Pre-Game Talk: Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators

[Electric Thunder]

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[Mantha Poodoo]

That 4th line is epic fail.

Personally, I'd rather see Jurco up with Richards and Larkin, but the thought of Richards springing both Helm and Larkin with his accurate long passes is pretty amusing.

 

[Ulysses31]

Interesting depth chart~ wouldnt be surprised if they swap larkin for abdelkader at some point on top line

 

[Mantha Poodoo]

Interesting depth chart~ wont be surprised if they swap larkin for abdelkader at some point on top line

I can see that happening dynamically through the game.

 

[korrowan]

That 4th line is epic fail.

Personally, I'd rather see Jurco up with Richards and Larkin, but the thought of Richards springing both Helm and Larkin with his accurate long passes is pretty amusing.

Why Jurco? He is a plug that needs to go at best. His AHL skills aren't going to translate. Not sure why that is not apparent yet.

 

[Eggberto]

With MSU vs. Iowa being a thing that's happening tonight I've realized this is the one time I'd rather the Wings play an afternoon game... Oh well. I'll probably be switching between the games with some favor towards the football game BUT we'll see how it goes.

 

[HadVokounOnFortSt]

Not liking that 4th line at all.

 

[Mantha Poodoo]

Why Jurco? He is a plug that needs to go at best. His AHL skills aren't going to translate. Not sure why that is not apparent yet.

He needs more opportunity to play with talented players to be able to demonstrate conclusively what he is. With the sort of skill set that he has, if you play him with plugs he's going to look like a plug. He needs adequate time playing with people who know what a pass is.

Impatience is also certainly not the route to take with a large, 'new age' type semi power forward, which is what Jurco looks like at his best. For the record, here are Abdelkader's first 3 seasons:

6p / 50gp -- 22 y/o
15p / 74gp -- 23 y/o
22p / 81gp -- 24 y/o

So far, he's played all of 5 games mostly with the offensive black hole that is the 4th line. However, his first 2 seasons show more promise than Abdelkader's, at a younger age:

15p / 36gp -- 20 y/o
18p / 63gp -- 21 y/o
5p / 1gp -- 22 y/o (so far this year)

Patience, Iago, patience...

 

[Inspiration]

He needs more opportunity to play with talented players to be able to demonstrate conclusively what he is. With the sort of skill set that he has, if you play him with plugs he's going to look like a plug. He needs adequate time playing with people who know what a pass is.

I generally agree with remainder of your post, but I really hate this argument. Tatar didn't look like a plug playing with Andersson and Miller. Nyquist didn't look like a plug playing with Andersson and Brunner. They may not have produced enormous numbers, but they were clearly effective and ultimately earned the larger roles that they have today. The reality is that good players are effective everywhere, even if their point production might shift dramatically from one role to the next.

For the record, I'm not saying Jurco has or hasn't been effective up to this point. I'm just disagreeing with the notion that he can't be properly evaluated until he gets an extended opportunity to play with the top players on the team.

 

[lilidk]

looks like they try to jump start Helm using Larkin, why not put Larkin on the 4th line , because they really need a help

 

[lilidk]

Datsyuk-Z- Jurco
Nyquist-Shean- Tatar
Larkin-Richards-Aby
Andersen-Gleny-Helm
And let Larkin replace Jurco sometimes

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

looks like they try to jump start Helm using Larkin, why not put Larkin on the 4th line , because they really need a help

Of all people, why would you want to reduce Larkin's ice time?

 

[Classicnamesup]

Datsyuk-Z- Jurco
Nyquist-Shean- Tatar
Larkin-Richards-Aby
Andersen-Gleny-Helm
And let Larkin replace Jurco sometimes

Would prefer this as well. I know Jurco will again disappoint though and he will be moved shortly enough.

NSH has strugged since their hot start so we are getting them at the right time.

 

[lilidk]

Of all people, why would you want to reduce Larkin's ice time?

I've been sarcastic

 

[korrowan]

He needs more opportunity to play with talented players to be able to demonstrate conclusively what he is. With the sort of skill set that he has, if you play him with plugs he's going to look like a plug. He needs adequate time playing with people who know what a pass is.

Impatience is also certainly not the route to take with a large, 'new age' type semi power forward, which is what Jurco looks like at his best. For the record, here are Abdelkader's first 3 seasons:

6p / 50gp -- 22 y/o
15p / 74gp -- 23 y/o
22p / 81gp -- 24 y/o

So far, he's played all of 5 games mostly with the offensive black hole that is the 4th line. However, his first 2 seasons show more promise than Abdelkader's, at a younger age:

15p / 36gp -- 20 y/o
18p / 63gp -- 21 y/o
5p / 1gp -- 22 y/o (so far this year)

Patience, Iago, patience...

There is plenty of forward depth behind him to not worry about being patient. I would rather see AA, Mantha etc...you know guys that can actually score goals and create chances. Not some kid who has been up for awhile now and hasn't done squat. He adds nothing to the team.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Make up your minds people. Do you want a good 4th line that plays 15 minutes a night, or do you want this kind of "leftovers" 4th line that plays less than 10 minutes per night?

I assume the top 9 will get the lions-share of the icetime now. No more using Glenny as a shutdown guy against top lines. Looks pretty good to me. Larkin with Z and Dats would look better, but Helm+Larkin should create some problems for other teams.

Why Jurco? He is a plug that needs to go at best. His AHL skills aren't going to translate. Not sure why that is not apparent yet.

He's still young and doesn't have much NHL experience. He's not a lost cause yet.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

Make up your minds people. Do you want a good 4th line that plays 15 minutes a night, or do you want this kind of "leftovers" 4th line that plays less than 10 minutes per night?

I assume the top 9 will get the lions-share of the icetime now. No more using Glenny as a shutdown guy against top lines. Looks pretty good to me. Larkin with Z and Dats would look better, but Helm+Larkin should create some problems for other teams.


He's still young and doesn't have much NHL experience. He's not a lost cause yet.

How about just doing Andersson-Glendening-Helm and then play them like a 4th line????

 

[Frk It]

How about just doing Andersson-Glendening-Helm and then play them like a 4th line????

Mind = blown

 

[PelagicJoe]

I can't wait until KFQ returns so Big Rig can go to the bottom pairing, and the Bust Twins can keep warm in the press box.

 

[Classicnamesup]

Glad to give the 4th line minutes if they quit giving up goals. Sort of a cause and effect thing here

 

[theYman]

ugh these lines. pavs and Z with Abby? couldn't he have kept Larkin up there instead of burying him on the 3rd line? And the 4th line is a dumpster fire. Back to our 1 goal.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

when abby is 2 lines higher then Larkin and Richards is a center over Larkin

 

[Filppula]

Jurco's linemates Here we go again.

 

[Marky9er]

ugh these lines. pavs and Z with Abby? couldn't he have kept Larkin up there instead of burying him on the 3rd line? And the 4th line is a dumpster fire. Back to our 1 goal.

On the flip side, Nashvilles top defenders will be matching up to Abdelkader, leaving Larkin to....Lark.

 

[Pavels Dog]

How about just doing Andersson-Glendening-Helm and then play them like a 4th line????

Helm > Jurco. Helm deserves top 9 minutes right now, Jurco does not. I'd rather play our best guys more than our worst.