Aerchon
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2011
- 10,544
- 3,772
I don't really live in a world of contradictions. If you really want to argue that Sam has had his numbers pumped, you can only really do so by pointing to last season when he played half the season with Hall and Eberle as his wingers after RNH went down. He posted nearly a 0.8 ppg that season. For all the other years he's been in the NHL he was a consistent 0.6 ppg player whether he's got Patrick O'Sullivan or Ales Hemsky on his wings.
Gagner is a much better defensive player than you give him credit for. He showed that last season when he was given the task of matching up against other teams top lines. Arcobello is not, to date, a better player than Sam Gagner. I'll go as far to say that I find it extremely unlikely that Arcobello plays well enough, for long enough, that the Oilers will find Sam Gagner expendable.
Here's my prediction for what happens:
- Sam comes back and takes his spot as the 2C (because veterans don't lose their spot in the lineup due to injury)
- Arcobello ends up playing between Jones/Smyth/Random 3rd liners, his point production plummets.
- HFOil starts calling for him to be sent back to the AHL
Gagner has played first or second line minutes pretty much every single night since he came into the league. While we have our best top 6 this year by a lot IMO to say he has been given less to work with than Arco is creative denial.
I am not exactly sure why liking Gagner the way you do means Arco sucks. He obviously doesn't. He clearly is the better player in the small sample size. I don't know if I can type enough until you admit that fact but it is very clear.
Your rationalization of him dropping to the third line and not producing could easily be used against Gagner as well.
Although I must admit your prediction is unfortunately the highest probability of a few senerios. I will counter it with the least likely and most desirable prediction myself.
Acro continues to rip it up until Gagner comes back late November. Adding a half dozen goals or more to go with his impressive assists.
Gagner comes back on the wing 3rd line, plays ok but ends up part of a multi player package that brings in a great goalie player/prospect and/or an upgrade for our forwards and/or D-corp.