Where does he do the most good for the team?
I didn't declare shit. I'm stating my opinion on player development. You know, having a discussion on a discussion board.
Then where was the courage of your convictions last season when he was playing wing? As for declaring, you did clearly state if he isn't playing center in the NHL he should be sent down to the AHL.
I guess my question is... is it better for him to play against better competition as a wing in the nhl or lesser competition as a center in the AHL? I honestly dont know the answer but i get the sentiment that he needs to get time at center if he is going to improve there. At the same time, what does that due to our other ahl centers svechkov/burke/etc.
I remember that stretch where Parssinen and Forsberg were clicking, and for some reason the coach split them up and it was never the same after.
This is a key point. This year should be all about developing the team. It's the honeymoon phase for the new GM, new coach, and new leadership group. There is no need for panic behind the bench. Burn all the short hooks. Put together lines based on the strengths and weaknesses and how the players can best fit the new systems. Then give them soak time to gel, make mistakes, and learn. If they're not successful and get bogged down unable to make progress, at least you have the film, know what was tried, and know what to do. The only other risk is that the player develops and becomes a competent NHL player.
The reality is that Forsberg was hot forthe 8 games before Parssinen, then during Parssinen's first 4 games where Jusso had 5 points They continued to skate together as linemates for the next three games (Jusso's 5-7th NHL gams) before Parssinen and Duchene started skating together more frequently for about a week ... then a line blender in mid December before the Sissons-Parssinen-Forsberg line in late December/early January where they had some success again.
Pretty exciting really.
The blender approach of recent years was a classic example of diminishing returns. It too often seemed to be the only tool in the toolbox though.
That's the thing, as long as Trotz and Brunette keep to what they were talking about in the summer, it almost doesn't matter if they win or lose. Up-tempo games with full opportunity given to the young players, and the new leadership more as supporting players than high-paid stars should be fun to watch regardless of wins and losses... and at the same time bode well for the future - just having hope and optimism is also fun.
O'Reilly has been consistently good on faceoffs, so I imagine they will just continue to lean on him and Sissons for key draws, and the loss of Johansen won't be felt at all in that respect.
He was early on when he sat in the press box more than played. He and Parssinen are basically 50/50, which is neither good nor bad.
Yeah we had roughly the same point percentage before and after the trade deadline, but it was a lot more fun watching our young guys play than our vets even if the end result was mostly the same. I will be disappointed if we are a bottom barrel team but as long as we are in the playoff hunt through the trade deadline I'll be mostly happy.
