Poor Eaves. Seems like he was having trouble finding the handle, but Murray doesn't give people much of a chance when they're going through a slump. Vermette has been a bit dry lately too, but he still logs lots of minutes. You could see him desperately trying to get that empty netter tonight. Eaves will bounce back though, experience is everything.
Eaves is a nice young player, and he may get a chance in the playoffs this year. But his time is ahead. Spezza was sent to the minors. Hossa and Havlat started on the 4th line. Eaves is developing fine.
I guess the coaching staff were not satisfied embarassing Eaves by having him play six minutes a night, they had to go one step higher and take him out of the lineup entirely. Here's a guy who scored 20 goals as a rookie last year and you're trying to tell me we can't find a spot in the lineup for him? After we had Neil playing next to Spezza and Heatley for all these games? And a d-man playing third line right wing?
Poor Eaves. Seems like he was having trouble finding the handle, but Murray doesn't give people much of a chance when they're going through a slump. Vermette has been a bit dry lately too, but he still logs lots of minutes. You could see him desperately trying to get that empty netter tonight. Eaves will bounce back though, experience is everything.
Yeah, Eaves has just struggled this year. I thought he'd turned it around at the beginning of January, but a couple of unimpressive games later he was back to square one with Murray. He's been good on the fourth line, but unlike Schubert and McAmmond, he hasn't made enough of his ice time/promotions this year to prove that he absolutely has to be in the lineup. Maybe a couple of games in the press box will light a fire under him? Here's hoping.
And the Vermette comparison is probably not far off -- not least because he was in a similar boat last year, but also because Pierre and Gord mentioned speculation that he could have been the one sitting tonight. (Personally, I don't see that: he is crazy cold right now, but he's still playing hard, and he's still a pretty important PK and faceoff player. But who knows.)
Realistically, there'll likely be a merry-go-round in the press box now that we have Saprykin. I'm sure Eaves will get back in there soon.
I guess the coaching staff were not satisfied embarassing Eaves by having him play six minutes a night, they had to go one step higher and take him out of the lineup entirely. Here's a guy who scored 20 goals as a rookie last year and you're trying to tell me we can't find a spot in the lineup for him? After we had Neil playing next to Spezza and Heatley for all these games? And a d-man playing third line right wing?
Who would you rather bench?
It was either Schubert or Eaves and Schubert has been better in the fourth line role...
I guess the coaching staff were not satisfied embarassing Eaves by having him play six minutes a night, they had to go one step higher and take him out of the lineup entirely. Here's a guy who scored 20 goals as a rookie last year and you're trying to tell me we can't find a spot in the lineup for him? After we had Neil playing next to Spezza and Heatley for all these games? And a d-man playing third line right wing?
Completely agree. Eaves was hot before he was demoted to the fourth line, so I'm not sure where this 'not making the most of his opportunities like the almighty McAmmond and Schubert' comes from.
I understand the "cold" argument as justification for dropping him off the top line, but it doesn't work when you've had Kelly and Neil up there for extended periods of time to no success and they don't get the same treatment. Eaves is most suited to that line outside of Alfredsson. Why is Murray so resistant?
Completely agree. Eaves was hot before he was demoted to the fourth line, so I'm not sure where this 'not making the most of his opportunities like the almighty McAmmond and Schubert' comes from.
He got hot while he was playing on the third line with McAmmond and Schubert. Vermette came back and they connected for a couple of nice goals, but then Vermette was buried on the fourth line, not Eaves. When Spezza came back, Vermette-Spezza-Eaves formed a line. They were pretty good for the whole game and a half they were together, but then Spezza was reunited with Heatley, and Eaves got another game or two up there with them, didn't he? Neil was moved up there afterwards, with the implication from Murray that Eaves said he would stand in front of the net on that line, but then didn't, and Neil would.
I do think that's the one time this year where Murray really mismanaged Eaves, after Eaves had FINALLY gained some confidence. But he has had his shots on top lines this year, however brief, and he just didn't bring anything up there. I understand the Kelly/Neil argument, but . . . Murray's estimation of Kelly is off the charts, and as I said, Neil stood in front. Uselessly, but he did, and I guess that's what mattered to Murray at that time.
On the other hand, McAmmond got shifted to the top line in a third period, and they set up a nice goal. The same thing happened the next time McAmmond got moved up there in the third period. He's a good PK guy, he's been playing really well for weeks now. He's established a role. Schubert's taken shifts on D sometimes in third periods even with everyone healthy, and he's played pretty well wherever he's been in the lineup this year. I think he's also established a role. It hasn't all been his own fault, but Eaves simply hasn't done that this year.
But as someone else said, Eaves is young and still learning. He'll be fine.
I dont remember a time where eaves appeared really hot. He just didnt stand out in a top 9 role to me. He is a nice young kid, has a lot of fans, and im pulling for him too. But he will have a key role for us in the future. But he is not ready imo to be a top 9 player on a Cup contending team this year.
You may know better than Murray. But im good with thre decision at the moment.
Maybe Eaves comes out on fire next time he plays, and forces the coach to play him. But Saprykin will probably be a better choice.
It's just that the top line RW has not worked all year. We all know Alfie works there but I understand why Murray wants to spread his offense. But if the options for that position are Kelly, Eaves or Neil, I want Eaves. The other guys are just so much more effective in their other roles.
edit: I'm definitely not saying he's a top 3 player, but because we don't have Alfie up there no one who slots in there will be a top 3. Neil is a fringe top 9. Kelly is a top 12.
Kelly > Eaves. I know that is hard for a lot of you to hear. And you will call me names. But there is no doubt who is a more effective player for us this year. None.
If benching Corvo is your answer for keeping Eaves in the lineup, then I don't think you're really looking at the big picture. Corvo's actually been pretty damn good the last month. Why would you want to mess with that?
Eaves will find his way back in the lineup sooner rather than later. He just has to remain patient and wait for the inevitable injury situation to occur to get his next shot. This team is disgustingly healthy right now and that can only continue for so long.
If benching Corvo is your answer for keeping Eaves in the lineup, then I don't think you're really looking at the big picture. Corvo's actually been pretty damn good the last month. Why would you want to mess with that?
Eaves will find his way back in the lineup sooner rather than later. He just has to remain patient and wait for the inevitable injury situation to occur to get his next shot. This team is disgustingly healthy right now and that can only continue for so long.
