I think when Nill talks like this, he’s comparing now to the 80s and early 90s. Back then, it was a different animal where you’d have your enforcer type on the fourth line or some old guys who could barely skate any longer.Quote from Jim Nill:
"He's played with top players in the league," Nill said. "In Anaheim, he played with [Ryan] Getzlaf and Kesler. He can play lower in the lineup. Really, the game's becoming -- people talk about first, second, third, fourth lines -- the game's getting away from that. It's more situational type of lines. That's what Monty has to do, see what's the best fit."
No, it's not getting away from that, Nill. We need a 2nd line. God this is what I was worried about. He acquired Cogliano to be a top 6 forward for us and an answer for our scoring issues. He has actually convinced himself that us not having a 2nd line is not an issue
I think when Nill talks like this, he’s comparing now to the 80s and early 90s. Back then, it was a different animal where you’d have your enforcer type on the fourth line or some old guys who could barely skate any longer.
I've just read an article on main Stars page by Heika about Cogliano trade with some Jim Nill quotes. What immediately struck me was Nill's quote about finding identity of the team. Perception of this cannot be very good. Here is a GM who is managing this team for almost six years, it is mid January and he is wondering what identity of his team is. It is puzzling.
During his tenure, Stars were never a force to be reckon with, but at least in early years of Ruff coaching we had an identity of fast, skilled, offensive team (or so I remember). Then we had Hitchcock, who was total opposite of Ruff (this was probably not completely Nill's decision, but I digress). Now we have Montgomery (who has plenty of room for growth but who, I think, has the potential to be very good coach in the NHL) but with a total mess of a roster. So what happened?
I think when he started as our GM, he had a plan and a vision, but he either couldn't execute it (bad scouting certainly didn't help) or for some reason he deviated from the plan to no plan whatsoever
evidently. I have no idea what this team is or what it will be next season. Maybe it is time to really evaluate this thing and hit a reset button. I can't envision Stars winning Stanley cup anytime soon.
I think part of the problem is It appears Benn has regressed not only on ice but in the room also. Maybe some of the younger players are watching him and not “growing” as they should.
On this last carcast Shapiro talked about how Benn usually shows up to every practise even the optional ones ( outside when the team tells him to take a break ) and goes almost out every single time but when the game starts it's like a completely different player shows up . I don't think preparation and work ethic is the problem . Somehow it just doesn't translate into games anymore. I don't know.