Funny joke kid. Abby is one of the few guys on the team that plays the body and fights. He's not going anywhere.
Abby's useless. His best games are the ones where he's simply notices which usually translates to wasted energy. The guy doesn't play the body effectively, isn't great on the boards, can't pass, and doesn't agitate. Skating around and throwing shots at the net is not enough. I think we couldn't get rid of him soon enough if he doesn't start playing smarter and start positively affecting games.
My only prediction is more of a wish... Brunnstrom cracks 18 goals.
Abby's useless. His best games are the ones where he's simply notices which usually translates to wasted energy. The guy doesn't play the body effectively, isn't great on the boards, can't pass, and doesn't agitate. Skating around and throwing shots at the net is not enough. I think we couldn't get rid of him soon enough if he doesn't start playing smarter and start positively affecting games.
My only prediction is more of a wish... Brunnstrom cracks 18 goals.
Abby's useless. His best games are the ones where he's simply notices which usually translates to wasted energy. The guy doesn't play the body effectively, isn't great on the boards, can't pass, and doesn't agitate. Skating around and throwing shots at the net is not enough. I think we couldn't get rid of him soon enough if he doesn't start playing smarter and start positively affecting games.
My only prediction is more of a wish... Brunnstrom cracks 18 goals.
I was a big fan of the Abdelkader draft pick when it happened, and defended that choice by Holland. However, Abby's development between then and now really has stagnated. Not Ericsson or Lebda stagnant (same or worse as when they first came to camp) but he hasn't followed the same curve that guys like Dats, Z, Hudler, Flip, Franzen, and even Helm have followed with their development. Three years ago, Abdelkader and Helm were considered close to even as far as young players go. Now one of them is just above "the rotation" and the other is a key player.
It's actually funny that you mention Brunnstrom; people have been suggesting that he could be "the new Holmstrom" on this team. That won't happen. But a guy like Abdelkader, a big guy who has the ability to score goals around the net and dig the puck out of the corner, he could certainly fill that role. He could still be used on a checking line at ES as the Wings have better top-sixers and he's useful in that capacity, unlike Holmstrom, but he could be used on both the PP and PK as a specialist.
Not sure if I posted it here at any point (I was still on HF hiatus at the beginning of the year), but I think wishful speculation had me at anywhere between 20-24 goals for him, assuming he ever got any time with Datsyuk, and worked on getting stronger with the puck. I couldn't help myself; the hype was still there, and admittedly, he did have a strong camp.
My, how quickly things can change over the course of the season. What did he end up topping out at, like, one assist in 4-5 games?
Not sure if I posted it here at any point (I was still on HF hiatus at the beginning of the year), but I think wishful speculation had me at anywhere between 20-24 goals for him, assuming he ever got any time with Datsyuk, and worked on getting stronger with the puck. I couldn't help myself; the hype was still there, and admittedly, he did have a strong camp.
My, how quickly things can change over the course of the season. What did he end up topping out at, like, one assist in 4-5 games?
I tried to warn everybody that Brunnstrom would only make everybody appreciate Hudler.
Pavel would have met expectations if not for the injury
Z had the Horrific start but has since played the his ability and played all 82 games which is a plus
Lidstrom did miss time but even if he didn't miss it i think he would have only been mid 40's in points which is still above average for a defensmen let alone of his age.
Hudler had a great bounce back season and if Parise isn't signed i would say resign him if the price is not crazy.
Filppula is finally living up to the potential.
Holmstrom alright season i guess, for a 4th liner with PP time either way I want him gone.
Ericsson not anything special on the score sheet but i can honestly say i don't hate his contact anymore though it is still a little high
Helm had a good season. no different than normal for him
Miller made a big improvement this year
Franzen probably would have made 30 goals this year if he didn't get hurt but you never know with him.
Ian White exceeded expectations
Cleary point wise ok i guess
Burtuzzi..... 38 POINTS!!!! with DATSYUK!!! next year he better be playing Holmstrom's role because thats some BS
Pavel would have met expectations if not for the injury
Z had the Horrific start but has since played the his ability and played all 82 games which is a plus
Lidstrom did miss time but even if he didn't miss it i think he would have only been mid 40's in points which is still above average for a defensmen let alone of his age.
Hudler had a great bounce back season and if Parise isn't signed i would say resign him if the price is not crazy.
Filppula is finally living up to the potential.
Holmstrom alright season i guess, for a 4th liner with PP time either way I want him gone.
Ericsson not anything special on the score sheet but i can honestly say i don't hate his contact anymore though it is still a little high
Helm had a good season. no different than normal for him
Miller made a big improvement this year
Franzen probably would have made 30 goals this year if he didn't get hurt but you never know with him. Ian White exceeded expectations
Cleary point wise ok i guess
Burtuzzi..... 38 POINTS!!!! with DATSYUK!!! next year he better be playing Holmstrom's role because thats some BS
Did he though? Seems like a lot of people had him over 40 points and one person even at 48 points. He'll only finish with 32. It seemed to me like a lot of his success was from Lidstrom, when Lidstrom was playing great hockey.
Did he though? Seems like a lot of people had him over 40 points and one person even at 48 points. He'll only finish with 32. It seemed to me like a lot of his success was from Lidstrom, when Lidstrom was playing great hockey.
Do you think everything balances out and he is somewhere in between? Or is the 1st half more accurate? Or 2nd?
I meant my expectations, I personally thought he was a 5-6 defensmen when he arrived and that he was only going to get to play with Lidstrom because his right hand shot. but i could see him being more of a 3-4 defensmen now. he moved the puck well all year and did not make many tremendous mistakes.
i do see what you are saying though
