His value was never going to be higher than it was this summer. I was hoping for a trade in the offseason. That said, AA has steps up his game at the dot and has been good defensively. He isn't a bad guy to have on the team, but I think the Hawks need to find the right mix on line 3 and 4 and haven't yet.
- breadbag

I hate saying this but when i see AA on the ice i see Daze, just seems to be going through the motions

I think you're wrong about that - 7 was suckered is all - Keith had to go like hell to even get back - and I am sure that McDavid is smart enough to do some subtle on the fly stuff which is going to give one the impression that he is about to cut over to the RD side - this isn't 'mite stuff' at all -but some major league forward play. And as someone said -he does that to everyone - I saw something similar that I think he did to 77 on Tampa a couple of years ago - where he basically fake lost the puck in some massive deke where the puck went one way around the D and McDavid the other - and bang in the net. And iirc 77 can usually be in the Norris conversations at the end of seasons in many years.

Face it - it was McDavid -- Larry David wouldn't have been able to do that - but Connor? Yeh - it happens - tip your hat -and move on.

Hell note that he only was able to do it once in the game during regulation -so something had to be working - and team just needs a little more offense - because you can't afford to cut things too close with no room for error is all (leastwise in the Edmonton game).
- steve-hist-sdc

We can analyze all we want here. When a recent former NHL'er offers a reasonable analysis, all should listen:

Daniel Carcillo‏Verified account @CarBombBoom13 18h18 hours ago
Replying to @wyshynski
I think we all know as a defenseman we take away the backdoor tap in or easy pass but again, it's a superstar making a special hockey play

Daniel Carcillo‏Verified account @CarBombBoom13 18h18 hours ago
Replying to @wyshynski
Easier said then done. McDavid has too much speed through the neutral, Duncan is in trouble, and the Biscuit is recognizing that.

This was basically my take above and that of some others.

This is how the play unfolded from the point McDavid started carrying the puck. IMO Keith had pinched down to hold the blueline and Seabrook had to keep McDavid in check so that #2 had a chance to get back into position. If Seabrook slides over and opens a hole for McDavid, make no mistake, Keith won't cut him off in time.



At this point what is the reality for Seabrook? He knows the man going down the wing is not going to steam in offside. He knows Keith is in a race to get back into position and he can't give up the middle of the ice.



As the Oilers gain the zone, Seabrook still has to respect McDavid, because Keith doesn't yet have body position. If Seabrook leaves room in the middle, McDavid can cut to the open ice Seabrook leaves.



Seabrook continues to prevent the pass with his stick right in position and McDavid and Keith is still in a vulnerable position where McDavid could just go to the net without Seabrook taking that ice away.



McDavid makes his move and look at the options he has. The team has to respect to two trailing men who are open as well as try to (in a split second) contain whatever individual play McDavid might make. He was lightening quick to turn and get that pass over, that is outstanding skating, balance and skill.

I do think there is something to the play developing from the Oilers zone.



Saad forechecked on Klefbom, who put it in the corner for Larsson. Toews is working on cutting off the boards and moving in on Larsson. Keith is covering Yamamoto. Seabrook is off camera looking after Maroon. Nobody (Panik???) is near McDavid. This is a situation where Seabrook dumped it in and the Hawks are trying to force a turnover, but Panik was playing it like the Hawks had possession. If Panik is closer to the middle of the ice applying pressure, then Larsson is probably forced to try to go up the boards and the Hawks maybe keep the play in the offensive zone. Keith probably should have recognized this and not gone in to hold the play in the zone either.

That's what I see when I look at the play.

I hate saying this but when i see AA on the ice i see Daze, just seems to be going through the motions
- BetweenTheDots

Except Daze was about a million times faster than AA. I think AA looks even a half step slower this year because the team around him is a step faster.

Except Daze was about a million times faster than AA. I think AA looks even a half step slower this year because the team around him is a step faster.
- John Jaeckel

Is that injury from the end of last year 100%? I'm wondering if it is.

Keith did just fine on that play. Seabrook let his man tap in a gimme unchecked.
- ghostofRC

This is pretty much wrong. See the posts immediately above, especially the photographic evidence.

Is that injury from the end of last year 100%? I'm wondering if it is.
- breadbag

That's possible too.

Except Daze was about a million times faster than AA. I think AA looks even a half step slower this year because the team around him is a step faster.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah agree about the speed, but its the effort or the lack of it. I don't know if its his body language i don't know what it is, when i see all the other Hawks i see effort, battling... trying with him i saw his best effort when he was on the 4th line vs the oil, but as a fan i want more

This is how the play unfolded from the point McDavid started carrying the puck. IMO Keith had pinched down to hold the blueline and Seabrook had to keep McDavid in check so that #2 had a chance to get back into position. If Seabrook slides over and opens a hole for McDavid, make no mistake, Keith won't cut him off in time.



At this point what is the reality for Seabrook? He knows the man going down the wing is not going to steam in offside. He knows Keith is in a race to get back into position and he can't give up the middle of the ice.



As the Oilers gain the zone, Seabrook still has to respect McDavid, because Keith doesn't yet have body position. If Seabrook leaves room in the middle, McDavid can cut to the open ice Seabrook leaves.



Seabrook continues to prevent the pass with his stick right in position and McDavid and Keith is still in a vulnerable position where McDavid could just go to the net without Seabrook taking that ice away.



McDavid makes his move and look at the options he has. The team has to respect to two trailing men who are open as well as try to (in a split second) contain whatever individual play McDavid might make. He was lightening quick to turn and get that pass over, that is outstanding skating, balance and skill.

I do think there is something to the play developing from the Oilers zone.



Saad forechecked on Klefbom, who put it in the corner for Larsson. Toews is working on cutting off the boards and moving in on Larsson. Keith is covering Yamamoto. Seabrook is off camera looking after Maroon. Nobody (Panik???) is near McDavid. This is a situation where Seabrook dumped it in and the Hawks are trying to force a turnover, but Panik was playing it like the Hawks had possession. If Panik is closer to the middle of the ice applying pressure, then Larsson is probably forced to try to go up the boards and the Hawks maybe keep the play in the offensive zone. Keith probably should have recognized this and not gone in to hold the play in the zone either.

That's what I see when I look at the play.
- breadbag

Very nice breakdown