The whole team needs to hit, and we always use a rotating 3 forecheck. I saw him so often down in the boards this last game just not competing at 100%. He got lucky once or twice not to take a penalty after taking his hands of the stick.
I think the lazy Russian description is part of the description at this point.
If you think he's lazy, then you really have no idea what you are watching. There really is no other way to say it. You know, sometimes a lack of agression isn't because of laziness. Sometimes it's due to indecisiveness, or a lack of confidence, or just plain playing it safe to avoid mistakes. And sometimes it's a matter of simply picking his spots and knowing when he needs to skate hard and when he needs to slow down and let the play develop.
Artie is NOT lazy. He has been much more physical this year than he was last year. No, he isn't a hitter and he never will be, but he has battled more than he did last year.
What is it about some of you people that you MUST have a scapegoat when the team isn't winning (and sometimes when they are)? Artie was a PPG player in the AHL at 20, the age when most AHL players are rookies. That wasn't by accident. The kid has a high hockey IQ and a ton of skill. When his body catches up to his mind, watch out.
And comparing him to Prust and Boyle, are you serious? Artie only has 1 less point than Boyle, and he has 8 more than Prust. Prust and Artie aren't even remotely the same type of player. Prust is an energy guy who is at best a 30 point player. Artie isn't a hitter, but he's very defensively responsible, so he contributes even when he isn't scoring.
Boyle and Prust are 26. Artie is 22. Last year, Boyle was a waste of a 3rd round pick and this year he's leading the team in goals. Prust was traded from calgary to phoenix, then back to calgary before being traded to us. Neither of those teams found enough value in Prust to keep him.
Within the next 2 years, Artie will be a 60 point, two-way 2nd line center. But right now, like most young players, he's inconsistent offensively. Defensively, and effort-wise, he is very consistent. If he wasn't, you can bet Torts would have sat him down. Hell, last year Torts even said that he thought about sitting Artie down for a bit when he wasn't scoring, but that he was so good defensively that he didn't do it.
AA is our best C, like it or not. He plays against top lines and shuts them down 5-on-5. That is his job. You may critique that part only, because he was not asked to do nothing else as of late. Were losing forwards regularly and someone has to give up scoring in order to let others do it. He is a workhorse, although very young. My only concern is Torts riding him too hard, but that is the only reason he may give in. He is a silent solid performer out there. Those showing aggression are short timers, they got nothing else. This kid is a real deal.
AA has not been that bad. He's been pretty good actually. He may not be contributing offensively but he's been one of the best defensively while having his moments in the offensive zone. Maybe not the offensive dynamo you expected in the beginning of the year but hey, it's his sophomore year... And the way he's playing defensively makes up for anything he's lacking offensively. Not too mention he isn't exactly playing with an offensive line combination. Dubi/Cally are hard working get to the net guys. No room for fancy.
I would imagine a line of AA-EC-MZA would be a pretty entertaining/effective line. But that's assuming AA can play wing.
So being the 6th leading scorer on a team faced with this amount of injuries and offensively challenged players is something to boast at? Hardly.
Nor can you claim 22 as being a clutch, the whole team is around this age. We see others performing.
So Del Zotto, Gilroy, Eminger, Drury, Christensen, and a hand ful of other guys have been healthy scratches and you claim Anisimov deserves no such fate? Doesn't seem to make much sense.
THe whole system with this team is getting garbage goals off deflections and rebounds after battles in the corner. And anisimov has lost his battle edge. One game to think it over and to light a fire under his butt once again would be healthy for all.
Look at the players you just named.
Del Zotto- Horrendous defensively, MIA as a powerplay quarterback when hes been in the game, and in my opinion he has to be one of the slowest skaters on the team. Hes 20 years old and eligible to play in Hartford for this season. He needs time to continue developing and come back next year and try again.
Christensen- He is a headcase who has the offensive talent to really become a producer. Severly inconsistent and is not very responsible defensively.
Drury- Hes been injured most of the season, when he's been healthy hes played. He's only been scratched when he was hurt. He's a shell of his former self.
Eminger- A veteran who is inconsistent. Has played many strong games this season but is in a battle for playing time with Gilroy.
Gilroy- A sophomore who isn't very good in his own end. He doesnt show the offensive flair that got him on the team last year. He has been playing better lately but he still needs to improve his all around game. Battles Eminger for playing time.
Anisimov has a different style of play then what you look for in him. He is not a guy who belongs hitting every guy left and right. He's moreso a playmaker with swift moving hands. He has a solid wrist shot as well. His strong point that has always been his strong point was his defensive awareness. That and his hockey sense. For the most part he knows when to go with it and when to hold back. He is still learning that part so i dont get why you would scratch him. Also realize this, Tortorella is more inclined to scratch guys like Christensen, Drury, Eminger, Gilroy then guys like Anisimov because of their youth and willingness to learn the game and become better. You are rushing judgement on his game lately. He still plays a strong game, hes just not that flashy guy your looking for.
AA has not been that bad. He's been pretty good actually. He may not be contributing offensively but he's been one of the best defensively while having his moments in the offensive zone. Maybe not the offensive dynamo you expected in the beginning of the year but hey, it's his sophomore year... And the way he's playing defensively makes up for anything he's lacking offensively. Not too mention he isn't exactly playing with an offensive line combination. Dubi/Cally are hard working get to the net guys. No room for fancy.
I would imagine a line of AA-EC-MZA would be a pretty entertaining/effective line. But that's assuming AA can play wing.
Exactly which equates to bad (with some people) since it's easier to evaluate a player based on how many pts they have. That's why so many people get so divided on a guy like Zherdev. But with AA it's the oppossite even when he doesn't score he is always doing something good whereas a Zherdev is useless when not scoring...actually a detriment. More to hockey than numbers and pts
There's two extremes on this board. The guys who think everyone who doesn't score 40 goals should be traded and the guys who think every young prospect will eventually turn into Sidney Crosby. I find it hilarious. You know, not every young kid makes it to an All-Star team, right? Glad I'm not a GM.
As for the topic, I'm not in favor of benching Artie because he's struggling, but I am very disappointed in his play over the past few months. His hands are so good, you'd expect a few quality scoring chances per game, but so many games go by where I wonder if he is even in the line-up. And when we're losing every game by one ******* goal, it's maddening. This guy is supposed to be a top 6 forward, and they need offense from him.
I find it hilarious too. Who here has said Anisimov is the next Sidney Crosby? Still looking!
He didn't bench Henrik, the situations are incomparable because The Starter-backup goaltender situation was intended to be one in which Biron got a large number of starts this year.
We have Newbury, an AHLer as a pivot right now. Our 3rd line is made of seemingly randomly assorted parts.
Anisimov has and is one of the top offensive players on this team, and we are a team that does not get goals easily.
Benching Anisimov is not the right move. For him or for the team. You're going to tell a 22 year old who is in no way a liability to the team, but is a starting PK guy, that his improvement has not been good enough to play? Absurd. The reason he doesn't look quick on the Callahan line is because it is his job to be the 3rd man high 99% of the time. It is not his job to go into the corners and hit, and grind. Its his job to get to the net and protect against the counterattack.
Here is a fun stat for the "turnover machine"
He has 7 giveaways all season. For comparison
Prust has 24
Gaborik has 18
Stepan has 16
Anisimov has the 3rd lowest giveways of our starting forwards, the other 2 have missed time (Callahan, Fedotenko)
Anisimov is also first on our team forwards in takeaways with 34
34 takeaways, 7 giveaways. 13 goals and 31 points in 64 games as a 22 year old. This is a player we should be benching.
Agree w/you in strong support of AA.
Need to add to your last sentence, in case it wasn't obvious, to be at less risk of taken out of context...
AA is pretty much the softest forward in the NHL. He loses the puck if you breathe on him. He is indeed a sound defensive player, but that isn't going to cut it if he is a top 2 center. Right now, he is destroying any possibility of offense with Dubi and Cally. For those of you who like the guy (and yes he seems like a good guy), try watching AA in the hockey games without rose-colored glasses. His lack of offense and Charmin-like soft play is one of the reasons why this team is losing. At least Zuc, who also isn't scoring, is setting up multiple scoring chances a game. The biggest issue for me is that you can't teach a guy to be less tentative and more aggressive. He is who he is. That is why he is ultimately expendable IMO.
Well to those people who notice AA's lack of effort you have a clear head. To the others I simply say watch the last few games in rewind, notice his performance near the boards. I've never seen more blatant homerism for such a completely average player, there is nothing special to defend here with this guy. He just needs to grind it out and try and win loose pucks like all his other teammates, he's lost his edge, he's floating too much.
And Emminger has been one of the best d-men on the team. Way better then Gilroy and Del Zotto. I don't get all the boyle bashing either. He's been our best player this year.
If you want to scratch Anisimov sooo badly who do you put in for him? NO ONE we have in Hartford or sitting in the press box would touch what we have in Anisimov. Tortorella is one to believe that these young players need to learn how to play through their struggles. It will eventually play out well. Every player has their weak games, younger players have them a little more as they are still learning the game. There are times that Anisimov does get bumped off the puck a little too easily but then again, the only player i've seen since the lockout who could control the puck regardless of whose against them was Jagr. I dont get how you can say that Anisimov is holding back his linemates. Maybe his WHOLE line hasn't been able to produce that much lately.
And also if Eminger was truly our Best Defenseman this whole year, how come he didn't make the all-star team and also how come he's been scratched so much recently? Take your blinders off and learn to watch how Staal, Girardi, Sauer and McDonagh have taken control of the defensive end. They do soo much more then Eminger, your statement makes me laugh histerically
Well to those people who notice AA's lack of effort you have a clear head. To the others I simply say watch the last few games in rewind, notice his performance near the boards. I've never seen more blatant homerism for such a completely average player, there is nothing special to defend here with this guy. He just needs to grind it out and try and win loose pucks like all his other teammates, he's lost his edge, he's floating too much.
And Emminger has been one of the best d-men on the team. Way better then Gilroy and Del Zotto. I don't get all the boyle bashing either. He's been our best player this year.
Staal, Girardi, Suar then Eminger's been the 4th best dman this year. #4,#97 and #27 really have lots of growing up to do still but they show potential (well gilroy doesn't really as much).
If you don't agree that Emingers been better then these other guys we are really in no position to talk about hockey.
Staal, Girardi, Suar then Eminger's been the 4th best dman this year. #4,#97 and #27 really have lots of growing up to do still but they show potential (well gilroy doesn't really as much).
If you don't agree that Emingers been better then these other guys we are really in no position to talk about hockey.
Yea you have no business talking hockey then. How in the world can you say that Eminger has been better then McDonagh? McDonagh has been playing awesome defense for us the past few weeks yet Eminger is the one who finds himself in the press box. McDonagh plays solid defense, which is what a defenseman needs to worry about first. He makes solid breakout passes, rarely ever gets rattled during games and knows when to take the body. McDonagh is already better then Eminger and he's a few years younger then him already. When a rookie defenseman plays over 20 minutes a game, which is what he's been averaging the past couple of weeks, you know you have something there.
And also you still haven't answered my question as to who you replace Anisimov with if you want to scratch him soo badly? And also from what I remember, Anisimov is also one of our key penalty killers besides prust boyle dubi and cally.
Yea you have no business talking hockey then. How in the world can you say that Eminger has been better then McDonagh? McDonagh has been playing awesome defense for us the past few weeks yet Eminger is the one who finds himself in the press box. McDonagh plays solid defense, which is what a defenseman needs to worry about first. He makes solid breakout passes, rarely ever gets rattled during games and knows when to take the body. McDonagh is already better then Eminger and he's a few years younger then him already. When a rookie defenseman plays over 20 minutes a game, which is what he's been averaging the past couple of weeks, you know you have something there.
And also you still haven't answered my question as to who you replace Anisimov with if you want to scratch him soo badly? And also from what I remember, Anisimov is also one of our key penalty killers besides prust boyle dubi and cally.
Relax, he doesn't know. He wants Anisimov to become Richards (Mike or Brad) or else. For that he suggests benching as if someone can play better by will.
He needs to be benched a few games. He has lost his confidence and his composure. Consistently with his head down with the puck, extremely weak in the corner, not finding open ice, not using his size. Really playing like a coward. He doesn't have the drive the other youngsters are showing at this point in the season.
i dont know man,but i agree,hes been damn near invisible.
The thing is, there are certain players that are very flashy (Gaborik) or that you notice more because they always hit a lot (Cally,Dubi). there are certain players that you dont notice on every play but its the little plays that they make that keep them in the NHL, and that is just the kind of player Anisimov is. He makes the small little plays that helps teams win, yet at the same time he is able to make some flashy plays once in awhile.
The thing is, there are certain players that are very flashy (Gaborik) or that you notice more because they always hit a lot (Cally,Dubi). there are certain players that you dont notice on every play but its the little plays that they make that keep them in the NHL, and that is just the kind of player Anisimov is. He makes the small little plays that helps teams win, yet at the same time he is able to make some flashy plays once in awhile.
Yes and the puck is black and the red line is red.
This is common sense.
The point is Anisimov, over the last few weeks, has not been playing to his own (average) potential. I don't expect him to be someone else. As a(n average) player on a team with a system built to amplify the talents of an average roster of players, he simply needs to participate in the system, he gets no free pass like Gabby does. He isn't participating, rather floating around while people his age and below step up with contributions and sincere efforts.
Granted there aren't a lot of players to step up and fill his (average) role, yet we do need him to at least be his (average) self. So one, two games on the sidelines will hopefully make him angry enough to get back to his (average) self. Right now he is playing way below his (average) potential.
Staal, Girardi, Suar then Eminger's been the 4th best dman this year. #4,#97 and #27 really have lots of growing up to do still but they show potential (well gilroy doesn't really as much).
If you don't agree that Emingers been better then these other guys we are really in no position to talk about hockey.
I simply asked who is trashing Boyle? You're flying off the handle... and to top it off, you're totally incorrect. McDonagh has been hands down better than Eminger. I'll give you Gilroy and Del Zotto, but this isn't breaking news to anyone.
There's two extremes on this board. The guys who think everyone who doesn't score 40 goals should be traded and the guys who think every young prospect will eventually turn into Sidney Crosby. I find it hilarious. You know, not every young kid makes it to an All-Star team, right? Glad I'm not a GM.
As for the topic, I'm not in favor of benching Artie because he's struggling, but I am very disappointed in his play over the past few months. His hands are so good, you'd expect a few quality scoring chances per game, but so many games go by where I wonder if he is even in the line-up. And when we're losing every game by one ******* goal, it's maddening. This guy is supposed to be a top 6 forward, and they need offense from him.
Who is saying AA will turn into a super-star? I saw one person say they thought that he'd be over a 50 point player. Thats less than half of what Crosby is capable of. Nobody thinks he's going to take the game by storm, some people are simply arguing that he's a valuable player to the team even when he isn't scoring consistently.
You bench veterans that know better. You teach kids that are still learning.
This is the best sentence in the entire thread.
The guy is a second year player. Unless something is fundamentally wrong, like with DelZotto, you don't bench second year guys when they are in a down turn. You play them with the expectation that they will learn a little bit of what it takes to play through the downs in a season. It's part of being a pro and 2nd year players simply don't have consistency. Not even Crosby was a consistent sophomore, although his overall production was way higher. Benching simply does not help a situation like this. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with Anisimov's game at the moment. There are certainly aspects of the game to improve, but none are suffering so much that he needs to ride the pine.
He'll remember how to work the boards like he did earlier in the season. He'll remember how to move the puck the way he did earlier in the season. It's not a matter of him thinking the game through, it's a matter of playing through the rough stretch. And in the meantime, he isn't a liability on the ice which is more than you can say about many 2nd year forwards suffering similar issues.
Boyle? The guy isn't a 2 way player. He is much better on the defensive end and his offense is okay, but he has nothing on artie in terms of puck skills and natural ability. Boyle is more of the power forward type. Great along the boards and in front and crashing the net, once you get above the hash marks, Boyle isn't very effective.
Callahan might be better then Artie, but I see Artie has more skill on offense as well. Callahan throws some huge hits and I know he is a strong back checker, but Anisimov reminds me so much of watching Datsyuk in the D zone. If he can match his offense, we might have something we haven't seen on the NYR in a long time.
You might say this quote from me is bashing Boyle, but in fact, it is the truth. Boyle on the perimeter of the offensive zone is no where near as effective as Anisimov. Boyle is great along the boards and in front of the net, besides that he isn't effective in the offensive zone.
They are different kinds of players and you might like the way Boyle plays over Artie, but both are effective in their own way. It's not a matter of who he plays with but Boyle has 11 assists compared to 20 goals. He is a mucker who goes to the front of the net and either bangs in rebounds or gets set up near the goalie for shots. Artie plays more on the perimeter and does a lot more setting up then Boyle and he can score from above the hash marks. Two of his goals come to mind that show Artie has more skill offensively then Boyle, his goal weaving through 4 Pens players and sniping top corner on Brent Johnson and the goal against the Sabres in OT to win the game, wrister from the high slot over the glove. Boyle does not score those, Anisimov can. You can teach players and get them to go to the dirty spots to get goals. It's hard to teach someone to have an effective wrister.
In terms of defense, both are effective, Boyle is more physical, Artie is more positional. You can teach positional hockey and you can either get it or don't get it. Artie has that already, and he is growing into his body. He'll play around 215-220 when it's all said and done and he'll develop a physical game. His stick checking is also something to behold.
I stand by my statement that Artie is hands down a better two way player then Boyle and always will be. Does that mean Boyle is bad at it? No.
You might say this quote from me is bashing Boyle, but in fact, it is the truth. Boyle on the perimeter of the offensive zone is no where near as effective as Anisimov. Boyle is great along the boards and in front of the net, besides that he isn't effective in the offensive zone.
They are different kinds of players and you might like the way Boyle plays over Artie, but both are effective in their own way. It's not a matter of who he plays with but Boyle has 11 assists compared to 20 goals. He is a mucker who goes to the front of the net and either bangs in rebounds or gets set up near the goalie for shots. Artie plays more on the perimeter and does a lot more setting up then Boyle and he can score from above the hash marks. Two of his goals come to mind that show Artie has more skill offensively then Boyle, his goal weaving through 4 Pens players and sniping top corner on Brent Johnson and the goal against the Sabres in OT to win the game, wrister from the high slot over the glove. Boyle does not score those, Anisimov can. You can teach players and get them to go to the dirty spots to get goals. It's hard to teach someone to have an effective wrister.
In terms of defense, both are effective, Boyle is more physical, Artie is more positional. You can teach positional hockey and you can either get it or don't get it. Artie has that already, and he is growing into his body. He'll play around 215-220 when it's all said and done and he'll develop a physical game. His stick checking is also something to behold.
I stand by my statement that Artie is hands down a better two way player then Boyle and always will be. Does that mean Boyle is bad at it? No.
Ok well its fair for people to have their own opinions, I think yours would be in the overwhelming minority considering the years these two players are having.
But coming back to the main point: effort. It's what makes Cally Cally + Dubi Dubi. Its what makes Girardi himself. Its what we appreciate watching Prust and Staal, even Crosby and Ovy. The desperate need to compete. Just seems missing with Artie. Maybe its fatigue at this point. Raw talent really means nothing, its all multiplied by the effort factor. Thats why guys with poor skills become good players and fan favorites, because we appreciate their effort. Thats why "good players" become scapegoats when they dog it.
to your last sentence, in case it wasn't obvious, to be at less risk of taken out of context...
