He was awful and has been come playoff time for awhile. Last year I thought he was injured, but two years in a row? I've never bought into "The Next Neely" BS spouted by people who never saw Cam take a shift anyhow. He's never been my favorite player in general.
That being said, to trade him would be stupid and shortsighted. He's still a kid, basically, a fact completely lost on those who've expected so much for him. I think he'll be a solid part of the team's machine for a while to come. I agree he's lost his edge and focused too much on trying to be a skill guy instead of the power forward he needs to be. Don't know what it will take to get him back on the right path, maybe a coaching change, but the bottom line is you can't give up on him yet.
Disappointed in his play this playoff series, stood around too much, his fault on the first goal, but to trade him would be idiotic. Save the stupid trades for the Canadiens management.
Despite not scoring goals, Lucic had a very solid series vs the caps. One of the few players who played their role. He was hitting, intimidating, and forcing turnovers. The lack of conversion on those is the problem, not Lucic's failure to do what he's best suited to do.
Sorry, kid's a first line wing, when you're a first line wing, there's no such thing as a good 7 game series in which your name never shows up in the list of goal scorers.
I don't think you shoud trade Lucic as he is such a unique player that he isn't in any way replaceable.
The problem with him is he is starting to view himself as a skill player instead of a power forward. If Julien has the backing of Chiarelli and Neely he should apply some tough love by limiting his ice time when he tries to play too much of an east/west game and encourage him to be the agressive monster that he was when he first came up.
He spends far too much time just standing around like Dany Heatley and needs to watch some old Cam Neely videos.
The only part of this post with which I disagree, is that he needs to watch some old Terry O'Reilly videos.
he's always struck me as more of a Taz than a Cam.
really? Lucic was very visible. He doesn't need to be scoring points to be called effective. He opens up space with his checking and protects the puck like a champ. no one could score on Holtby so you cant single out Looch.
Lucic was guilty of trying to do too much last night, that's for sure. What do you expect though, when he's playing without a center. I mean maybe it's just me, but I rarely saw Krejci anywhere out there in the entire series. He was near invisible.
It was not David Krejci's fault that Lucic couldn't have the puck on his stick anywhere other than behind the goal line without turning it over.
really? Lucic was very visible. He doesn't need to be scoring points to be called effective. He opens up space with his checking and protects the puck like a champ. no one could score on Holtby so you cant single out Looch.
Lucic should not be a one-trick pony. He DOES need to be scoring points, while AT THE SAME TIME he needs to open up space for others to play their game. He's expected to be a top-line winger; he needs to do a lot more than just blaze trails. He needs to make passes, receive passes, score, assist, AND open up lanes.
Or he needs to expect to be a third-liner and make less money.
Sorry, kid's a first line wing, when you're a first line wing, there's no such thing as a good 7 game series in which your name never shows up in the list of goal scorers.
Nor should the 1st line winger have more assists than the #1 center.
The first Cap goal was all Lucic. That's a HS or NCAA D3 to right there.
Hes still young, but that's consecutive po years where hes basically underachieved in totality and based on what saw last night sucked really bad.
Sure, and the last goal was an all time stupid play by Pouliot. The point is, it happens from time to time and just because other players got away with miscues doesn't mean they played any better.
Yes, Lucic didn't have a great series, but what did you expect? He was playing with the invisible man and they were alternating his other wing between Peverley and Seguin game by game and then shift by shift. It's hard to get any continuity with that type of constant flux. Nothing against Pevs either, but he's not a first line player. Ever. I'm not even a Lucic apologist, I just think there were a lot of guys you could hang this loss on. Chara had a terrible series. DK was MIA. Marchand didn't do anything. Seguin was MIA for most of it. Ference was a turn over machine and could have easily been on the ice for more goals had Thomas not saved his ass multiple times. Despite playing well, Pouliot also had some all time bone headed penalties and plays, Thomas wasn't horrible, but he had a few goals in the middle games that were soft, etc...
About the only players on the team I'd say played well were Seidenberg and Kelly.
Sorry, kid's a first line wing, when you're a first line wing, there's no such thing as a good 7 game series in which your name never shows up in the list of goal scorers.
But see, he's not. He may play on the first line here because they have a serious lack of skilled forwards, but Lucic isn't a true first line player. He's just not.
That being said, it's hard to finish when your first line center has all of two lousy assists in 7 games. People seem to confuse Lucic for a sniper and that's not his game. His game is to create turnovers and space for his line mates with physical play, and he did that. Not scoring was certainly a disappointment, and he could have played better, but I'd hardly say he didn't do his job for the most part. I'm far more upset with DK's play than Lucic's.
Sure, and the last goal was an all time stupid play by Pouliot. The point is, it happens from time to time and just because other players got away with miscues doesn't mean they played any better.
Yes, Lucic didn't have a great series, but what did you expect? He was playing with the invisible man and they were alternating his other wing between Peverley and Seguin game by game and then shift by shift. It's hard to get any continuity with that type of constant flux. Nothing against Pevs either, but he's not a first line player. Ever. I'm not even a Lucic apologist, I just think there were a lot of guys you could hang this loss on. Chara had a terrible series. DK was MIA. Marchand didn't do anything. Seguin was MIA for most of it. Ference was a turn over machine and could have easily been on the ice for more goals had Thomas not saved his ass multiple times. Despite playing well, Pouliot also had some all time bone headed penalties and plays, Thomas wasn't horrible, but he had a few goals in the middle games that were soft, etc...
About the only players on the team I'd say played well were Seidenberg and Kelly.
I agree on Krejci another no show.
I think they could have used Kelly kn Bergerons spot left night. Want Kelly back next year, looks doubtful.
Lucic should not be a one-trick pony. He DOES need to be scoring points, while AT THE SAME TIME he needs to open up space for others to play their game. He's expected to be a top-line winger; he needs to do a lot more than just blaze trails. He needs to make passes, receive passes, score, assist, AND open up lanes.
Or he needs to expect to be a third-liner and make less money.
Why is he expected to be a first line winger? Just because they have nobody else to fill that role? Does that really make him one though?
Why is he expected to be a first line winger? Just because they have nobody else to fill that role? Does that really make him one though?
I don't necessarily disagree with your analysis of why he is on the first line, but you have to admit that the expectation amongst the GM, the coaching staff, the media and the fans is that Lucic is going to be a first line winger.
I don't agree they have nobody else to fill that role. My own thought is that the Bergeron line (BM - PB - TS) is the first line. However, that sentiment is not shared amongst many here or in the media.
I don't think you shoud trade Lucic as he is such a unique player that he isn't in any way replaceable.
The problem with him is he is starting to view himself as a skill player instead of a power forward. If Julien has the backing of Chiarelli and Neely he should apply some tough love by limiting his ice time when he tries to play too much of an east/west game and encourage him to be the agressive monster that he was when he first came up.
He spends far too much time just standing around like Dany Heatley and needs to watch some old Cam Neely videos.
As much as it kills me to quote a Habs fan IMO this post is spot on.
Lucic is at his best when he is hitting & intimidating as well as threatening to score.
Lucic is 23 years old for christ sakes. The guy is a unique player in this league.
It's like a lot of you only watch the Bruins play. It's a constant case of not knowing what you have until it's gone. Look at Ryder, almost everyone wanted him gone ... how'd that work out.
We aren't going to get 23 perfect players, they all have flaws. Lucic is young. He'll improve.
How many times do some of you need to see Lucic break the puck out of his end, dish it, or carry it through the neutral zone, dump it in, retrieve it himself, dish it again...What do you people watch?
My beef w/ Lucic is him not EVER using that size and strength to drive his ass and puck to the net, from either the boards, or when a D-man backs off and gives him room. Create mayhem like players half his size do. It's been burnt into his brain to get David Krejci the puck and play a perimeter grinding game. He consistently DID get him the puck, and for that entire series absolutely NOTHING happened after that. Well, aside Lucic coming up w/ the puck again.
When he comes over the line w/ the puck, he often pulls up and dishes it. Never thinking shot anymore, like he doesn't even see the net. Dump ins, works his ass off to come up w/ the puck, priority one... get DK the puck. I don't think DK would ever see the ****in puck w/o Lucic, so trade him while you're at it, too. It was no different when Horton was healthy, either.
At one point, CJ even gave Krejci Marchand and Seguin. They spent the majority of their time getting their ass kicked in their own end. Right when Bergeron, Peverley, and Lucic started showing chemistry...CJ apparently saw enough, and put Lucic back w/ Krejci. Because he either couldn't get out of his end w/ Segs and Marchand, or were too weak physically to do anything at all in the offensive zone. Once Bergeron was hurt, it was no longer an option at all.
Would love to see a line of Bergeron and Lucic, freeing up Lucic from constantly doing for DK, what Bergeron and even Kelly, can do for themselves in the offensive zone (i.e. win battles, cause turnovers, not get stomped every time they touch the puck).
I guess I see it backwards. I expect Krejci to make the players around him better, like Savard, and not the other way around.
Was Lucic a disappointment? You betcha. Looch sure wasn't alone in that dept, was he? I expect from him a/b what Marchand delivered last year. But, I can also see what he's up against every shift.
I don't necessarily disagree with your analysis of why he is on the first line, but you have to admit that the expectation amongst the GM, the coaching staff, the media and the fans is that Lucic is going to be a first line winger.
I don't agree they have nobody else to fill that role. My own thought is that the Bergeron line (BM - PB - TS) is the first line. However, that sentiment is not shared amongst many here or in the media.
That's certainly open for debate, especially when you factor in Horton being out and the team really only looking good offensively when the PB line was producing. If I had to take a hard stand, I'd actually say they have no real first line, but more 2 very good second lines, and that's the reason they're golfing today. Even if Horton recovers and plays next year, they still need an elite scoring forward, IMO. Seguin may take the next step and become that, but I'd also like them to explore their options. That would allow them to let some of the bottom 6 guys walk, back fill with rookies, and have Lucic play a role more befitting his skill set.
I think next season is a crossroads type of season for Looch. He needs to get it through his head that he's a power forward not a fancy player. That being said, I think he will do that. He's a competitor and wont take this lying down.
As much as it kills me to quote a Habs fan IMO this post is spot on.
Lucic is at his best when he is hitting & intimidating as well as threatening to score.
Part of the problem w/ that was... the Caps taking away the B's forechecking game, by just being content to play a possession game, until they hit an open man in the neutral zone. They put the B's to sleep in that dept.
That's certainly open for debate, especially when you factor in Horton being out and the team really only looking good offensively when the PB line was producing. If I had to take a hard stand, I'd actually say they have no real first line, but more 2 very good second lines, and that's the reason they're golfing today. Even if Horton recovers and plays next year, they still need an elite scoring forward, IMO. Seguin may take the next step and become that, but I'd also like them to explore their options. That would allow them to let some of the bottom 6 guys walk, back fill with rookies, and have Lucic play a role more befitting his skill set.
I agree with this .... and it would be a perfect summer to get a Top 6. I think Parise would be a great Bruin (obviously). However, with the CBA situation it's not going to happen ... Our top 6 will not change going into next year.
I DON'T blame Thomas. He let in some saucy goals, but we fans expect him to stop everything? Unreasonable expectations IMO.
I DON'T blame Krejci, Lucic, Bergeron, Marchand, Seguin.. They had a long grueling Cup run last season,, a short off season. These 'kids' (Bruins core) are young. They will take this as a learning experience and improve. We have yet to see the best from this core group. Adding some youth (Hamilton, Spooner, Knight, Koko) will inject some life into this club. Maybe a vet or two via UFA, & this team will keep us entertained for years to come. I applaud our Bruins, they had a very impressive 'post-Cup' season. While it didn't end where us fans had hoped, I think we will see a re-charged team next season.
How many times do some of you need to see Lucic break the puck out of his end, dish it, or carry it through the neutral zone, dump it in, retrieve it himself, dish it again...What do you people watch?
My beef w/ Lucic is him not EVER using that size and strength to drive his ass and puck to the net, from either the boards, or when a D-man backs off and gives him room. Create mayhem like players half his size do. It's been burnt into his brain to get David Krejci the puck and play a perimeter grinding game. He consistently DID get him the puck, and for that entire series absolutely NOTHING happened after that. Well, aside Lucic coming up w/ the puck again.
When he comes over the line w/ the puck, he often pulls up and dishes it. Never thinking shot anymore, like he doesn't even see the net. Dump ins, works his ass off to come up w/ the puck, priority one... get DK the puck. I don't think DK would ever see the ****in puck w/o Lucic, so trade him while you're at it, too. It was no different when Horton was healthy, either.
At one point, CJ even gave Krejci Marchand and Seguin. They spent the majority of their time getting their ass kicked in their own end. Right when Bergeron, Peverley, and Lucic started showing chemistry...CJ apparently saw enough, and put Lucic back w/ Krejci. Because he either couldn't get out of his end w/ Segs and Marchand, or were too weak physically to do anything at all in the offensive zone. Once Bergeron was hurt, it was no longer an option at all.
Would love to see a line of Bergeron and Lucic, freeing up Lucic from constantly doing for DK, what Bergeron and even Kelly, can do for themselves in the offensive zone (i.e. win battles, cause turnovers, not get stomped every time they touch the puck).
I guess I see it backwards. I expect Krejci to make the players around him better, like Savard, and not the other way around.
Was Lucic a disappointment? You betcha. Looch sure wasn't alone in that dept, was he? I expect from him a/b what Marchand delivered last year. But, I can also see what he's up against every shift.
You know I have always been a big Lucic supporter. Hell, he does not even need to put up the points, see 2008, to be effective. But those two seasons HE was the center of attention in those games.
Maybe it was because they were not as good of a team, or we were all craving for something positive. But this Lucic, MVP shift stuff has warn off, and it has not been that was the past 3 playoffs.
I would like to see them try Lucic, Seguin, and Marchand at a point next season. Try and capture some of the similarities of Lucic, Savard, and Kessel.
