Then allow me to rephrase: I prefer a RD who has never played LD in his life at LD over Marc Staal.
Staal is not an NHL player at this point. An NHL RD at LD > a non-NHL LD at LD.
I can always count on you.
Now they are losing me. Scratching Shattenkirk to hold him accountable is fine. Scratching Shattenkirk to hold him accountable while simultaneously allowing Staal to remain anchored to the defense is absolutely ****ing asinine.
It usually isn't the case that a player gets scratched for "bad play" in the sense of poor performance. Usually, it's more that they get scratched for not playing up to their ability. Staal's ability isn't nearly as good as Shattenkirk's, but of the two, Staal is definitely the one playing closer to his ability (such as it is).
Kirk being scratched is just baffling... not because it is undeserved but I really thought he'd show up ready to play.
Maybe not healed fully yet?
If Staal's maximum playing ability is 2/10 and Shattenkirks is 7/10, but Shatty is only playing to a 5/10 and Staal is playing to a 1.5/10, it is still a ridiculously poor decision IMO.
If Staal's maximum playing ability is 2/10 and Shattenkirks is 7/10, but Shatty is only playing to a 5/10 and Staal is playing to a 1.5/10, it is still a ridiculously poor decision IMO.
It's more like Shattenkirk is playing 5/10 when he could play 7/10, and Staal is playing pineapples/10 when that's pretty much all he's capable of.
So yeah, it's a ridiculously poor decision.
By that standard, I should get a look. I can't play at all so I'm meeting expectations.
If you were on the team, and were playing up to your ability of not being able to play at all, Shattenkirk would get scratched before you.
Good to know Shattenkirk would get scratched before me. Reeks of accountability.
I'll be sure to include that in my email to Gorton asking for a contract.It does, in fact.
Again. I get it. That doesn't change the fact that sending a message 2-3 games into the season is a poor idea.Healthy scratches are about sending a message to the player and the team. For young players, who are going to make a lot of mistakes, the message should be "play as well as you're capable" not "don't mess up."
Again. I get it. That doesn't change the fact that sending a message 2-3 games into the season is a poor idea.
Also, keep in mind, I don't dislike Staal as much as some here do. This decision just perplexes me a bit.
So just to get it straight, rebuilding team puts their best offensive forward prospects on the 4th line, puts their best defensive prospects with Staal after putting their 2nd best defensive prospect with Staal, and I am the crazy, unclear, lacking context poster for having concerns.