I know it’s not all Russian wingers, but a lot of top Russian wingers typically play on their offside. Only other top guys in the league I can think of who plays on their offside are forsberg and that’s kinda it. I’m including other Russians who do play on their on side but there’s not as much top talent that plays on their on side. These are all of the Russian wingers. U can see more RW play on their offside but that’s expected cuz more left handed shooters are in the NHL. Anybody know the exact reason why this is a thing? Is it taught differently in Russia and a lot of players play on their offside? 5/6 Russian right shot wingers under contract right now are left wingers. 8/15 left shot wingers under contract are right wingers. Idk Russia
If I were to guess, it’s probably for easier one timers. I’ve always seen it as a thing snipers do (like Caufield on my Habs), but it’s definitely true that there’s particularly a lot of russian wingers are doing it
The 5v5 game is a more fluid F1, F2, and F3 and cycle/rotate in the o-zone than a LW/RW staying on their half of the ice.
Here is Kaprizov's 5v5 shot map from last season.
Playing an offhand spot on the PP is nothing new. It opens up more of the net and makes 1-timers easier. PP's also tend to be more of a rigid setup where players stay home and they run set plays.
better shooting options. the puck is that much closer to center ice giving you a better angle. opens up the one timer too. the downside is you can't use your body to protect the puck.
A large portion of wingers play on their off hand. It is definitely not limited to or majority Russian players. Its because it allows them to have a more direct shot on net
better shooting options. the puck is that much closer to center ice giving you a better angle. opens up the one timer too. the downside is you can't use your body to protect the puck.
That’s what u thought, playing on the offside doesn’t allow you to protect the puck as well. For more lethal scorers it most likely doesn’t matter because a lot of the time a center will drive play or the opposite winger will drive play. Almost every guy on this list that plays on their offside are scorers. If you look at a kaprizov or a svechnikov or even an Amirov (not at the NHL level yet ofc) they drive play a lot more for their team. Personally seeing a lot of svechnikov, he is a scorer who can pass very efficiently. Depending on his line depends on how much he drives play himself, with aho, he and the line mates split it evenly probably favoring aho more, 2nd line he probably drives it slightly more and when he gets put on the third line, he drives play almost all by himself. I’d definitely say it’s more of a play driving thing but at the same time you have both panarin and kucherov as some of the best play drivers in the league so honestly it’s very confusing. I’d assume it’s because they are so good, they can have the best of both worlds and get more efficient shot opportunities and also drive play extremely well.
That’s what u thought, playing on the offside doesn’t allow you to protect the puck as well. For more lethal scorers it most likely doesn’t matter because a lot of the time a center will drive play or the opposite winger will drive play. Almost every guy on this list that plays on their offside are scorers. If you look at a kaprizov or a svechnikov or even an Amirov (not at the NHL level yet ofc) they drive play a lot more for their team. Personally seeing a lot of svechnikov, he is a scorer who can pass very efficiently. Depending on his line depends on how much he drives play himself, with aho, he and the line mates split it evenly probably favoring aho more, 2nd line he probably drives it slightly more and when he gets put on the third line, he drives play almost all by himself. I’d definitely say it’s more of a play driving thing but at the same time you have both panarin and kucherov as some of the best play drivers in the league so honestly it’s very confusing. I’d assume it’s because they are so good, they can have the best of both worlds and get more efficient shot opportunities and also drive play extremely well.
Like you said there are more lefties than righties so naturally there's going to be LH RWs who drive plays like Kucherov or Kane. As for Panarin and Kaprizov, they are very strong skaters. I remember seeing clips where they were showing how Panarin turns to receive passes on his forehand in the neutral zone when he's receiving a break out pass. Not sure if Kaprizov does the same but like mentioned above, he's skating all over the ice, sometimes he just goes in circles around the perimeter.
Was lucky to find an example, first clip of this highlight reel, you see that he opens up to the pass and receives the puck on his forehand (like a LH player would) instead of backhand (which is harder when receiving break out passes)
James Neal talked.about moving to his off hand changed his career. Much different and better shooting angles when your stick is in the middle of the ice.
He talks about it here: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/james-neal-predators-sniper