Question about positions: LW vs. RW.

[Guest blueadams]

Forgive me, I didn't play hockey as a youngster (damn parents). I only started playing in a men's league a couple of years ago. And this is something I have never really understood about hockey - who is best suited for left-wing, and why!? And who is best suited for right-wing, and why!?

I understand that in our Detroit Red Wings system, our center has a lot of defensive responsibilities, so he usually has to be a very strong skater/good face-off man. But I've never really understood the distinction between left and right wing.

One of my teammates once told me that right-handed shooters are usually best on the left side. But all of the right-handed wings I can remember, Sammy, Williams, Eaves, and Maltby (for the most part) have all played on the right wing.

Can someone fill me in on this!?

[titanium2 867]

This site lists a player's primary forward position along with others they may play from time to time.

http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?943

[ceebs 2]

Forgive me, I didn't play hockey as a youngster (damn parents). I only started playing in a men's league a couple of years ago. And this is something I have never really understood about hockey - who is best suited for left-wing, and why!? And who is best suited for right-wing, and why!?

I understand that in our Detroit Red Wings system, our center has a lot of defensive responsibilities, so he usually has to be a very strong skater/good face-off man. But I've never really understood the distinction between left and right wing.

One of my teammates once told me that right-handed shooters are usually best on the left side. But all of the right-handed wings I can remember, Sammy, Williams, Eaves, and Maltby (for the most part) have all played on the right wing.

Can someone fill me in on this!?

For a lot of players it's a personal preference. Right players playing on the right side (and left on the left) will have an easier time breaking out of their zone and it is generally easier to make and receive passes when you are playing the same side as you shoot.

Players playing on their opposite wing will have an advantage offensively. While shooting their sticks will be in the center of the ice, instead of by the boards, generating a better shooting angle. Shanny was a good example of this as he scored many of his goals shooting off the rush as he was on your off wing. Also one timers are much easier on your off wing.

So in general it is much easier to play on the same wing you shoot and there are defensive advantages while playing on your off wing makes making and recieving passes a bit more difficult but you are in a better position to shoot/make plays in the offensive zone.

Edited February 6, 2010 by ceebs

[titanium2 867]

Players playing on their opposite wing will have an advantage offensively. While shooting their sticks will be in the center of the ice, instead of by the boards, generating a better shooting angle. Shanny was a good example of this as he scored many of his goals shooting off the rush as he was on your off wing. Also one timers are much easier on your off wing.

If I'm Team Russia, I'll definitely put Ovechkin and Kovalchuk on separate lines because I definitely want those two skating on their off wing.

[FireCaptain 563]

Your link is a link to Bertuzzi's profile on that site, not positions.

This site lists a player's primary forward position along with others they may play from time to time.

http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?943

[Finnish Wing 110]

Guys like Kovalchuk and Ovechkin want to play on the "wrong" wing to get better angle shots and one-timer opportunities.

[titanium2 867]

Your link is a link to Bertuzzi's profile on that site, not positions.

If you click on each player's separate profile page, they list the different positions they've played.

Patrick Eaves, primarily a RW but has played LW

http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?3484

Dan Cleary, primarily a LW but has played RW

http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?1064

Drew Miller, generally a W but has played C

http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?3421

Pavel Datsyuk, primarily a C but has played LW

http://forecaster.canada.com/faceoff/hockey/player.cgi?2049

and such and such.

[cupforwings 138]

If I am on a two on one, then playing my off wing can be better for a one-timer and getting a good shot off... but if your not in that position it can be more difficult to be in the right position to get the shot off because your stick is in the middle and it is easier for the defender to poke check or block your shot...

On the wings, pretty much every player is left handed so they have to have some leftys playing on the right side.

[Kwame_Kilpatrick 0]

it doesnt really matter, it depends on your style of play. the red wings have more leftys than rightys so usually we put leftys on the right but it doest really matter, for example phil kessel for toronto plays on the left but he is right handed, he does this on the power play so he can improve his angle when shooting. usually this is why people will switch to their off side, but alot of players prefer to play with their stick closer to the boards so that it is harder to take the puck away and so they can tie up a defender on face offs. also almost all defenders will play on the right if they are right handed and vice versa because if the puck rolls up the boards its much easier to control it, otherwise you will have to use your foot or backhand and it puts you in a bad position with your body

[Guest blueadams]

Thank you very much for all the responses...

For the most part, it sounds like a player will only play on his 'off-wing' if he has a great shot, and/or plays in an offensive minded system. But for puck movement purposes, it is better to not play on your 'off-wing.'

Here's something that doesn't really make sense to me though. Look at our usual right-wings:

Holmstrom (L)

Cleary (L)

Williams ®

Eaves ®

Maltby ®

Since when do Holmstrom and Cleary have dangerous shots that make them good 'off-wingers'??

[SweWings 45]

Real men play defence.

Real men get drunk and never leave the couch.... right?

[BeeRYCE 2]

When I played hockey, I preferred LW as a right hander to get that better angle shot. I actually never understood the purpose of lefties playing LW and righties playing RW... All in the sole purpose that coming from the side you shoot, gives you virtually nothing to shoot at, and the only way you're making a great play is if you toedrag it deep in the zone everytime. I guess you can get good passes off from that angle though.

[Kwame_Kilpatrick 0]

yes passing is much harder on the off wing