What drives me nuts about Brassard is how he gives up on the play in both the offensive and defensive zone. There are plenty of times where there is still a 30-40% chance to make a play and he just stands and watches. It is especially frustrating on the defensive zone side of things. He sometimes just drifts and doesn't go to the play. It drives me a bit mad.
It's a bit like Sheahan. If you saw Sheahan's sense of urgency and hunger in the Caps game, you would never believe that is the same player we've had for every other game this year. I just don't get why you don't see that out of Sheahan AT LEAST 20+ games. Now for Brassard, same thing. He's just more talented. The "sense of urgency" or maybe there is a better word to describe it, is just not there. That is where Bones really made up. He would go down to block a shot as if he were the goalie and maybe there was only a 20% chance of actually blocking it.
This whole thread just reaffirms my belief that this fanbase just had unrealistic expectations of a third line center. It's like because we have a generational player as our second line center, our third line center should only be a step below that?
Serious question to people saying all of Brassard, Bonino, and Sutter are not good 3c's: how many points would you be happy with from that position?
This whole thread just reaffirms my belief that this fanbase just had unrealistic expectations of a third line center. It's like because we have a generational player as our second line center, our third line center should only be a step below that?
Serious question to people saying all of Brassard, Bonino, and Sutter are not good 3c's: how many points would you be happy with from that position?
100%.
Jordan Staal is not a 3C. Bonino is a high end 3C. Sutter a low end 3C.
Brassard is struggling and still is playing at a 30+ pace.
Maybe Scandella. Pens need an offensive driver on D though. Not interested in the rest tbh, for Brassard anyway.
What drives me nuts about Brassard is how he gives up on the play in both the offensive and defensive zone. There are plenty of times where there is still a 30-40% chance to make a play and he just stands and watches. It is especially frustrating on the defensive zone side of things. He sometimes just drifts and doesn't go to the play. It drives me a bit mad.
It's a bit like Sheahan. If you saw Sheahan's sense of urgency and hunger in the Caps game, you would never believe that is the same player we've had for every other game this year. I just don't get why you don't see that out of Sheahan AT LEAST 20+ games. Now for Brassard, same thing. He's just more talented. The "sense of urgency" or maybe there is a better word to describe it, is just not there. That is where Bones really made up. He would go down to block a shot as if he were the goalie and maybe there was only a 20% chance of actually blocking it.
Its like, maybe 45 points, to be honest?
Which is what those guys have gotten.
I just, point TOTALS is one thing. I think people would rather third line scoring that happens at an every other game pace, rather than 3pt night and nothing for the next 5 games?
Or more consistent shut down defense. If they aren't gonna score, they better as damn well not allow scores against.
I dunno.
Bonino is NOT a high end 3c. He played like when when HBK was on fire, but for the rest of his time here was average at best.
Kuhn sucks. Rowney sucks. Reaves sucks. Gladams was a truckful of suckage. Sutter doesn't suck, he's just a low end 3C that isn't going to help you win a Cup if he's playing there. Some people talk on here like he's barely an NHL player and that's absolutely a symptom of our center expectations syndrome.Sutter sucks. The other are good.
To respond to the other thread- no, Bonino wasn’t a possession black hole like Sutter.
Bonino was really effective when the HBK line was doing it's thing. However, he struggled after that. Even though he scored some key goals the follow year, his play took a hit. I would still take him over Sutter though.
The trade off of making the third line more offensive is that you then need to make Sid and Malkin's lines more two-way/possession lines as they'd have to take (a few) more d-zone starts, plus the fact that you really can't get 6 offensive top 9 wingers on one team. I would personally be fine with trying it, but it's easier said than done.JR is right. This teams biggest need is a strong offensive third line with Kessel on it.
The trade off of making the third line more offensive is that you then need to make Sid and Malkin's lines more two-way/possession lines as they'd have to take (a few) more d-zone starts, plus the fact that you really can't get 6 offensive top 9 wingers on one team. I would personally be fine with trying it, but it's easier said than done.
Bonino is NOT a high end 3c. He played like when when HBK was on fire, but for the rest of his time here was average at best.