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.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.
poor joe shitting his pants
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.
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.
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?
Yzerman give him a ride?
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 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 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 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.
3 pts in 9 games including 2 goals.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.