Don't even get me started on Cullen. So many people were excited when we signed him. I wanted O.Jokinen so much more. Cause at leat that guy is actually a 2nd line center. And we could have signed him for less per year and less years. Unlike Bambi.
I wanted Jokinen too but I don't think he was coming here for less money and term. I would have tried for $5m per for 4 years. Cullen is about as meh as a center gets.
Spurgeon has had a great knack for avoiding the hit. He simply oozes hockey sense and knows where to be when, and when to not be somewhere...
Is he a top pairing D-man? No, but he was forced into that role for us due to the ineptitude of the rest of the D. In the long run, he'll be a solid depth defenseman who won't ever be overly expensive to keep on the roster. A guy you can depend on in his own zone, and can help the offense on the rush etc.
I think everyone will be happier with him when he can settle into a middling role that he should be in once we get more real D-men on the team. Gilbert was just the first step in that direction.
Agree completely. Also he needs to gain some upper body strength so he can be a more effective defenseman.
I'd still like to see him shorten the stick a bit so he's more agile with the puck.
He likely uses the stick he does for leverage in the defensive zone. Given his position, that should be the priority. Being a short as he is he already has a great disadvantage in terms of length, using a longer stick gives him a bit more reach.
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After Meaningless Win - 3/29/12 - Game 77 | SoH-"Who knows, that could have cost us a Cup tonight." | Dooohkay
I know that, I just think if he could shorten it up a few inches that might allow him to keep the puck in the offensive zone a little more and be able to do more with it at the point. Unless they're scratching him off the PP. He just can't do enough with the puck there to be effective.
I know that, I just think if he could shorten it up a few inches that might allow him to keep the puck in the offensive zone a little more and be able to do more with it at the point. Unless they're scratching him off the PP. He just can't do enough with the puck there to be effective.
I was going to agree with you there, but then I checked the stats; only Koivu has more PP assists (13) than Spurgeon's 10, which ties him with Heatley for 2nd on the team.
If he could learn to hold the zone better, I'd like him better as a point man option.
I'm not saying he's bad, just that he's got a lot of room to improve. At the point, which his stick length, he's not much of a threat to deke or make tight moves (like say Burns was). He can back up, pass, or shoot. Opposing players can play him tighter and limit his options. If he was a little more mobile with that puck, players would have to respect him and give a little more space, opening up his options.
