joshjull
Registered User
The issue is historically Eakin gets out-shot/out-chanced, even in an offensive slanted deployment. It certainly isn’t the same role because at the end of the day he has been on the ice for more given up than Larsson, while Eakin has been on considerably better teams. If Eakin plays how he usually does, that is not an improvement.
Do you want the guy with better counting stats who gave up more than his points in GA or the guy with lesser counting stats who was a net positive even in ridiculous use?
The closest Larsson came to the underlined was this year. He broke even (xGF- 51%) was a net positive (GF% - 55%) but it wasn’t in a ridiculous deployment. His deployment was tough but not ridiculously so (OZS% - 41%) Like in previous years.
The rest of his career he averaged
GF% -41%
XGF% -44%
OZS% - 32%
He certainly played ridiculously tough minutes prior to this season but he didn’t come near being a net positive in them. His legend seems to grow beyond what he actually was as a player.
Eakin wasn’t brought in to replace Larsson’s role/usage. If I had to guess based on his career OZS% of 54%. He will be tasked with the role they were hoping Mitts could handle last season (bottom six/secondary scoring center).
Eakin’s career numbers (GF% - 49%/xGF% - 49%) are nothing special nor horrible. His effectiveness IMO will largely rest of the quality of his linemates.