Has he played in the top 2 lines in any game? I looked through some games but could only see him listed in the third line.
101 is highly critical of FF's play, and he frequents the stat book to prove his point. There is a lot of truth in what he is saying, but I would temper his negativity and say that he produced offensively fairly consistently. The problem is, the Predator system does not allow offensive dynamo's to flourish unless they are also able to be consistent in the defensive end. Add to that, the Trotz way which is to hammer it into his young players through benching, public call outs, and healthy scratches any time a defensive zone mistake is continued, and you can see why it is hard for a young offensive player to find his groove. He had a spark and showed skill. He was effective on the PP. He created some chances at ES. The primary assist was a tip in by Gaustad on a great shot by FF that looked to be going in regardless.
The only reason people on here were critical of FF is because a lot of people on here were complaining about Trotz's usage of him like you pointed out. FF, like a lot of young forwards, should be given leeway. He'll make mistakes. That's part of it. Instead we had a select few trying to point out all these mistakes he made to defend Trotz.
It's all some bizarre attempt to defend Trotz. FF spent time with Gaustad. Enough said.
You see the same crowd now trying to blame Shea Weber for the teams troubles now
It's actually an honest assessment of his play. Call it an attempt to "defend Trotz" if you want ... you're free to be as wrong as you'd like. Quite simply for as talented as Forsberg is it hasn't translated to the NHL level yet. He looks great against junior hockey level competition, struggles against NHLers.
His defensive woes are supported by the 3rd worst goals against per 60 minutes of 5on5 ice time for players with ten or more games played this season. One primary assist in his career (his only ES point), one career goal.
Again ... what has he done at the NHL level to deserve praise? Where has his talent translated to production in NHL play?
Forsberg named MVP of WJC. He's among good company...
Corey Pronman @coreypronman 5m
Forwards named MVP in the past: Kuznetsov, B Schenn, Eberle, Tavares, Malkin, Bergeron, Parise, Cammalleri.
but did he defense?Forsberg named MVP of WJC. He's among good company...
Corey Pronman @coreypronman 5m
Forwards named MVP in the past: Kuznetsov, B Schenn, Eberle, Tavares, Malkin, Bergeron, Parise, Cammalleri.
He's a young player who scored .42 PPG this year in his extensive 12 games played. While being bounced around lines and being scratched. Wasn't given a big enough opportunity to get his confidence up. He will make mistakes, its part of a 19 year old in the NHL. If he wasn't ready for the NHL, then shame on the coaches or management for putting him up there.
No one is saying he deserves extensive praise. But all that is happened is that he has had a good WJC. And of course the usual suspects come out to say how who cares, what has he done in the NHL. No one said he's been a star player in the NHL or is guaranteed to be a star. People are excited about what he's doing non-Predators wise. It isn't as if our NHL team has been giving us alot to be excited about. All else that has been said is that he has been misused as a young forward.
Forsberg's reduced ice time was the direct result of his defensive mistakes resulting in points on the scoreboard for the opposition while he didn't produce.
Forsberg was fine for a young player in his first season on NA ice. Playing him on lower lines and scratching him was a waste.
Perhaps we should give the same treatment to some of our other veterans
contribute something more than secondary PP assists.
Such a microscope for Forsberg. Perhaps we need a full breakdown on all the Predators players and how many are secondary assists. Perhaps compared to the NHL? How many were against guys their own age? Against older guys? Perhaps on Sundays?
2 of top 3 overall scorers, top goalscorer and had the best goaltender in the tournament. Not bad.
I am waiting to hear from 101st how each of these players are terrible. *hitting refresh*