Every team has injuries. Unfortunately Lats was the only offensive player on the top line. Which is why I don't like the concept of putting Johnson or Clutterbuck on it.
Every team has injuries. Unfortunately Lats was the only offensive player on the top line. Which is why I don't like the concept of putting Johnson or Clutterbuck on it.
He's the only one who generates scoring chances on a regular basis. Heatley's great at finishing them but needs a setup guy. Koivu's still too concerned with playing D to get into the play. If we put Johnson or Clutter on the top line they're going to be even more dump-and-chase happy and have even less offense zone possession time.
That was my thought. Butch might do really well on that line. People rip on him for the turn and stop but what that does is drive the defenders back a bit and open up space while letting his teammates enter and set up in the zone. Koivu and Heater could use that half second of time.
i think wellman gets recalled after this game, he will get his chance to prove he can play top 6, and only if he just starts going into the traffic and shooting everything that comes his way will he show he can stick.
Has Wellman not earned this call-up? A 1st liner goes down, don't replace him with a 3rd/4th liner please.
I'm not sold on Wellman ever being an NHL player, but i totally agree with this.
Johnson is the only guy in the bottom 6 that has earned a chance to "move up" but it would be a mistake to break him and Brodz up. IMO Clutterbuck should be closer to being a healthy scratch than a 1st liner.
I'm not sold on Wellman ever being an NHL player, but i totally agree with this.
Johnson is the only guy in the bottom 6 that has earned a chance to "move up" but it would be a mistake to break him and Brodz up. IMO Clutterbuck should be closer to being a healthy scratch than a 1st liner.
agree with johnson great on that 3rd line, clutter is playing injured he isn't 100% and when he can't hit and be physical he isn't skilled enough to do nifty **** with this hands, his two tools are his hitting and his wrister
agree with johnson great on that 3rd line, clutter is playing injured he isn't 100% and when he can't hit and be physical he isn't skilled enough to do nifty **** with this hands, his two tools are his hitting and his wrister
I hope you're right about an injury being the reason Clutterbuck is playing like he is, but if Clutterbuck cant play a physical game he is pretty much worthless. Even a perfecty healthy Clutterbuck would add nothing to a line with Koivu and Heatley
That was my thought. Butch might do really well on that line. People rip on him for the turn and stop but what that does is drive the defenders back a bit and open up space while letting his teammates enter and set up in the zone. Koivu and Heater could use that half second of time.
Agreed. This is what I would do. Especially if you don't call up Wellman.
The escape move that Butch so often uses is actually really effective. F2 driving to the net and hit f3 who is trailing. You got a shot from the high slot with a guy in front of the net. If they could do that consistently you could see a lot of nice garbage goals.
EDIT- But I do think Wellman deserves a top 6 role and a chance to prove whether or not he is an NHL player. Now is as good of a time as ever.
Yeah the weird thing with the Cullen-Seto-PMB line is that PMB would be the trailer more often than not but even if he is F1 Cullen and Seto aren't the "crash the net" types. Would just like to see PMB with Koivu and Havlat for 3-4 games consistently.
Yeah the weird thing with the Cullen-Seto-PMB line is that PMB would be the trailer more often than not but even if he is F1 Cullen and Seto aren't the "crash the net" types. Would just like to see PMB with Koivu and Havlat for 3-4 games consistently.
Just can't let go can you?
I think a Wellman-Cullen-Setoguchi line sounds fantastic. My only worry with the Heatley-Koivu-Bouchard idea is that no one will shoot.
PANIC MODE 
