MTaylorJ1
Registered User
- Sep 20, 2006
- 5,161
- 0
The problem is, Kelly can play a solid game - spark a perfect PK, get his stick in passing lanes, screen a goalie for a Smith or Krug goal, prevent several neutral zone turnovers, etc. - and he won't get credit because none of it will show up on the stat sheet. So people who want to run him down will always be "right" - his stats aren't there, he won't make the highlight reels, and "I didn't see him do anything." So it may be an entertaining argument, but it's a fruitless one.
All of those things aside from PK would show up in his +/-. It's been the worst of any regular still on the team since the lockout.
Again, Campbell is part of a perfect PK, get's his stick (and leg) in passing/shooting lanes, screens goalies, prevents turnovers, and produces like Kelly. Campbell's our 4th line center. So now we're praising Kelly for doing all of the things a 4th line center does, but doing it with 3rd line minutes and linemates?
Would I prefer our choice not be rookie Ryan Spooner vs. current version of Chris Kelly? Absolutely. My argument has always been and will continually be, I want to see if we can get something better with that line (our worst in cumulative +/-) before the deadline so we know whether we need to attempt to make an upgrade (if Kelly's going to keep on his current pace, we do need to at least attempt this), if the deadline goes by, Spooner isn't ready, and no good deal for a better 3LC (likely someone else's 2LC) doesn't present itself, then you return to the current lineup and things will be fine. Fine is just that. It's good. It could be better. I don't think it makes me a bad fan to look at one area of the team (that's underperformed since the lockout) and want to attempt for better.