GDT: The Dallas Stars And The Colorado Avalanche In: THE CASE OF THE MISSING BAG SKATE

[piqued]

Originally Posted by Troy McClure

For Larsen to play consistently, he's going to have to adopt a physical game he doesn't have or the Stars are going to have to trade one of their smaller d-men.

It sucks for Larsen being the odd man out behind more veteran players, but it's easy to understand that a coach doesn't want 4 of his 6 d-men to be undersized in more physical games.

Larsen has a physical game. He's 4th on the team in hits despite playing only 6 games!

[Shady12]

Yeah, people see his slight build and just jump to 'not physical.' Larsen is very physical.

[txomisc]

Originally Posted by Frozen Failure

When Robidas is moved, Larsen will play.

So when he retires?

[Frozen Failure]

Originally Posted by txomisc

So when he retires?

And Hell freezes over, and I become supreme ruler of all hockey.

[Hull Fan]

Robidas and Goligoski on the point of the powerplay is a failure just as it has been for two seasons. When will we see something different?

Maybe sending Smith down for a couple of weeks would help him find his scoring touch?

It's a Dallas game, there must be a 2nd period penalty parade. What the hell is it about that period that makes this team constantly take penalties?

Colorado is a bad team and still we get out shot. The team (read Benn) played much better but man against better competition there are still huge concerns with this group.

As down as I've been about Morrow, Robidas comes along and reminds me that he's far, far worse. In Edmonton is another big test to determine just where this team is heading. Looking forward to Wednesday night.

[Cin]

Reilly has been pretty quiet. He's doing all of the little things right, he just hasn't been able to put everything together. I'd honestly like to see Fraser called up though.

[jagrgodr]

Originally Posted by Frozen Failure

When Robidas is moved, Larsen will play.

awhhhh i read that as "WOAH Robidas is moved, Larsen will play" and thought he was traded or something, huge downer

[Troy McClure]

Originally Posted by piqued

Larsen has a physical game. He's 4th on the team in hits despite playing only 6 games!

Hits don't equal physical play in the sense that matters here. Robidas has been a league leader in hits for a number of seasons (partly because the hit counter at the AAC is very generous), but Robidas is not playing a super physical game.

Originally Posted by Frozen Failure

When Robidas is moved, Larsen will play.

I am 100% in favor of this happening. Make it happen, Joe.

Originally Posted by Cin

It used to be that way, and he's made dramatic strides to be a more physical player. He throws a lot of hits now, and he's not easily knocked off the puck. So I'm not sure where you're getting that from.

I used to be down on him a ton, and for that exact same reason. I've seen his progression all the way through our system, and he's playing a physical game that's on another level from where he started.

He's an NHLer, and there's no questions about it.

Larsen being better with the physical game doesn't address the problem.

Even with Larsen's improved physical game, he can't play the same kind of physical game that larger d men can play. He'll never be able to do what Dillon does. He might be able to be a guy who holds his own for his size, but he'll never be a guy who can push people around or overpower forwards.

His size is a limitation, but on most rosters, it would not be a big deal. Unfortunately for Larsen, Joe has built a roster of too many d-men at his end of the size spectrum. One or two smaller d-men don't wouldn't be a big deal, but that's not what this roster has. Until players are moved, Larsen will continue to be the odd man out to rotate with Rome because Dillon and Oleksiak have stolen two roster spots that otherwise certianly would have gone to Larsen.