Quote:
Originally Posted by neofury
Agreed. Anyone who actually thinks DD is a competent 2nd line C is simply looking at the stat sheet only. His wingers make him a lot more productive than he is. No denying he has the skill to step up and play in a 2nd line role but would never want him there as a permanent fixture. I still see him as more of a 3rd line center on a team that has 3 scoring lines. I still think Eller should be given more ice time with him but DD wouldn't be nearly as successful if he had Kostitsyn/Moen versus Cole/Pacioretty. Not only that he'd be getting 3-4 minutes a game less.
People need to factor in who he plays with, two of our best forwards. Who makes space for DD? Cole and Pacioretty. Who puts the puck in the net? Cole and Pacioretty. Put him with Moen/Kostitsyn, he won't be the same guy he is. At the end of the day I'm really happy for DD but anyone who thinks he's going to be a permanent top 2 center is dreaming imo. We tried signing Richards in the summer, obviously our management knows what a real top 2 centers looks like in Richards/Plekanec. Somehow Plekanec/Desharnais doesn't look like a real 1-2 punch.
I hope I'm wrong and he can continue developing, getting better and become a real 2nd line center I just have my doubts. I think Eller has all the tools and if he can pull a Pacioretty he'll no doubt be the 2nd line center we covet.
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Lolwut? Anyone who says that DD is a product of Cole and Patches just simply isn't watching the game. DD's the straw that stirs that drink. All Patches and Cole have to do is be in position. Half the time they whiff on the passes that DD sends right through the crease for them.
Also, he was producing at this same clip last year when playing with Moen, Pyatt, Darche et al. Not exactly star-studded company.