When I wrote about David Kämpf over the summer, I noted that the defensive-minded center would be at his best playing alongside an explosive rush player. Two months into the season, compariot, friend and linemate Ondřej Kaše is proving to be just that player.
In terms of creating chances, Kaše has simply been the most influential forward in the NHL.
How does Kaše do it?
Simply put, he is able to acquire the puck multiple times in the same offensive sequence.
Multi-Puck Sequences Off the Rush
As a right winger, Kaše isn’t looking to stretch for breakaways from the defensive end. Instead, he posts up, fights his way off the wall, gets the puck into a teammate’s hand, then sprints back into the play as F3.
While many skilled wingers fall for the “get rich quick” scheme of cheating for offense out of the DZ, Kaše stays patient early, then hustles to the next puck.
Against the New York Islanders, TOR25 facilitates a breakout, then fans on a rush chance early in the first period. Two minutes into the third, he scores on a nearly identical play.