Player Discussion Kevin Fiala

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any idea on why he isnt swapped with kaprisov? maybe kap can spark line 2 and fiala can spark line 1

 

Because Zucc and Kap have shown the only real forward chemistry other than Ek with Greenway and Foligno.

 

Breaking up Zuccarello and Kap would be insanity.

Part of Fiala's playing style is to be a one man show. I have yet to see him click with any one player except Spurgeon, which isn't all that useful. We can always hope that Boldy shows up this spring and they make beautiful music together.

 

Fiala needs a player who can be a play maker, but can also be a sniper. Staal worked well with Fiala for that reason... he didn't want to hog the puck so much, as to get into position while Fiala did his thing.

 

if we want any chance in contending in the plaoyffs we need to spark fiala asap

 

On pace for 41 points over 82 games. Looks lost with the puck in his stick at times.

 

Wonder if watching the favoritism he had last year vanish thanks to Kap has hindered him at all

 

I’m sure it’s not easy mentally

 

Having another impact player on the team should inspire him, and will also give him more opportunities, as Kap is now going to get the attention of the shutdown line. I like his(Fiala's) effort, but he's got to play smarter, and, at the end of the day, put the puck in the net.

 

Keeps the next contract down I guess.

 

Yeah, and with luck Kap will stop scoring, so we won't have to pay him anything.

 

He seems to be playing decent, just nowhere near the puck luck and shooting he had last year.

 

He’s been bad. Funny enough, he’s been a little better defensively, but that’s not saying much. He’s defering way too much. Forcing too many passes that aren’t there. When he’s at his best he’s dynamic 1 on 1. He just needs to take what’s given to him. If there’s no pass there, assess the situation, if it’s one where it makes sense to try and make a move, do it. If a turnover is too risky, circle back or get the puck in.

 

He had made bad choices yes, I do think he isn’t awful though. He really just looks like he lacks confidence. Zero mojo

 

I don’t disagree with you there. Most natural talent I’ve seen in a long time too.

 

I think that's 100% the problem, now, how does he fix it? All the skill in the world means nothing if that's what you're going to get from him on a nightly basis.

 

Agreed I think he needs to sit a night or two, then play against bottom six people and just terrorize them.

unsure how to fix it other then sit him for mental reset and refocus on what worked for him last year

 

Well I don’t agree with this.

If he can get some momentum I think he’ll run with it. I just think it’s going to be hard to do.

 

I think he suffers not having anyone that can build chemistry with him. He seems to work well with Staal last year. However, I’m not going to rehash that trade and idk if it work this year with how Staal looks.

he really needs a center or wing that compliments him for next year. Be it Boldy, Rossi, or someone TBD.

 

He needs to play with an enabler. A smart, skilled player. Doesn't have to be the fastest or anything, or a puck handler. Maybe Boldy will be just the thing, centered by JEE/FA .

 

You don’t sit a player when he is struggling and needs a reset? Just ride it out and hope for the best?

 

He actually doesn’t look too bad with Johansson, who should feed into his selfishness as he loves to pass instead of shoot.

 

I mean Fiala put up record points with Parise and Staal. He's definitely playing "frustrated" hockey as eavson put it and he's just not the same player he was on his roll last year.

It's not to say it's a bad thing in the long term. I still believe God mode Fiala can come alive again on this team and with Kap in the future.

 

Johansson has looked weirdly ok. He didn't impress me at all earlier in the year, and I'm not saying that he is anything great right now, but he looks faster, anyway. Might be an option at C with Fiala?