And as a 1-on-1 defender, he continually loses battles he used to win. In the corner, in the slot, on the boards. Stats don't prove everything, as much as you'd like them to. If anyone thinks I'm wrong here, I'll gladly concede the pointThe last two seasons he's also had Carrier as a partner. He's paid to be a defense first defender who happens to net 7ish and get low 20s assists. It's a normal season for him ... especially on a team that started this one slow.
And as a 1-on-1 defender, he continually loses battles he used to win. In the corner, in the slot, on the boards. Stats don't prove everything, as much as you'd like them to. If anyone thinks I'm wrong here, I'll gladly concede the point
I actually liked Smiths game tonight He shouldn't fight, he sucks at it. Otherwise he had a good game
Sorry. Do we have to compartmentalize each discussion into every specific aspect of his game? Despite all of the comparative stats, do you really believe Ekholm is as effective a player as he was 3 years ago?He spent how many games with McDonagh on a pairing that didn't gel?
Nice pivot from he's lost a step offensively to now introducing a completely new paradigm. In reality Ekholm is playing very similarly to how he's played over the past five seasons. For all of the issues with Carrier as his partner, the two are a pretty solid pair as Carrier develops and Ekholm has fewer gaffes to cover.
I just saw your question about Sanford or Tolvanen ... in reality we're talking forwards 13-15 right now. It comes down to who looks better in morning skates and practices. It's a choice between .29 and .31 points per game in their on ice performance this season. ... who has the the fewest dings and pains. When Trenin is healthy, he's back in. Jankowski, when healthy, is a decision between scratch, play, or possibly send back down depending on how multiple other forwards are playing.
I have been disappointed this year but I'm willing to let him try to normalize after the McDonagh experiment that was a disaster.Sorry. Do we have to compartmentalize each discussion into every specific aspect of his game? Despite all of the comparative stats, do you really believe Ekholm is as effective a player as he was 3 years ago?
Has Ek been playing his "off" side this year? I know this summer when they acquired McD that was something that was being looked atI have been disappointed this year but I'm willing to let him try to normalize after the McDonagh experiment that was a disaster.
I agree that Ekholm has not been as effective last season and this season so far.Sorry. Do we have to compartmentalize each discussion into every specific aspect of his game? Despite all of the comparative stats, do you really believe Ekholm is as effective a player as he was 3 years ago?
He was, and it didn't work and not just with McDonagh, he looked bad with Josi too. Best I can tell he's having a slow transition back with Carrier but I'm very optimistic he'll pull it together.9Has Ek been playing his "off" side this year? I know this summer when they acquired McD that was something that was being looked at
Agreed.I agree that Ekholm has not been as effective last season and this season so far.
I used to go around calling him a good "#2 defenseman" who just happened to be stuck behind Josi. But he seemed to lose... I wouldn't call it a "step" per se, more like some passion?... last season. I don't know if it is related to just having a more settled future with his contract and the kind of general settling that people do as they get older? But I wouldn't say it clearly looks like any physical deterioration. Just he isn't quite as good, in pretty much all aspects of the game, all over the ice. And it has nothing whatsoever to do with how many points he gets or what his +/- might happen to be.
So now I go around calling him a decent veteran #3 guy. It's a drop, but he is still a useful player and we need what he brings, I don't have any particular axe to grind with his play, I'll take him even at his current level.
Noo Janokowski, Tolvanen, Trenin
Well I was worried in the first couple games of the year that Carrier seemed dead set on becoming mini-Josi again. Again it wasn't really working. But then it seemed like something happened along the way and now he's sitting with 0 pts and playing more within himself again and frankly I think he's a better player when he does that, even sitting with 0 pts. That's what made him stick when he first came into the lineup two years ago, and that to me is the way he can most help us win hockey games. Even if it doesn't look as good in his arbitration case this summer. I hope he keeps it up.I’ve never been a Carrier guy but he’s looked better to me lately. His offensive skills aren’t what a lot of our media think it is but defensively he’s playing a much more quite game. I think he’s staying home more which he needs too
Anyone else still worried about Saros? He wasn’t great last not to me
Sorry. Do we have to compartmentalize each discussion into every specific aspect of his game? Despite all of the comparative stats, do you really believe Ekholm is as effective a player as he was 3 years ago?
Gotta kind of wonder if the upcoming contract wasn't making him push things. Might be that someone let him know that he was closer to costing himself money than gaining it.Well I was worried in the first couple games of the year that Carrier seemed dead set on becoming mini-Josi again. Again it wasn't really working. But then it seemed like something happened along the way and now he's sitting with 0 pts and playing more within himself again and frankly I think he's a better player when he does that, even sitting with 0 pts. That's what made him stick when he first came into the lineup two years ago, and that to me is the way he can most help us win hockey games. Even if it doesn't look as good in his arbitration case this summer. I hope he keeps it up.