Injury Report: Stephens to IR... Veleno Re-Called

[lhsgolf19]

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[Ed Ned and Leddy]

I feel for Stephens, he's looked pretty good is his fourth line role. Very cool with that pick-up for a sixth round pick, hoping for a smooth recovery.

Glad to have Joey V back though, wish we'd stop yo-yoing him at this point.

 

[Go Wings]

I think Veleno should be the 3rd line center with Erne and Namistikov.

Rasmussen has been a black hole of offense with his low offense IQ.
I think the 3rd line was much better when Stephens was centering it for a few games.

 

[golffuul]

I think Veleno should be the 3rd line center with Erne and Namistikov.

Rasmussen has been a black hole of offense with his low offense IQ.
I think the 3rd line was much better when Stephens was centering it for a few games.

I love Ras in a 4th line role, but ultimately I think if Veleno can push hard enough for a job, he can force Stevie to finally start thinking about loosening up the logjam at center. I hope that Veleno just busts through and takes it, but I never know with some folks whether they understand that it's about consistency of effort versus showing flashes of brilliance.

 

[William Rusco]

Grand Rapids Griffins | Detroit Recalls Joe Veleno

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

poor joe shitting his pants

 

[Ishad]

Was he having a crappy time in the AHL?

 

[Winger98]

thread title fixed you freaks.

 

[William Rusco]

thread title fixed you freaks.

Thank You.

 

[FabricDetails]

poor joe shitting his pants

He have an STD as well?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

thread title fixed you freaks.

You should have left it as fecalled. Apparently Veleno is skating between Gagner and Rowney. If that's not being shit on then I don't know what is.

 

[Winger98]

You should have left it as fecalled. Apparently Veleno is skating between Gagner and Rowney. If that's not being shit on then I don't know what is.

I was really hoping he'd be on a line with Rasmussen. They seemed to know how to find each other and had strengths that complimented each other.

 

[HoweFan]

Yzerman give him a ride?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I was really hoping he'd be on a line with Rasmussen. They seemed to know how to find each other and had strengths that complimented each other.

I was hoping to see him center that 3rd line. Erne and Namestnikov have played strong most of the year. Rasmussen has been weak between them. With Veleno's speed and tenacity that line may be a decent offensive threat.

 

[Winger98]

I was hoping to see him center that 3rd line. Erne and Namestnikov have played strong most of the year. Rasmussen has been weak between them. With Veleno's speed and tenacity that line may be a decent offensive threat.

I don't think you value Rasmussen's play, but I think that third line works better with Veleno either way because when it's Erne/Ras/Namestnikov it's three guys who don't excel at actually getting into the zone and getting possession established. Veleno can be that puck carrier with either group.

Personal preference, I also like Veleno more on the wing right now.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

Joe is basically Young Ryan Kesler to me: Good Size, Good Speed, Good Strength, Hardworking, Good Head. Nothing "amazing" that defines him as a player other than he's a solid two-way pivot who does everything well. Is he the fastest? No, but you're not going to think he's ever trailing the play and it won't ever limit his ability to make an impact.

Does he have the best hands? No, but he's also going to be able to pull all just enough to get a goalie to drop, a defender to miss, or to get a bouncing puck under control. He is a true meat and potatoes player and I'm here for it.

As much as I'm completely out on Ras turning into the second coming of Jordan Staal - I'm equally on board with Veleno being that 2nd/3rd line C who is a 50pt, all rounder whose reliable and can play tough minutes against top scoring lines as a shutdown guy or play as a pivot to drive some secondary scoring.

Get this kid some experienced Wingers to play with in all situations: Names, and Erne see like great choices.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I don't think you value Rasmussen's play, but I think that third line works better with Veleno either way because when it's Erne/Ras/Namestnikov it's three guys who don't excel at actually getting into the zone and getting possession established. Veleno can be that puck carrier with either group.

Personal preference, I also like Veleno more on the wing right now.

My problem with Rasmussen is that too often he's behind the play two or three steps unless it's on his stick. I'm happy to admit that he improved his skating over the last 2 seasons so that he isn't 4 or 5 steps behind, but I just don't think he's got the IQ to stick in the NHL.

If you're big but not a burner on your skates you better be a mean, physical grinder, and Rasmussen ain't either.

If your hands aren't good enough to be a scoring threat then you better learn how to play tight defense, and Rasmussen is about as vanilla and mediocre as it comes to defense.

So...what does Rasmussen really bring to this team?

 

[TheOctopusKid]

My problem with Rasmussen is that too often he's behind the play two or three steps unless it's on his stick. I'm happy to admit that he improved his skating over the last 2 seasons so that he isn't 4 or 5 steps behind, but I just don't think he's got the IQ to stick in the NHL.

If you're big but not a burner on your skates you better be a mean, physical grinder, and Rasmussen ain't either.

If your hands aren't good enough to be a scoring threat then you better learn how to play tight defense, and Rasmussen is about as vanilla and mediocre as it comes to defense.

So...what does Rasmussen really bring to this team?

I forgot who said in - but it was a good point. If Ras was 5'11 instead of 6'5, he wouldn't even be in the league. The thing that gets me, and I sincerely mean that I wish Ras works out: The Wings would be amazing if he became a very strong player. The issue is all of these archtypes we compare him to or want him to become....he's not any of those things. Every year we try to think of a new role he could work towards and every year he's not any closer to figuring any of it out: We thought we got a 6'6 Two Way Beast - Joe Thornton! - except no. We thought he could become physical and domineering screener a la Ryan Smyth - nope. What about a defensive specialist and shutdown C like Staal? Negatory. We are now at "he's pretty good at faceoffs".

Its time to move on

 

[TheClap]

Yzerman give him a ride?

I'm hoping Mrs. Blashill does, so he can get moved up the line-up.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I forgot who said in - but it was a good point. If Ras was 5'11 instead of 6'5, he wouldn't even be in the league. The thing that gets me, and I sincerely mean that I wish Ras works out: The Wings would be amazing if he became a very strong player. The issue is all of these archtypes we compare him to or want him to become....he's not any of those things. Every year we try to think of a new role he could work towards and every year he's not any closer to figuring any of it out: We thought we got a 6'6 Two Way Beast - Joe Thornton! - except no. We thought he could become physical and domineering screener a la Ryan Smyth - nope. What about a defensive specialist and shutdown C like Staal? Negatory. We are now at "he's pretty good at faceoffs".

Its time to move on

That was probably me.

But yeah, I'm willing to give Rasmussen this season but if the coach has half a brain then he starts to give Veleno that 3rd line spot and bumps Ras to wing or to 4th line C if Rasmussen doesn't prove himself to be better. It's shit or get off the pot time.

 

[MabusIncarnate]

Wrong topic

 

[jaster]

I forgot who said in - but it was a good point. If Ras was 5'11 instead of 6'5, he wouldn't even be in the league. The thing that gets me, and I sincerely mean that I wish Ras works out: The Wings would be amazing if he became a very strong player. The issue is all of these archtypes we compare him to or want him to become....he's not any of those things. Every year we try to think of a new role he could work towards and every year he's not any closer to figuring any of it out: We thought we got a 6'6 Two Way Beast - Joe Thornton! - except no. We thought he could become physical and domineering screener a la Ryan Smyth - nope. What about a defensive specialist and shutdown C like Staal? Negatory. We are now at "he's pretty good at faceoffs".

Its time to move on

I agree with all of that.... except the final thought. As frustrating as he is, let's keep in mind he's still only 22 and the Wings are still in the midst of a rebuild. We can afford to keep trotting him out there and letting him potentially develop further. I'm sure before this team becomes competitive, or before we need to replace him (assuming he doesn't work out) in order to become competitive, we'll have a pretty solid idea of what the final product is.

 

[Henkka]

I think Veleno should be the 3rd line center with Erne and Namistikov.

Rasmussen has been a black hole of offense with his low offense IQ.
I think the 3rd line was much better when Stephens was centering it for a few games.

Veleno has scored points at 2 of his 9 career games. It's not like he the next Crosby to beat Rasmussen's low IQ.

Has not shown on the scoreboard anything significant yet.

Veleno is doing his NHL start very "filppula-way", is always leaving you want more. He is defending well, but yeah, so is Rasmussen. Don't make this a debate against Rasmussen, because the arguments are not working.

 

[Winger98]

I agree with all of that.... except the final thought. As frustrating as he is, let's keep in mind he's still only 22 and the Wings are still in the midst of a rebuild. We can afford to keep trotting him out there and letting him potentially develop further. I'm sure before this team becomes competitive, or before we need to replace him (assuming he doesn't work out) in order to become competitive, we'll have a pretty solid idea of what the final product is.

Bingo. Folks are upset that Rasmussen isn't all of these other guys. No, he is Michael Rasmussen, and he's growing his game a bit every year. He skates very well for a big guy. He is good defensively. While he isn't scoring any goals (yet) he's still put 6 points up in 16 games. He might never be the Getzlaf-lite we all dreamed of when he was picked, but he's also not a finished product, he's made strides every year, and while this isn't exactly a glowing endorsement there have been stretches of this season where he's been our 2nd best center. And he's doing it on a line that's essentially three bangers.

 

[Gniwder]

Veleno has scored points at 2 of his 9 career games. It's not like he the next Crosby to beat Rasmussen's low IQ.

Has not shown on the scoreboard anything significant yet.

Veleno is doing his NHL start very "filppula-way", is always leaving you want more. He is defending well, but yeah, so is Rasmussen. Don't make this a debate against Rasmussen, because the arguments are not working.

3 pts in 9 games including 2 goals.

Nobody's saying he's Crosby, but it's better than Raz who's doing his best Sheahan impression with no goals in his last 27 games.