And Iafallo has looked good playing with them. I've been critical of Alex at times, but he's proving me wrong.
Agree. At this point, it's about finding if players can gel with others. It seems a few can play well with any line; Iafallo and Moore.
For whatever reasons, some combos simply do not work, period. Like Vilardi / Carter.
When Lias was playing those early games with Wagner, Luff, whomever, there was no chemistry either. Now, Lias looks great with Vilardi and
Iafallo. Lias probably had the most touches of anyone last game. Sometimes, nothing becomes of it, but he's shown he has talent and
pretty good vision and can make plays. The Rangers tried to make him top 6 and he could not do it at 18 or 19. They then put him on line 4 and
he's more like a line 3c / 3lw. He needs to play with players that have some aptitude of ability...plus, he needed to improve his skating and while
it's nothing amazing, he's skating well and in the right places. His stint in the AHL helped him a lot. Loved that he went after the guy that hit Vilardi. 2-3 years ago the Kings had nothing to show for round 1 of the 2017 draft, with Gabe unable to heal...and now the Kings have the 7th and 11th picks from 2017 playing for them and
doing well.
The one I am worried about, when it comes to finding chemistry, is Athanasiou. He has not looked good for 2-3 weeks - on any line. Not like he was those
few weeks, where it was 'get this guy a new contract, now'. I am wondering if he will get resigned at this point. You have to see that there
are SO MANY that can take that slot: Fagemo, Kupari, Kaliyev, Thomas, etc. If you lock up AA 2 or 3 yrs, he cannot play line 4...and he could block
a better, younger player. I think I would pass on AA, perhaps. Or just offer 1 year.
And get better lottery odds the same time hopefully.
