It also makes sending him down almost a complete waste of time. I mean why send him down if they are just going to call him before he evens gets chance to play a game with the marlies? I doubt he eeven got a chance to partice with them
He has hit something like 5 posts this year.. Its a matter of time. And actually, that shoot out goal will help his confidence. Getting put on the 1a line? Help his confidence. Wouldn't be surprised if he scored tonight.
He'll make nothing but ****** plays for a period and occasionally make a play by himself and not finish. That doesn't impress me. He frequently lost board battles, got himself in bad positions, and gave away possession in the offensive zone last night. Outside of the top line, we have not been good offensively at all. Frattin is "one of our best players" because so many have been asleep so far.
Likewise, Steve. If you believe Frattin is more suited to the second line than Kadri I certainly feel good about my intellectual ability relative to you. That line needs offense, it needs a catalyst. Kadri has considerably more offensive skill, I don't see how Frattin is more suited for the role.
And Wendel, he may be one of better players, but the fact that you sit there and complain about him, then say that? Quite contradicting. Wilson put him out in the shoot-out for a reason. Gives the kid confidence. He did it last year with Nazem (even though Kadri has always been known for his shoot outs) Watch Frattin's game now. It'll change. He'll answer. He's been hitting posts, and his confidence is down because the puck isn't going in. He will step his game up. Wilson knows whats going on.
And Wendel, he may be one of better players, but the fact that you sit there and complain about him, then say that? Quite contradicting. Wilson put him out in the shoot-out for a reason. Gives the kid confidence. He did it last year with Nazem (even though Kadri has always been known for his shoot outs) Watch Frattin's game now. It'll change. He'll answer. He's been hitting posts, and his confidence is down because the puck isn't going in. He will step his game up. Wilson knows whats going on.
Being one of our better players right now isn't reflective of his quality play, but rather the invisible nature of most of our offensive players. He hasn't been impressive or special. He's had occasional good moments, but they've been mixed in with numerous bad moments.
I don't buy that he's suddenly going to become a player fit for our top 6 because he scored a goal in the shootout. I don't see how that is a legitimate justification for putting a guy who has struggled to do something offensively for the majority of his time on ice on a line which has had the exact same problem. Kadri looked better than Frattin, and the fact that he has more offensive skill is undeniable. We need a change, a shake up, a catalyst on our second line to wake them up and breathe some life into our secondary scoring. Kadri fits the bill much more than Frattin does.
Being one of our better players right now isn't reflective of his quality play, but rather the invisible nature of most of our offensive players. He hasn't been impressive or special. He's had occasional good moments, but they've been mixed in with numerous bad moments.
I don't buy that he's suddenly going to become a player fit for our top 6 because he scored a goal in the shootout. I don't see how that is a legitimate justification for putting a guy who has struggled to do something offensively for the majority of his time on ice on a line which has had the exact same problem. Kadri looked better than Frattin, and the fact that he has more offensive skill is undeniable. We need a change, a shake up, a catalyst on our second line to wake them up and breathe some life into our secondary scoring. Kadri fits the bill much more than Frattin does.
I agree that Kadri fits the bill more but he hasn't played in 3 WEEKS. He hasn't skated with the team in a while, and he's been injured. Give him time to get healthy and I say yes, Frattin will add some much needed legs to that line and hopefully help get Grabovski and Kulemin going. I don't see where you get this idea to pluck Kadri off IR and throw him to the wolves.. Let him get his legs back, I could see him ending up there depending on his game tonight though because I think Kadri will bring it.
I agree that Kadri fits the bill more but he hasn't played in 3 WEEKS. He hasn't skated with the team in a while, and he's been injured. Give him time to get healthy and I say yes, Frattin will add some much needed legs to that line and hopefully help get Grabovski and Kulemin going. I don't see where you get this idea to pluck Kadri off IR and throw him to the wolves.. Let him get his legs back, I could see him ending up there depending on his game tonight though because I think Kadri will bring it.
If he wasn't healthy he wouldn't be cleared to play.
I doubt that in 3 weeks Kadri has suddenly gone Wellwood on us. He can be huge for us in other ways. If who gets the initial opportunity on the second line is based on merit, Kadri should get it to start the game. If his legs really aren't there, and he really does need to get some games under him before he's ready to fill that role, switch it up and give Matt his second crack at it. Frattin has done nothing to put himself higher than Kadri. Kadri should get the spot to start the game if we're looking at it based on merit and what will help the team. Frattin didn't provide a major offensive catalyst for the second line the first two games, and so far he's done nothing to make me believe that it would be different tonight.
No he isn't. He's defensively responsible, makes smart plays, blocks shots, is good on the pk, and can occasionally chip in a few goals. He'll shoot from pretty much anywhere, but an offensive zone faceoff gotten by our fourth line is not a bad thing.
If he was horrible he'd be a liability. He isn't one.
Crabb is better with the puck, and he definitely has better offensive instincts, but i never liked Crabb on the PK, and thats the one thing Dupuis has that is keeping him in the lineup
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Woodlief
using his big frame to create space and his skating ability to find open lanes to drive the net. He stands 6-3 and is a natural goal scorer with plenty of confidence.
He's a scout's dream in the way he prepares himself and plays an unselfish game, making smart decisions with the puck. With his bloodlines, he certainly understands what it will take to make it at the next level.
Crabb is better with the puck, and he definitely has better offensive instincts, but i never liked Crabb on the PK, and thats the one thing Dupuis has that is keeping him in the lineup
not only offensive instincts but Crabb brings a level of physicality and fesityness that Dupuis doesn't.
EDIT: and as far PK, we have Brown, Lombardi, Bozak, Steckel, and Connolly (when healthy). Grabbo and Kuley killed penalties last year as well
The bottom 6 needs some sound defensive players who play an intelligent game and can be counted on to perform on special teams. Dupuis brings that and Crabb doesn't. I'm honestly surprised there is such little love for Dupuis, he's not failing to do his job.
The bottom 6 needs some sound defensive players who play an intelligent game and can be counted on to perform on special teams. Dupuis brings that and Crabb doesn't. I'm honestly surprised there is such little love for Dupuis, he's not failing to do his job.
he reminds me of Rickard Wallin for some reason. Does his job okay I guess. But meh
he reminds me of Rickard Wallin for some reason. Does his job okay I guess. But meh
He does his job better than Crabb would. We don't need offensive ability on the fourth line, your primary responsibility is to be sound defensively. Dupuis understands his role and plays accordingly. He can do things offensively to a certain extent, in fact I remember a ballin' breakaway goal he scored last year (vaguely, it may have been a dream since that season never happened). I find it hard to fault a guy for understanding his role and playing that role effectively.
If he wasn't healthy he wouldn't be cleared to play.
I doubt that in 3 weeks Kadri has suddenly gone Wellwood on us. He can be huge for us in other ways. If who gets the initial opportunity on the second line is based on merit, Kadri should get it to start the game. If his legs really aren't there, and he really does need to get some games under him before he's ready to fill that role, switch it up and give Matt his second crack at it. Frattin has done nothing to put himself higher than Kadri. Kadri should get the spot to start the game if we're looking at it based on merit and what will help the team. Frattin didn't provide a major offensive catalyst for the second line the first two games, and so far he's done nothing to make me believe that it would be different tonight.
They are trying to make Kadri have an better work ethic. They are giving him the motivation to make himself a more complete player. Kadri has said he doesn't want to play with the Marlies and if he has anything to say about it, he will force Wilson to keep him. Kadri will come out flying tonight, I said that, but Frattin has been playing, he has been in games, Kadri hasn't. Give him time, like I said he will probably be pushed up before the game ends tonight. I'm not calling Kadri lazy or anything, but he still needs to get back into game form. He hasn't played for a bit.
I have a man crush on Kadri. 
and I have Orr over Dupuis for tonights game b/c it will be physical.
