I find it funny how some are okay with Paajarvi not scoring...I thought being a top 10 pick [albeit the 10th pick], he should still be able to put up some points in the AHL, let alone in the NHL.
He's having way too much difficulty with both leagues and it all comes down to his lack of cojones and brain.
The thing that bothers me is that even though it's obvious that Paajarvi is working on his game many act as if he isn't improving. He isn't throwing a ton of floaters from the blueline at the net and in recent games has been more inclined to hold onto the puck to look for a pass once he gains the line. He has been getting his nose dirty more than he did, and he has been playing pretty well on the PK. He is showing signs of improvement. His draft position at this point means nothing, it won't accelerate his learning curve, it won't make him better than he is. He is improving as a player and is young enough that if he continues to do so he could be a valuable player for this or another team. People need to stop thinking that he'll be a 1st liner, it's not going to happen anytime soon or likely ever. Start looking at him like a checking player and if he ever does add more offense it's a bonus, if not then it is what it is.
__________________ Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated
The thing that bothers me is that even though it's obvious that Paajarvi is working on his game many act as if he isn't improving. He isn't throwing a ton of floaters from the blueline at the net and in recent games has been more inclined to hold onto the puck to look for a pass once he gains the line. He has been getting his nose dirty more than he did, and he has been playing pretty well on the PK. He is showing signs of improvement. His draft position at this point means nothing, it won't accelerate his learning curve, it won't make him better than he is. He is improving as a player and is young enough that if he continues to do so he could be a valuable player for this or another team. People need to stop thinking that he'll be a 1st liner, it's not going to happen anytime soon or likely ever. Start looking at him like a checking player and if he ever does add more offense it's a bonus, if not then it is what it is.
I wonder if anyone has a toi per game for Prv. Is it possible that his stats are actually better, but he is getting less ice time as opposed to last year?
I wonder if anyone has a toi per game for Prv. Is it possible that his stats are actually better, but he is getting less ice time as opposed to last year?
Well he isn't getting top PP time this year, at least not since earlier in the year. That's a change, he's getting more PK ice as well. I'm less inclined to look at the stats right now and more inclined to look at if he is working on his weaknesses or areas that he needs to be better in to play at the next level. IMO he had a couple of good games this weekend and hopefully he can build off of that. In his last 10 games he's gone for 1-8-9, that's not too shabby although of course we'd all like to see more goals for him.
The thing that bothers me is that even though it's obvious that Paajarvi is working on his game many act as if he isn't improving. He isn't throwing a ton of floaters from the blueline at the net and in recent games has been more inclined to hold onto the puck to look for a pass once he gains the line. He has been getting his nose dirty more than he did, and he has been playing pretty well on the PK. He is showing signs of improvement. His draft position at this point means nothing, it won't accelerate his learning curve, it won't make him better than he is. He is improving as a player and is young enough that if he continues to do so he could be a valuable player for this or another team. People need to stop thinking that he'll be a 1st liner, it's not going to happen anytime soon or likely ever. Start looking at him like a checking player and if he ever does add more offense it's a bonus, if not then it is what it is.
The thing that bothers me is that even though it's obvious that Paajarvi is working on his game many act as if he isn't improving. He isn't throwing a ton of floaters from the blueline at the net and in recent games has been more inclined to hold onto the puck to look for a pass once he gains the line. He has been getting his nose dirty more than he did, and he has been playing pretty well on the PK. He is showing signs of improvement. His draft position at this point means nothing, it won't accelerate his learning curve, it won't make him better than he is. He is improving as a player and is young enough that if he continues to do so he could be a valuable player for this or another team. People need to stop thinking that he'll be a 1st liner, it's not going to happen anytime soon or likely ever. Start looking at him like a checking player and if he ever does add more offense it's a bonus, if not then it is what it is.
I'll fully admit I haven't watched one second of OKC hockey this year but the thing that annoys me about MPS (and some of his fans) is when once in a blue moon when he tries to the net (and shovels a weak backhand on net or gets the puck poked from him) his fans go on and on for pages about how he's learning and attacking the net and etc. One above average play from his brings on heaps of praise. He's freaking 6'3 200+ pounds, I would hope he'd drive the net with force.
Criticize players like Gagner (or heck even Cogs) all you want, but I admire little guys that do the dirty work and are willing to take punishment to make a play. I have seen MPS play like a scared kitten too many times, this is a guy that will take a play offside to avoid getting hit. His defensive game is also overstated since he's so passive offensively, he'll give up on a play prematurely and become a third defencemen, leaving the other 2 forwards to make up for his lack of creativity.
If you say he's become tougher in the AHL, good for him but I'm a believer in the thought that a player either has that mindset or doesn't. He needs to throw more hits, use his speed to his advantage more and stop with the limp wristshots and if he's doing that in OKC, again good for him.
I'll fully admit I haven't watched one second of OKC hockey this year but the thing that annoys me about MPS (and some of his fans) is when once in a blue moon when he tries to the net (and shovels a weak backhand on net or gets the puck poked from him) his fans go on and on for pages about how he's learning and attacking the net and etc. One above average play from his brings on heaps of praise. He's freaking 6'3 200+ pounds, I would hope he'd drive the net with force.
Criticize players like Gagner (or heck even Cogs) all you want, but I admire little guys that do the dirty work and are willing to take punishment to make a play. I have seen MPS play like a scared kitten too many times, this is a guy that will take a play offside to avoid getting hit. His defensive game is also overstated since he's so passive offensively, he'll give up on a play prematurely and become a third defencemen, leaving the other 2 forwards to make up for his lack of creativity.
If you say he's become tougher in the AHL, good for him but I'm a believer in the thought that a player either has that mindset or doesn't. He needs to throw more hits, use his speed to his advantage more and stop with the limp wristshots and if he's doing that in OKC, again good for him.
Good post. Paajarvi has all the physical tools but the brain doesn't know how to use it [or he just doesn't have the balls to...not sure which].
He may become a useful player in the future but I dont see that happening with the Oil.
The thing that bothers me is that even though it's obvious that Paajarvi is working on his game many act as if he isn't improving. He isn't throwing a ton of floaters from the blueline at the net and in recent games has been more inclined to hold onto the puck to look for a pass once he gains the line. He has been getting his nose dirty more than he did, and he has been playing pretty well on the PK. He is showing signs of improvement. His draft position at this point means nothing, it won't accelerate his learning curve, it won't make him better than he is. He is improving as a player and is young enough that if he continues to do so he could be a valuable player for this or another team. People need to stop thinking that he'll be a 1st liner, it's not going to happen anytime soon or likely ever. Start looking at him like a checking player and if he ever does add more offense it's a bonus, if not then it is what it is.
it's at this point in time that the Oilers should hold on to older vets like Smyth, Horc, Belanger, etc. so that the Oiler kids can develop in OKC. Harti seems ready now, and Klefbom next year, but i can't wait to see what a fully developed Magnus, Lander, Marincin and Teubert can do for us in the near future, and a little further down the road what Pitlick, Hamilton, Davidson, Rajala, Pelss, Roy and Bunz can hopefully do!
I don't get why everyone has this hard on for Ryan Jones but we all hate Paajarvi. If Paajarvi can change his game and start going to the net like jones does he will score goals, like jones does. They're both soft, jones doesn't throw hits because he wants to, he does it because he's told to. Paajarvi is a much better player and he has a better positional hockey IQ. It's going to take time for him to learn how to excel in North America. Not all players step in and do well instantly like Canadian prospects do, they need to learn the game and their opponents and most importantly themselves. He needs to figure out what he does best, and do it.
I don't get why everyone has this hard on for Ryan Jones but we all hate Paajarvi. If Paajarvi can change his game and start going to the net like jones does he will score goals, like jones does. They're both soft, jones doesn't throw hits because he wants to, he does it because he's told to. Paajarvi is a much better player and he has a better positional hockey IQ. It's going to take time for him to learn how to excel in North America. Not all players step in and do well instantly like Canadian prospects do, they need to learn the game and their opponents and most importantly themselves. He needs to figure out what he does best, and do it.
I'm not big on Jones either. Stopped throwing hits and thought he was just a goal scorer. Also cheats defensively to try and get breakaways. He's been criticized on this board a lot.
I don't get why everyone has this hard on for Ryan Jones but we all hate Paajarvi. If Paajarvi can change his game and start going to the net like jones does he will score goals, like jones does. They're both soft, jones doesn't throw hits because he wants to, he does it because he's told to. Paajarvi is a much better player and he has a better positional hockey IQ. It's going to take time for him to learn how to excel in North America. Not all players step in and do well instantly like Canadian prospects do, they need to learn the game and their opponents and most importantly themselves. He needs to figure out what he does best, and do it.
Ryan Jones is the exact opposite of Paajarvi..
Told or not.. Jones hits.. Paajarvi doesnt.. he even drags his foot to slow down if he has to complete a check.
Paajarvi is fast Jones isnt..
Paajarvi takes Smyth like weak shots... Jones goes in the dirty areas and makes his shots count.
(2.5% shooting pct in NHL vs 12.4% last year)
If both Jones and Paajarvi are fighting for a 2nd line spot then Paajarvi might get it but he has got ways to go before becoming a better 3rd line checker who is better than Jone.
Ryan Jones is the exact opposite of Paajarvi..
Told or not.. Jones hits.. Paajarvi doesnt.. he even drags his foot to slow down if he has to complete a check.
Paajarvi is fast Jones isnt..
Paajarvi takes Smyth like weak shots... Jones goes in the dirty areas and makes his shots count.
(2.5% shooting pct in NHL vs 12.4% last year)
If both Jones and Paajarvi are fighting for a 2nd line spot then Paajarvi might get it but he has got ways to go before becoming a better 3rd line checker who is better than Jone.
While Jones does make more hits, I still think they're ineffective. He often rubs guys out softly on the boards, and then takes forever to get back into the play. I also think he's garbage defensively, he cheats and commonly isn't the first guy back on the back check. I would argue MPS is already the superior defensive player and the better PK guy.
While Jones does make more hits, I still think they're ineffective. He often rubs guys out softly on the boards, and then takes forever to get back into the play. I also think he's garbage defensively, he cheats and commonly isn't the first guy back on the back check. I would argue MPS is already the superior defensive player and the better PK guy.
Superior? Very doubtful. Guy had 8 minutes of NHL PK time and people are ready to proclaim he is better?
Superior? Very doubtful. Guy had 8 minutes of NHL PK time and people are ready to proclaim he is better?
Agreed. MPS is nowhere near the defensive wizard that some posters like to claim. Personally I think the reason for that is the same one that Eytinge identified in his excellent post earlier - they are so desperate for this player to succeed that they latch onto any slight positive and make a mountain out of it.
As for the Jones comparison .... in a word, ridiculous. If MPS had half of the hustle and desire that Jones shows he would have already cemented an NHL roster spot. Jones goes to the net more in a weeks worth of games than MPS has in his 120 NHL game resume.
Agreed. MPS is nowhere near the defensive wizard that some posters like to claim. Personally I think the reason for that is the same one that Eytinge identified in his excellent post earlier - they are so desperate for this player to succeed that they latch onto any slight positive and make a mountain out of it.
As for the Jones comparison .... in a word, ridiculous. If MPS had half of the hustle and desire that Jones shows he would have already cemented an NHL roster spot. Jones goes to the net more in a weeks worth of games than MPS has in his 120 NHL game resume.
Yup!
My attachment to Magnus is gone.
Too bad cause I had high hopes for him, even before his hat trick in the pre-season.
I still have decent expectations for MPS. He is still big, a great skater and has a good work ethic. He isn't mean, but poeple over rate that. He can still be a good 3-4 th line player. Pisani, Chimera type.
I still have decent expectations for MPS. He is still big, a great skater and has a good work ethic. He isn't mean, but poeple over rate that. He can still be a good 3-4 th line player. Pisani, Chimera type.
Who will rack up his 60000 shots from weak wristers at the blueline
I think he will meet the 30pt, 3rd line projection most are giving him, but it won't be here. He will make a fine 3rd liner on a team already possessing size and grit throughout their lineup (BOS, LAK, STL), but we need more grit in our bottom 6 because of the void in our top 6. We don't have a Backes/Lucic type that can allow for balance in the bottom 6.
I'll fully admit I haven't watched one second of OKC hockey this year but the thing that annoys me about MPS (and some of his fans) is when once in a blue moon when he tries to the net (and shovels a weak backhand on net or gets the puck poked from him) his fans go on and on for pages about how he's learning and attacking the net and etc. One above average play from his brings on heaps of praise. He's freaking 6'3 200+ pounds, I would hope he'd drive the net with force.
Criticize players like Gagner (or heck even Cogs) all you want, but I admire little guys that do the dirty work and are willing to take punishment to make a play. I have seen MPS play like a scared kitten too many times, this is a guy that will take a play offside to avoid getting hit. His defensive game is also overstated since he's so passive offensively, he'll give up on a play prematurely and become a third defencemen, leaving the other 2 forwards to make up for his lack of creativity.
If you say he's become tougher in the AHL, good for him but I'm a believer in the thought that a player either has that mindset or doesn't. He needs to throw more hits, use his speed to his advantage more and stop with the limp wristshots and if he's doing that in OKC, again good for him.
excellent post LOL! It described Paajarvi's play last season in a 3rd line defensive role very well. Welcome to the 2012-13 season. You should check it out. I actually would bet you havent watched a shift he has taken in the AHL ever.
I can remember 3 or 4 plays from last season where Paajarvi took huge hits to make plays or get the puck deep, one from Matt Greene specifically. Maybe he caught an edge and went offside? Dont make me show the Sam Gagner/Steve Ott youtube clip.
Dont make me show the Sam Gagner/Steve Ott youtube clip.
