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LANA!!!!!
Curious to hear what everyone thinks about Tootoo and his role or importance to the team heading into next season.
I'm taking all factors into consideration- cap hit, energy guy role, the way Babs uses him (or doesn't), avg TOI, to PK or not PK, etc...
IMO, the Wings should look to deal him if possible. He wasn't given much TOI during the regular season, and didn't see the ice in the playoffs. His cap hit is too high to have him in the press box during crucial regular season and post-season games. I wonder if Babcock lobbied to get him signed, then wasn't thrilled with the present he seemed to have hand-picked.
And it's not that I don't like him as a player- I like the idea of having a guy on the Wings who has some speed, hits like a truck, agitates the opposition, stands up for his guys and chips in a little offensively. Tootoo seems to have carved out a similar role to Shawn Thornton, except that Thornton continues to get 4th line mins in playoff games, often sparking his team with a hit or challenge to an opponent, while 22 sits them out.
I think he may as well be moved this offseason if his role and IT will remain the same into next season- any opinions?
I'm taking all factors into consideration- cap hit, energy guy role, the way Babs uses him (or doesn't), avg TOI, to PK or not PK, etc...
IMO, the Wings should look to deal him if possible. He wasn't given much TOI during the regular season, and didn't see the ice in the playoffs. His cap hit is too high to have him in the press box during crucial regular season and post-season games. I wonder if Babcock lobbied to get him signed, then wasn't thrilled with the present he seemed to have hand-picked.
And it's not that I don't like him as a player- I like the idea of having a guy on the Wings who has some speed, hits like a truck, agitates the opposition, stands up for his guys and chips in a little offensively. Tootoo seems to have carved out a similar role to Shawn Thornton, except that Thornton continues to get 4th line mins in playoff games, often sparking his team with a hit or challenge to an opponent, while 22 sits them out.
I think he may as well be moved this offseason if his role and IT will remain the same into next season- any opinions?