Quote:
Originally Posted by DrDoom
I thought this was a pretty good assessment. I happen to agree with the tendency to disappear for far too long...the streakiness is getting harder to accept with each passing year
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Agreed.....When I mentioned this during the series though, I got blasted. Is everyone blasting Metzler as well????
Only thing I somewhat disagree with is his comments on Briere, a bit off topic from the OP..Yes, Leino and Hartnell came alive, but you can argue that had as much to do with them playing with Briere as Briere's performance had to do with them? Briere was playing very well before that line was put together. Also, as I have been saying for years, and as Briere confirmed a week or so ago, he is more comfortable playing center than wing. And when he did play wing this past season it was with Carter who is not the kind of player he fits well with. He needs guys "skilled" guys that can play a give and go game in the offensive zone like Pominville in Buffalo, Prospal a couple years ago and now Leino....having someone like Hecht/Hartnell to do the dirty work on the other side. I think that line just all complemented each other very well.
Briere needs those skilled guys....He hasnt had that his three seasons here other than his short time playing with Giroux in last season's playoffs in which he played very well. My opinion is, he either plays at center with Leino and Hartnell (assuming they are all here) or if he is on the wing, it is with Giroux at center.