You also need third line center to win cup, right?
Just give kid some times. Two-three years and he will dominate .
Dalpe is RW. We also have Chaput, Terry and Dodge. They can be top 9. Dodge is RW/ C, Terry is LW/ C, Chaput is C. Some people believe Boychuk is C too.
Zac Dalpe has shown no reason at OSU to move him off center. Until he shows he cant handle the pivot it would be foolish to move a kid with his skill set off center. Especially if it is in lieu of someone much smaller who hasnt shown consistent abillity IMO at center in Boychuk
I'm surprised Sutter's numbers are so low this year. I guess that's what happens when you are your team's number #1 shutdown center.. some defense is going to come at the expense of offense. But when Sutter is on, he scores in bunches
I'm surprised Sutter's numbers are so low this year. I guess that's what happens when you are your team's number #1 shutdown center.. some defense is going to come at the expense of offense. But when Sutter is on, he scores in bunches
Let's not forget that he's not getting much PP time anymore. Also, he did deal with a "significant" hand injury in the early part of the season.
Between the injury and the fact he's responded to different role and challenge this year, I think that explains the points. The points have been coming from elsewhere this season, we've found other ways to spread the points, and Sutter has adjusted and complemented their game like a good team player. Hence the +/-
Sutter is perfectly capable of being a #1 center in the NHL. He did it for a time last season while Staal was out....and did a damned good job.
Sutter reminds me a lot of Brind'amour, many years ago. And Sutter's role is likley to change over the span of his career, as did Brind'amour's.
But Maurice seems to think that next year, Sutter will be relied upon even more as a checking center and penalty killer, as the Canes expect Skinner to be the #2 center next season. He's capable of much more.
Skinner will not play center next year, people need to realize that... Dalpe will play center before Skinner and I actually think he plays the wing too
Sutter is perfectly capable of being a #1 center in the NHL. He did it for a time last season while Staal was out....and did a damned good job.
Sutter reminds me a lot of Brind'amour, many years ago. And Sutter's role is likley to change over the span of his career, as did Brind'amour's.
But Maurice seems to think that next year, Sutter will be relied upon even more as a checking center and penalty killer, as the Canes expect Skinner to be the #2 center next season. He's capable of much more.
Sutter is an excellent checking center with great value. However, no way, no how is #1 center material. Even taking into account his wingers, his playmaking skills are subpar and not nearly good enough to be a #1.
Even when he filled in on the top line last year when Staal was out, it was apparent. He's young and will get better but it's just not his strong suit. His sniping skills aren't good enough to compensate for it.
Skinner will not play center next year, people need to realize that... Dalpe will play center before Skinner and I actually think he plays the wing too
Sutter is an excellent checking center with great value. However, no way, no how is #1 center material. Even taking into account his wingers, his playmaking skills are subpar and not nearly good enough to be a #1.
Even when he filled in on the top line last year when Staal was out, it was apparent. He's young and will get better but it's just not his strong suit. His sniping skills aren't good enough to compensate for it.
I completely disagree. A 1st line center doesn't have to be a sniper. Many great 1st line centers pad their stats with tons of assists and a few goals. When given the opportunity to play offense first, Sutter shined last year. May people questioned why he wasn't centering with Staal on the wing during that stretch last year, Maurice even tried that. You're way off base with your assumptions.
I completely disagree. A 1st line center doesn't have to be a sniper. Many great 1st line centers pad their stats with tons of assists and a few goals. When given the opportunity to play offense first, Sutter shined last year. May people questioned why he wasn't centering with Staal on the wing during that stretch last year, Maurice even tried that. You're way off base with your assumptions.
First, you misread my comment. I stated Sutter's sniping isn't good enough to overcome his subpar playmaking to be a C1. Staal isn't a great playmaker by any means but his sniping is near elite.
Second, I didn't make any assumptions, just observations. But let's use your POV. We agree Sutter isn't a sniper and he doesn't pile up assists so how does his skill set translate to a first-line center and Brindy comparisons? In my view, it doesn't.
Let me see this quote... If Mo does that, he's an idiot.. I contend he never plays center consistently in this league... If this was true, he'd play more than 3 games at C this year... Giving him all that defensive responsibility and ice to cover will hurt him offensively...
I completely disagree. A 1st line center doesn't have to be a sniper. Many great 1st line centers pad their stats with tons of assists and a few goals. When given the opportunity to play offense first, Sutter shined last year. May people questioned why he wasn't centering with Staal on the wing during that stretch last year, Maurice even tried that. You're way off base with your assumptions.
No, he's not. You won't find one GM in the league that would want Brandon Sutter as their first-line center.
Go through the list of first-line centers. I challenge you to find one guy (minus injuries) that Sutter would start in front of.
Yes, some some great first-line centers "pad their stats" (LOL) with assists and few goals. Actually, let's call Vancouver and see if they'll trade Sedin for Sutter, straight up. Are we getting enough value?
How good Sutter would do in an offensive role is pure speculation. And hopefully, we never have to find out. Staal and Skinner should allow Sutter to do what he does best for a long time, which is play flat out absurdly good defense, night in and night out against the best in the NHL, all while taking almost no penalties.
The luxury to allow him to be a one dimensional player is something we should be happy with, as it is a positive for our team.
The best part about allowing Sutter to play one-dimensional defensive hockey is how obvious it is that he "gets" the game. He knows exactly when he can and should push the play offensively, and he has enough skill to be able to make things happen when he does. That is one thing that is pretty much impossible to teach.
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