Hammer, Sifter, Passer
Hammer, Sifter, or Passer: decide what you're going to use at the point
This week's video focuses on the responsibility of a defenseman or high forward at the offensive blue line during offensive zone play when receiving the puck at the point. When creating offense with the puck from the point, you can consider yourself one of three things depending upon the situation. You are a Hammer, Sifter, or Passer. While everyone would like to always be the hammer, most plays from the point require the player to be a sifter or a passer.
In the first clip, Brett Pesce of the Carolina Hurricanes is a Hammer off a low to high puck. His best option is to shoot the puck as hard as he can in the hopes of scoring or creating a rebound for his teammates.
The second clip shows an example of Jeff Petry of the Pittsburgh Penguins as a Sifter. His primary objective is to get the puck beyond the first layer of defense (the shotblocker) and get the puck in the area of the net front with a highly deflectable puck.
In the third clip, Marcus Pettersson is a Passer. He is intentionally "shooting for a teammates' stick" ie Passing to Sidney Crosby who has worked himself into an available position in the high slot while presenting a target for Pettersson to hit for the deflection.
All players should spend time working high in the offensive zone practicing each situation and the skills required as a Hammer, Sifter, or Passer.
