I've made an attempt to catch some Preds games after the trade, but I've only managed to catch his first game vs. the Panthers and a few bits and pieces of the others. He certainly isn't looking lost or out of place.
Judging by the numbers though:
The Preds are 4-1-0 since his first game
He's picked up 3 assists
He's a -2
Looks to be averaging about 12-14 minutes per game
Lots of time on the PK
9 hits
4 takeaways
0 giveaways
He's occupying the role he should occupy more or less, and he appears to be doing exactly what Nashville picked him up for. He certainly isn't being asked to play out of character like he was so often here in Buffalo. There's a lot of hockey left to play obviously, but it certainly looks like a good fit right now.
I don't understand Ruff's coaching decisions at times. Why are Sulzer and Regher 2 guys who have never played together out there during the final seconds?
Or last game against Ottawa, ******** kaleta was out in the final seconds in OT…
I'd like to see Leino-Hodgson-Gerbe. Kaleta just doesn't bring enough offense with Gerbe/Leino. And Leino's improved play I think will translate back to the wing (he looked great on Ennis's wing). Gerbe can play RW without too much problem.
The only reason for not flipping Hodgson and Roy is I just don't think Hodgson is settled in yet on this team. It's been a whirlwind of a month for him. But the difference between here and Vancouver is the top 3 lines get roughly the same amount of ES time.
You now have 3 scoring centers. You should now have 3 scoring lines.
This this this this. I say put him with Vanek and Poms put Roy with Gerbs and Leino and that line is still good defensively and have one solidified checking line.
I think putting Hodgson with Vanek-Pominville is a good idea. He needs something to jumpstart his offense, and playing with our top-2 forwards would likely be the best way to do that. They've scored with Roy, Adam, Hecht, Leino, etc. centering for them this season, so why not give him a shot and see what happens.
Foligno should stay up. It's only been a couple games, but we can see he plays a smart, physical game, which we need badly. And he seems to be working well with Ennis and Stafford, and taking the physical role for that line allows Stafford to focus on making plays with Ennis and not needing to being a power forward, which he really isn't.
Leino has played well at center on that line with Gerbe and Kaleta. Let them continue to do what they're doing together.
I know Ruff trusts Roy, and he did redeem himself from ******* up on that Montreal goal at the end of regulation by setting up the O.T. Goal for Myers, but he has not had great chemistry with anyone so far this season where we all say "wow, look at Roy and so and so and how well they've played together". He seems to have a good ability to put up points without anyone's help, but at the same time, doesn't really seem to be the guy that can lift the play of those around him. Therefore put him with Boyes and Tropp and see what happens. Boyes gives him another offensively geared player and Tropp is a big effort guy, so maybe something can come out of it.
This way we would have...
-4 Lines that can score
-A number one line (Vanek-Hodgson-Pominville)
-A defense/puck control/energy line (Gerbe-Leino-Kaleta)
- the only thing we're missing is a true checking line, but our big guys/ hitters (Foligno, Kaleta, Tropp, I guess Stafford as well) are spread throughout the lineup, and we're missing our biggest 4th line guys in Ellis and McCormick.
But we need to start scoring and putting out this many waves of lines that could score is in my belief the best way to achieve that.
Hodgson needs to play with a guy who can match his offensive skill like a Vanek. Then maybe on top of that they could get a guy like Gerbe on the other wing. They need someone to forecheck and retrieve pucks.
There is absolutely no way to justify demoting Roy in favor of Hodgson.
Hodgson has been bad. Period. He's loaded with potential and I think he'll be a difference maker here for a very long time; that doesn't mean he should be rewarded for his poor play. Roy has been much better than him.
Last night was the first game I have seen live since the trade for Hodgson. I hope it was a bad night. His skating was awful, he gave the puck away too easily, and seemed confused as to where he should be on the ice. I had no problems making the trade when I heard of it but my gut is churning after last night.
As to Roy--he was sent on for key faceoffs and then immediately replaced late in the game. He was double shifted and played his heart out. I have knocked him all year but last night he was great--until cross checked at the end of regulation. Boyes continues to be AWOL--Sulzer and the other D were slow on the breakouts but good defensively. Yeah Sulzer had the puck in his skates and screwed up for the tying goal but he was sound positionally and no one skated around him. That said we still miss what Sekera brings to the team--and Hecht too....
There is absolutely no way to justify demoting Roy in favor of Hodgson.
Hodgson has been bad. Period. He's loaded with potential and I think he'll be a difference maker here for a very long time; that doesn't mean he should be rewarded for his poor play. Roy has been much better than him.
i agree roy was better than hodgson since his arrival. but, like dkollidas said, roy creates offense himself. the problem is he often doesn't include the other players in his game. therefor our best wingers don't get the puck enough.
roy will be fine without vanek and pominville. and vanek and pominville will be better with another center. maybe hodgson or adam again next season.
