Can someone explain to me what seems like a paradox?
Jeff Petry seems consistently to be getting upwards of 20 minutes of ice time per game. Often he plays more than Smid and Whitney and sometimes more than Gilbert (e.g. today). That would normally indicate the high level of trust on the part of the coach, yet I don't think there is anyone here who believes that Petry is a better defenseman than Smid, Whitney and Gilbert. So what's going on?
Possibly sampling him in the role, trying to build confidence. We have nothing to lose, so no harm in giving him a large sample size to see if he has ANY top pairing potential in him
Can someone explain to me what seems like a paradox?
Jeff Petry seems consistently to be getting upwards of 20 minutes of ice time per game. Often he plays more than Smid and Whitney and sometimes more than Gilbert (e.g. today). That would normally indicate the high level of trust on the part of the coach, yet I don't think there is anyone here who believes that Petry is a better defenseman than Smid, Whitney and Gilbert. So what's going on?
I think Whitney is dispensable due to his injury history, but I'd like them to retain Gilbert. He's a very good no.3 d-man, who can play 20-25 minutes a night against the top competition and score 25-30 points year in year out. Defensemen of this ilk do not grow on trees.
I think Whitney is dispensable due to his injury history, but I'd like them to retain Gilbert. He's a very good no.3 d-man, who can play 20-25 minutes a night against the top competition and score 25-30 points year in year out. Defensemen of this ilk do not grow on trees.
This. He's just entering into his prime. If the Oilers could actually ice a true top pairing he would excel on the second.
But to stay on topic. I've come to appreciate Petrys game more this season. I didn't see the potential in him last season at all(I know it was his rookie)
Love the way he jumps in the play. He had a great chance tonight when he skated to the net alone. He also plays pretty good defense too, and can also lay the body.
Not yet, but he will be. May as well let him play into it.
Ladi and him have been great the last couple of weeks and have been our best pairing by a country mile.
Perty has been amazing, of course my username ruins the legitimacy of this post.. But seriously he's showing huge signs of improvement this year, I think he'll be comfortable enough and ready to make a real big impact next year.
Petry is better than Whitney and Gilbert right now and pretty easily especially with both Gilbert and Whitney seemingly hampered a bit by lingering injuries.
He's playing with Smid on the top pairing so of course they are going to get top minutes and deservedly so, they have been the best pairing for a while now.
Number 1 D? Maybe not although he is one of our best dmen. He's continuingly improving a lot defensively and has shown flashes of offense. Why not let him play big minutes and develop him more? He'll be solid for the Oilers in the future.
I still have no idea why Barker gets PP time over Petry.
I'm still trying to figure out what Barker brings that allows him to occupy a roster spot in the NHL? He's terrible at both ends of the ice. 3 inches and about 25 pounds are the only thing separating him from Taylor Chorney at this point.
