Frk It
Mo Seider Less Problems
- Jul 27, 2010
- 36,244
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Ok... that all makes sense. I like arguing against you a hell of a lot more, Frk It.
I was saying that, using history as a barometer, the Wings got lambasted for continuing to take small, soft Euro wingers, going skill over size to a fault. I agree that having them shouldn't deter you, but I also think that at some point, you have to kind of balance the boat. Too small and skilled, you get beat up. Too big and unskilled, you get zipped around. Size shouldn't be a determining factor, but if you have a bunch of smaller, weaker on their skates wingers... at some point you will need that thumper to continue to give them room. The reason we got hammered out of the playoffs in consecutive years by Boston and Tampa is that none of our more skilled guys have been able to make hay once other teams start taking the body to them and killing their open ice. They need something that can keep the ice open for a guy like Tatar to take shots and make moves. Like when Abby pulled the piano and cleared the lane for Datsyuk in our playoff win against the Bruins.
And I understand the "I want the most skilled player, no matter what" talking point. I agree. I would rather the more skilled player too. The thing is, I do not think that Rasmussen is unskilled. I do not think that he's such a plodding loser compared to Vilardi or Necas. And it really just strikes me that outside of Razzy, how many of the Wings future top 6 really could make their own room?
Mantha can.
Larkin is still too small. He can speed around, but teams will eventually plan for him.
AA can speed around, but teams will eventually plan for him.
Tatar and Nyquist, unless something changes, clearly don't handle pressure well.
Who knows what Svech and friends at GR are capable of.
I can understand wanting another guy than Rasmussen but I just think your expectations are wildly out of whack if you expect a PPG player with a #9OA pick. They have the ability to do so, but it is still a wild success if they do. The much higher likelihood is that they're exactly what I said. 2008 Dan Cleary who pots 50p while playing two way hockey.
Yeah, well what we need and what we are most likely to get with where we draft are two separate issues... I mean, if anything, that just fuels the tank argument.
As I said in the prospect thread, hoping Rasmussen can turn out like Larkin, very effective pivots even if they aren't danglers or highlight reel guys. I think at worst, those two will be a rock solid 2-3 center combo, where Rasmussen can be a match-up nightmare like J Staal was on those Penguins teams we played.
I think as TZE has said, the biggest reason they didn't go for some of those puck possession guys last year was the skepticism they don't project as center. I do get that. Would have liked Rob Thomas, but I think some of those others may genuinely end up as wingers. And that was a weaker draft. So while Rasmussen was not my guy, I can somewhat see the thought process.
Really moving forward though, I see no reason for not swinging for the fences. If you want to defy the odds, you see that moreso with the guys who have puck skills and are puck possession guys. I mean if you look at the top 25 scorers in the NHL, that is primarily who you are looking at.