Didnt Sami have a really slow start to? if he hadn't gotten injured, would he possibly be having a historically great season in the Finnish League?
The whole team was bad during the first games of the season but they started playing better pretty soon. Pekka Rautakallio had 25+28=53 points during 1978-79 season. I don't think that Sami could have passed that record.
Statline: 0+1, +1, 6 shots on goal and 19.05 minutes of icetime.
The most impressive thing aside from a nice between the legs-deke was that Sami draw 3 penalties with his speed. He was very dangerous on the PP too. He had a few small mistakes though, but they are bound to happen when you have the puck so much.
The whole team is on fire, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go all the way in the playoffs. I would love to see Sami win the Sm-Liiga championship.
Edit. Vatanen sits now at 32 points, so he broke his point record from last season in 10 less games.
Statline: 0+1, +1, 6 shots on goal and 19.05 minutes of icetime.
The most impressive thing aside from a nice between the legs-deke was that Sami draw 3 penalties with his speed. He was very dangerous on the PP too. He had a few small mistakes though, but they are bound to happen when you have the puck so much.
The whole team is on fire, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go all the way in the playoffs. I would love to see Sami win the Sm-Liiga championship.
Edit. Vatanen sits now at 32 points, so he broke his point record from last season in 10 less games.
Will Sami compare to someone like Tobi Enstrom? Someone that will have to use a good stick and play great positional hockey to succeed in the NHL? I think Sami's potential is > Enstrom because he has a bomb of a shot, but his development will be dependent on if he can transfer his game over to NA.
Pretty good, didn't notice him being out of position at all. The small mistake he made was a turnover in his own zone, but it didn't lead to a goal or even a good scoring chance.
Will Sami compare to someone like Tobi Enstrom? Someone that will have to use a good stick and play great positional hockey to succeed in the NHL? I think Sami's potential is > Enstrom because he has a bomb of a shot, but his development will be dependent on if he can transfer his game over to NA.
Enström is a quite good comparison. I think Toby is a bit better defensively and a better passer but Sami has the potential to score more goals. Not only has he a great shot but he likes to use it a lot. I think he has the potential to score 15+ or even 20+ goals in the NHL someday. I know, that's a lot for a defenseman, but he has the potential to do it.
assuming Vatanen and Trouba make it (definition of doubtful) that would be the fastest blueline in the NHL.
The problem with that blue line is the defense. Fowler has made huge leaps in that category, and Sbisa is solid, but the rest of that blue line doesn't really fill me with a ton of confidence defensively. There needs to be more balance.
The problem with that blue line is the defense. Fowler has made huge leaps in that category, and Sbisa is solid, but the rest of that blue line doesn't really fill me with a ton of confidence defensively. There needs to be more balance.
Well, Visnovsky won't likely be around past next year, and factor Mat Clark in as well. Add in Beauchemin, and if Vatanen and Schultz develop well, wow. Might not be the fastest, but damn that'd be a stacked D.
Vatanen might be injured (is playing injured) or his mental strength is gone. Two weeks ago he was outstanding. Now he jaws referees, cant skate, cant defend and lost his ability make scores.
Vatanen might be injured (is playing injured) or his mental strength is gone. Two weeks ago he was outstanding. Now he jaws referees, cant skate, cant defend and lost his ability make scores.
DONT expect this guy to be savior for the ducks
No one expects him to be the savior and not that the Ducks even need saving. What are you even talking about?
Also if he's playing injured, it probably explains why he plays badly. And just because he has been bad for two weeks doesn't make him a bust. Mikael "Finnish Golden Boy" Granlund has been bad since WJC ended two months ago and I can't see Wild fans shopping him away. Fowler has had some troubles this season but no one's giving up on him.
Vatanen might be injured (is playing injured) or his mental strength is gone. Two weeks ago he was outstanding. Now he jaws referees, cant skate, cant defend and lost his ability make scores.
DONT expect this guy to be savior for the ducks
You might be overreacting a bit, don't you think? The whole team has been bad for the last few games, and I don't think Sami has been that bad honestly. He does whine to the refs sometimes but Selänne does that too.
Sami Vatanen with four assists in the game today against Lukko so it's 16 points in the 11 games since the injury (he was out for one and a half months). Over point per game play is unseen for a defenseman in FEL if I have understood it right. And the league has seen talents like Timonen, Numminen etc. Besides the whole JYP has played bad the last games. So I wouldn't call him a bust just yet.
EDIT: just got the assist on the game winner so 0+4. That makes him a point per game player since fourth of October.
Sami Vatanen 0+4 +3 today. This kid is the best player in the league and Finland hasn't never seen this kind of domination from defender. He will be star in NHL.
Imo he was already the best defenseman in the league when the season started, and he's managed to bump it up a notch. One notch upwards from here and voila, a very good NHL defenseman.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JYP88
Vatanen might be injured (is playing injured) or his mental strength is gone. Two weeks ago he was outstanding. Now he jaws referees, cant skate, cant defend and lost his ability make scores.
DONT expect this guy to be savior for the ducks
LOL. 1 bad game because of a minor injury and you're already writing the guy off. congrats!
