be able to take it. I know a couple times I’ve caught myself complaining to the ref and he would just look at me and say, ‘You’re the one going to the front of the net. You know what to expect.’ You take that and he’s right. To get to the net and battle you know it’s going to take a little bit of pain, but it’s completely worth it at the end.”

Learning from Ryan Smyth was a key point in the development of that foundational part of Simmonds’ game.

Source: Kimelman/ NHL.com

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Love this quote from Jack Capuano on John Tavares, who trails Patrick Kane by dozens of points in the scoring race:

“I’m never going to prevent him from being creative. I know all those elite players look at their numbers, their point totals and compare…But we need Johnny to play a certain way. Our players look up to him and follow him. If he does the right things, they will, too.” Capuano paused. “And, I tell him that there is a reason he’s always on the Olympic Teams and the World Cup Teams. It’s because he’s versatile, can play centre or wing, and because he plays the right way. Everyone knows it.”

Source: Friedman/ 30 Thoughts

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One of the most anticipated pieces of info to come from the GM meetings was delivered on Wednesday, with a look at how the parameters of a potential expansion draft might – might – look.

Expansion draft potential. Each team has option of protecting 3d, 7F and I goalie or 8 skaters +1 goalie. Expansion determined before draft

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 16, 2016

Other pertinent expansion draft detail: teams must expose enough players which total at least 25 percent of previous season's payroll

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 16, 2016

NHL hasn't decided on players with NMCs being eligible for expansion draft. But expectation is they will not be available for selection

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 16, 2016

Daly says prospects plus first- and second-year NHL players will be exempt from a potential expansion draft.

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 16, 2016

Should clarify: first- and second-year "pros" exempt from potential expansion draft, not necessarily NHL players. Pro includes AHL

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 16, 2016

Daly says most simple thing to know on expansion draft: teams can only lose one player max if it's expansion by one team; 2 player max if 2

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 16, 2016

Bottom line on expansion draft as a few GMs said: each team has potential to lose either a No. 4 or No. 5 D, or a No. 6 or No. 7 F or a G

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 16, 2016

All of the potential scenarios showed today all had one goalie max protection in expansion draft

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 16, 2016

Dreger: "I think we're going to see a flurry of trade activity at the upcoming draft IF the league decides to expand…" 1/2

— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) March 16, 2016

Dreger: "… just to fall in line w/ some of the protection work here that has to get done." 2/2

— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) March 16, 2016

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Interesting read here on concerns from some GMs about the proverbial Patrick Kane loophole when it comes to the salary cap, LTI down the stretch, and the lack of a salary cap for the playoffs.

“It seems to be a counterbalance that you work 82 nights with one financial equation, (and) then on Game 1, there are no financial concerns,” Blues GM Doug Armstrong said. “I’m not sure what the proper answer is.”

Source: Seravalli/ TSN

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The Blackhawks made more trade deadline additions a few weeks ago, putting them in position to make another run for yet another Stanley Cup.

“They are well-managed from top to bottom. They’re well-coached from top to bottom,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “Ultimately, when you have Toews, Kane, Hossa, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson and Corey Crawford, things get settled quickly. Those guys lead the ship, and obviously it’s no doubt Quenneville’s the boss, but these guys go out and perform every night and when the chips are down they find a way to make big plays and score big goals, which helps their team get to the apex of this league. Those guys continually find a way to do it and that’s the making of a great team.”

Source: McDonald/ ESPN

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The Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking to make another deep playoff run, if not win it all, and last spring’s success provided this group valuable lessons.

“You learn what it takes,” Tyler Johnson said. “You have to put everything on the line, every single game. Any team can win a series; it’s pretty unbelievable how close this league is. It’s really a battle of will and effort and it comes down to that last shift. It was a valuable experience for us, that you can’t ‘skill’ your way to the Stanley Cup, it’s really all about effort. We learned that the first series against Detroit and that moulded us for playoff hockey.”

Source: Kennedy/ The Hockey News

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Good look at how the acquisition of Martin Marincin may finally be paying dividends for the Toronto Maple Leafs, which included this detailed explanation of one particular area in which Marincin can be effective.

“Stick detail right around the defensive blueline is huge,” Connor Carrick explained. “You’ve got to be able to create some disruption and create some panic in the offensive player. That’s what you’re always going for. If you don’t get a piece of the puck, at least try to make them move it before they’re 100-per-cent clear on what they’re trying to do.

“The idea is you have such great gap up the entire length of the ice that you are in the attacking player’s mind the entire time. Because this whole league knows you’re always a turnover away from a puck in your own net. That’s what you’re trying to create. The fear.

“You’ve got to create that fear of a turnover in them. If not an actual turnover itself. With his size and his reach, he’s able to do that a little bit sooner than a smaller guy.”

Source: Mirtle/ Globe and Mail

There’s also a Marincin-related note in 30 Thoughts. No. 17.

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Nichols’ Notes runs weekdays, linking you to stories of interest from around the NHL.

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