"You miss 100% of the shots you never take."

--Wayne Gretzky

We might agree to differ slightly on this philosophical question. After half a century of watching and playing hockey, I've concluded that very seldom do bad things happen when you shoot the puck. It's consistently the best default option, and the maddening hesitancy to shoot that sends fans over the edge can reveal lack of confidence, too much fear of a goalie's ability, getting too cute Trying to Make the Perfect Pass, or being too unselfish. Shooting creates rebounds, deflections to an open teammate, tip-ins, defensive disarray and scrambling, goalie out of position....or the puck might even go in!

In other words, when in doubt, young players out there,....

shoot the puck :)