I think he looked okay, but he basically looked like a clone of Joel Ward. Who knows, maybe that's Trotz's dream, but I worry that any offensive upside Geoffrion may have is going to be stifled by rushing him in unnecessarily.
I really think Klasen should be the one up(when healthy). I know Trotz doesn't like his "attention to detail," but on a scoring starved team, we've got a PPG guy sitting in the minors not getting a shot.
I really think Klasen should be the one up(when healthy). I know Trotz doesn't like his "attention to detail," but on a scoring starved team, we've got a PPG guy sitting in the minors not getting a shot.
I thought he got a shot earlier in the year and didn't perform?
Klasens situation is a catch 22. He won't succeed unless he's on a scoring line but we really can't afford to move anyone down to the fourth line just on the hope that klasen can produce.
Klasens situation is a catch 22. He won't succeed unless he's on a scoring line but we really can't afford to move anyone down to the fourth line just on the hope that klasen can produce.
Bump Wilson down. He's dragging down the line with Legwand and Hornqvist right now, anyway. It's at least worth a shot.
Kostitsyn Fisher Erat
Hornqvist Legwand Klasen
Wilson Spaling Dumont
Halischuk\Tootoo Smithson Ward
Wilson has looked much better the past two games being with Legwand and Hornqvist, he was doing nothing with Smithson and Ward.
He scored a nice goal vs Dallas, but I wouldn't really say he's looked any better, on the whole. It's a matter of maturity rather than skill, but something needs to change. He's puckhogging\hot dogging at every possible opportunity, and as a result, he's become a turnover machine.
He scored a nice goal vs Dallas, but I wouldn't really say he's looked any better, on the whole. It's a matter of maturity rather than skill, but something needs to change. He's puckhogging\hot dogging at every possible opportunity, and as a result, he's become a turnover machine.
Can't see Klasen being much better though. I do agree with you on Wilson, but I'm just not a Klasen fan I guess.
I'd rather have Wilson be creative and lose it. He is exactly what we need, and what others on the team are afraid to do.
He has a bad habit of holding on to the puck way too long and then it is simply taken from him which kills any offensive momentum.
The kid has tons of skill and he's speed is good but not elite. Not nearly explosive enough to beat NHL D-men. He won't ever be a top tier point scorer until he starts using his size and plays a bit more like a power forward. Think Todd Bertuzzi early in his career. He needs to lower his shoulder, be hard on the puck and drive to the net sometimes. Just get the puck to the net. He's way to big to be constantly circling back, trying to beat guys purely on skill which he does way to much.
His strength and size were his selling points when drafted. Not necessarily his wizardry with the puck. We're not seeing any of the former, and way too much of the latter. He can have a teammate wide open entering the zone, but he'd rather try to go around\through the defender. The toe drags and head-fakes may have worked in the NCAA, but it won't work against an NHL defender. He's not being creative, he's stifling the entire line.
I have no idea what games or players some of you have been watching.
I gues when he dove and flicked that puck in, that was hotdogging. Instead of just a good hardworking goal he had to make it fancy and fly through the air first since there was no chance to dangle...
I gues when he dove and flicked that puck in, that was hotdogging. Instead of just a good hardworking goal he had to make it fancy and fly through the air first since there was no chance to dangle...
That was a nice goal never denied he had lots of skill. Your going to tell me he doesn't hang onto the puck far too long though? He absoutley does and it kills offensive momentum at times. Really it's just a young guy trying to figure out what works for him in the NHL. You can tell things comfortable to him that worked for him on college etc. don't work on NHL D-men. He needs to adjust and will eventually I have faith. If he would start playing a little more like a PF and not a perimeter skill guy that would help.
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