ColePens
RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
I think it's maybe a tad too early to revisit this, but I also think it's safe to say he's had some good games and some very poor games. I want to be as true to myself as I possibly can, so i'll throw out some pros/cons.
+ He definitely plays well with Sheahan and has looked like an NHLer when not with Kuhn/Rowney. I think it's not even a debate that he's a better hockey player than Kuhn/Rowney.
+ There are about 2-3 games where I can really recall his physicality playing a big role.
+ I'm so anti-enforcer it's unreal, but watching NJ and seeing how those guys got cheap shot, I would at least make the argument that this season is NOTHING like last year in terms of the cheapshots we took night in/night out. Is it luck? Is it Reaves? It's hard to tell but it really has changed from last year. (please no jinx)
+ All around he's a damn class act and a great teammate. I know a lot of people will call shenanigans on this comment, but when you are in a locker room 24/7 with the guys, it pays huge dividends to have players like this. I know it's not reasonable to keep players just for that reason, but it really can make a work environment livable and boost the culture.
- He still can't keep up with the pace that we want to play and does not fit our identity. Being that he can't play more than 4-6 minutes a night, I would say my worries came true.
- He's not offensively gifted at all and I completely understand why he has 1 single point in 36 playoff games.
- I don't think the payment was justified. You can say we "moved down" but we kept our 1st rounder for a reason and then did that. Made no sense. Move up if anything and get a guy you really want.
- I do not want to re-sign this guy. Not even for league min.
Overall I can say he hasn't been as big of an issue as I thought he'd be. He's actually been okay and I think with 2 skilled players, he wouldn't be as horrific as he was all year with Rowney/Kuhn. So my opinion went from absolutely hating it to realizing it wasn't as bad as we all made it seem. What do you think?
+ He definitely plays well with Sheahan and has looked like an NHLer when not with Kuhn/Rowney. I think it's not even a debate that he's a better hockey player than Kuhn/Rowney.
+ There are about 2-3 games where I can really recall his physicality playing a big role.
+ I'm so anti-enforcer it's unreal, but watching NJ and seeing how those guys got cheap shot, I would at least make the argument that this season is NOTHING like last year in terms of the cheapshots we took night in/night out. Is it luck? Is it Reaves? It's hard to tell but it really has changed from last year. (please no jinx)
+ All around he's a damn class act and a great teammate. I know a lot of people will call shenanigans on this comment, but when you are in a locker room 24/7 with the guys, it pays huge dividends to have players like this. I know it's not reasonable to keep players just for that reason, but it really can make a work environment livable and boost the culture.
- He still can't keep up with the pace that we want to play and does not fit our identity. Being that he can't play more than 4-6 minutes a night, I would say my worries came true.
- He's not offensively gifted at all and I completely understand why he has 1 single point in 36 playoff games.
- I don't think the payment was justified. You can say we "moved down" but we kept our 1st rounder for a reason and then did that. Made no sense. Move up if anything and get a guy you really want.
- I do not want to re-sign this guy. Not even for league min.
Overall I can say he hasn't been as big of an issue as I thought he'd be. He's actually been okay and I think with 2 skilled players, he wouldn't be as horrific as he was all year with Rowney/Kuhn. So my opinion went from absolutely hating it to realizing it wasn't as bad as we all made it seem. What do you think?