- Jan 18, 2016
- 34,250
- 25,465
I think the Avs need a finisher more than a creator if anything. Someone like Skinner would’ve been a huge plus for this team imo.
The last 3 words I would have left off.Yes it is a real thing. And the problem is simple. We don't have a real 2nd line, so everyone below the top line is playing out of position.
Move everyone down a line and things would be fine. Soderberg is a 3C, if he was playing 3C with his 18 goals he'd be one of the best 3rd liners in the league. Calvert would be fine as 3rd line wing. Compher would look fine in a 3rd line wing role. Then that would leave a combo of Kerfoot, Jost, Ghetto, Nieto, Wilson, Greer fighting it out for a 4th line role, which they'd all be fine at. But instead we have a combo of these guys fighting it out for playing time in the middle six where there is no clear definition of which line is which.
This also leads to guys like Bourque, Dries etc. Getting tons of playing time when they shouldn't be close to the NHL. If we had real depth a guy like Nieto would be a rotational 13th forward not a counted on middle six guy.
Then we get to defense. And there really isn't much to say. Barrie used to be creative, but now it seems like he only feels comfortable firing long range shots from the blueline that get blocked 90% of the time. Girard has creativity but isn't getting much of a chance to show it. Johnson is a decent dman but it's a one trick pony on offense. Zadorov has skills doesn't use them, ever. Nemeth, Cole, Barberio can be shot to the Moon for all I care no skill what so ever. Graves is a one trick pony, luckily his one trick, his shot, is a really good one.
It's on Sakic this summer to find a solution to the 2nd line. He has to build an entire line, not an easy task. He might luck out and get some help via #1 pick, if not it still needs a resolution so everyone can be shifted down to spots more appropriate for their skill level. As for defense Makar will help. Still could use another body with skill, my pick would be to go after Gardiner from Toronto.
Yes it is a real thing. And the problem is simple. We don't have a real 2nd line, so everyone below the top line is playing out of position.
Move everyone down a line and things would be fine. Soderberg is a 3C, if he was playing 3C with his 18 goals he'd be one of the best 3rd liners in the league. Calvert would be fine as 3rd line wing. Compher would look fine in a 3rd line wing role. Then that would leave a combo of Kerfoot, Jost, Ghetto, Nieto, Wilson, Greer fighting it out for a 4th line role, which they'd all be fine at. But instead we have a combo of these guys fighting it out for playing time in the middle six where there is no clear definition of which line is which.
This also leads to guys like Bourque, Dries etc. Getting tons of playing time when they shouldn't be close to the NHL. If we had real depth a guy like Nieto would be a rotational 13th forward not a counted on middle six guy.
Then we get to defense. And there really isn't much to say. Barrie used to be creative, but now it seems like he only feels comfortable firing long range shots from the blueline that get blocked 90% of the time. Girard has creativity but isn't getting much of a chance to show it. Johnson is a decent dman but it's a one trick pony on offense. Zadorov has skills doesn't use them, ever. Nemeth, Cole, Barberio can be shot to the Moon for all I care no skill what so ever. Graves is a one trick pony, luckily his one trick, his shot, is a really good one.
It's on Sakic this summer to find a solution to the 2nd line. He has to build an entire line, not an easy task. He might luck out and get some help via #1 pick, if not it still needs a resolution so everyone can be shifted down to spots more appropriate for their skill level. As for defense Makar will help. Still could use another body with skill, my pick would be to go after Gardiner from Toronto.
I think the Avs need a finisher more than a creator if anything. Someone like Skinner would’ve been a huge plus for this team imo.
Is being able to pass to another players stick or receive a pass being creative? Avs has had major execution issues for a decade.