Nick Spaling Question

[HydroF]

So when the trade with SJ went down, I wasn't thinking much about Spaling, wasn't even sure he would be playing, but this first game with us he looked really good. Looks like he could be a really nice boost to the bottom 6 if he keeps up the play he showed in that first game. However, it was one game, so I would just like some info on what you guys saw of him during his time in Toronto.

I see he wasn't shooting much, wasn't producing much. In general, was he noticeably bad? Just irrelevant on the ice? Solid but just couldn't finish?

I guess if someone can give me a run down of any strengths and/ or weaknesses that have been observed, so when watching him I can have a better idea of what to look at with this guy.

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[TheCLAM]

So when the trade with SJ went down, I wasn't thinking much about Spaling, wasn't even sure he would be playing, but this first game with us he looked really good. Looks like he could be a really nice boost to the bottom 6 if he keeps up the play he showed in that first game. However, it was one game, so I would just like some info on what you guys saw of him during his time in Toronto.

I see he wasn't shooting much, wasn't producing much. In general, was he noticeably bad? Just irrelevant on the ice? Solid but just couldn't finish?

I guess if someone can give me a run down of any strengths and/ or weaknesses that have been observed, so when watching him I can have a better idea of what to look at with this guy.

He's a work-horse in general all over the ice.. Physical, decent along the boards and a solid PK'er. The value in his game is that he can be shifted to LW if need be, however, he looks more comfortable at center. Spailing is a high-energy player who embodies a work-hard mentality that can be infectious to the players around him.

The offensive isn't really there.. He's works well in a structured down-low cycle, and won't create much offense himself.

He's a depth player.

I don't believe he scores close to 30 points again in the NHL

 

[A1LeafNation]

Leafs are a team without top line scoring so more pressure is put on the rest of the forwards to score. He is a fine player and will be a nice depth player for the Sharks, but that is all he will be.

 

[BackHandShelf22]

He's got a long track record of being a solid 3rd line forward who can play all 3 forward positions. He's a safe player to have in the lineup.

 

[burpsalot]

So when the trade with SJ went down, I wasn't thinking much about Spaling, wasn't even sure he would be playing, but this first game with us he looked really good. Looks like he could be a really nice boost to the bottom 6 if he keeps up the play he showed in that first game. However, it was one game, so I would just like some info on what you guys saw of him during his time in Toronto.

I see he wasn't shooting much, wasn't producing much. In general, was he noticeably bad? Just irrelevant on the ice? Solid but just couldn't finish?

I guess if someone can give me a run down of any strengths and/ or weaknesses that have been observed, so when watching him I can have a better idea of what to look at with this guy.

Spaling initially was playing about 18 minutes/game for Babcock, playing a role of a shutdown defensive 3rd line centre. He was playing through an injury throughout November & even missed a little over a week after reagravating it. Then he played the first half of December before the injury forced him to shut it down for about 6 weeks & returned at the end of January.

Prior to & following the injury, Babcock spoke very well of Spaling. He is a coaches/team player. His biggest strength is playing the role the coach wants. Deboer knows his capabilities as he coached him in Kitchener in Junior to a Memorial Cup finals (lost). Don't expect many points or goals, look at them as a bonus, but when he played with Deboer in Junior he did produce decent points.

 

[HydroF]

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[WTFMAN99]

So when the trade with SJ went down, I wasn't thinking much about Spaling, wasn't even sure he would be playing, but this first game with us he looked really good. Looks like he could be a really nice boost to the bottom 6 if he keeps up the play he showed in that first game. However, it was one game, so I would just like some info on what you guys saw of him during his time in Toronto.

I see he wasn't shooting much, wasn't producing much. In general, was he noticeably bad? Just irrelevant on the ice? Solid but just couldn't finish?

I guess if someone can give me a run down of any strengths and/ or weaknesses that have been observed, so when watching him I can have a better idea of what to look at with this guy.

Had injury issues and snake bitten this season offensively (most of the team has been).

Historically he's been good for 20-30ish points.

Not surprised he's doing better for you in San Jose, if you can keep him in a bottom 6 role, you'll be happy with what he gives you.