Zadina-Larkin pairing
- Thread starter MBH
- Start date
OgeeOgelthorpe
Baldina
- Feb 29, 2020
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Zadina to the AHL does not need to happen.
Larkin is not a playmaker. Hell, he's not looking like much of a finisher now. "Helm with hands" is starting to seem like a stretch with his current cold streak. Larkin has been making poor decisions on the ice. He's been late on the backcheck a lot. When the puck is transitioning out of our zone he skates in a straight line to where he's between the left wing/center and the other team's 2 defensemen, thus eliminating him as an option to receive a pass and enter the zone with speed. He's been bad.
If anything is clear, it's that Zadina needs a playmaker. Before the covid protocol he looked good with Fabbri and Ryan.
You should also note that Bobby Ryan hasn't scored a goal when not playing with Zadina.
You shouldn't be blaming the 21 year old rookie. You should be blaming the 24 year old veteran, team captain, current franchise cornerstone and top scorer for a 7 game cold streak and for not elevating the play of his wingers.
Larkin is not a playmaker. Hell, he's not looking like much of a finisher now. "Helm with hands" is starting to seem like a stretch with his current cold streak. Larkin has been making poor decisions on the ice. He's been late on the backcheck a lot. When the puck is transitioning out of our zone he skates in a straight line to where he's between the left wing/center and the other team's 2 defensemen, thus eliminating him as an option to receive a pass and enter the zone with speed. He's been bad.
If anything is clear, it's that Zadina needs a playmaker. Before the covid protocol he looked good with Fabbri and Ryan.
You should also note that Bobby Ryan hasn't scored a goal when not playing with Zadina.
You shouldn't be blaming the 21 year old rookie. You should be blaming the 24 year old veteran, team captain, current franchise cornerstone and top scorer for a 7 game cold streak and for not elevating the play of his wingers.
MTU hockey
Registered User
IMO they aren't a good fit together, Zadina likes to play a little more east-west style and larks is north-south player. Also Larkin, especially this year isn't exactly a plus playmaker so him and Zadina aren't able to give and go.
golffuul
Registered User
- Oct 24, 2011
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To me, it feels like Zadina is an afterthought in terms of how the offense operates. Which is fine, except you have him on the top PP and Martha is on the 2nd unit. Both times he looked like he was being ignored, and he is “skill-wise” Detroit’s best goal-scorer. I can understand that he needs to show himself, in terms of opportunities and such, but everyone playing with him, seems to not even consider him an option. Larkin is the biggest offender to this, because Larkin plays like a winger but lines up at center.
MBH
Players Play
It's not about blame.
It's about finding a place where he works. I liked him with Ryan, because Ryan and Fabbri shoot the puck.
And I don't see much evidence that Zadina needs a playmaker. To be honest, his shot is overrated.
What I like is just his IQ and hands
kliq
Registered User
- Dec 17, 2017
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If this was the playoffs and we had to win now, 100% I would break them up. The fact that we are in a season where we have zero shot of doing anything AND it actually benefits us to loose, I would prefer to keep them together a bit longer and see if they can build chemistry. These two are are going to be pillars on our team moving forward, it is very advantageous to our team if they can build that.
Not to mention, 90min is such a small sample size.
Not to mention, 90min is such a small sample size.
OgeeOgelthorpe
Baldina
- Feb 29, 2020
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- 18,351
Zadina's shot is more than fine to score in the league.
Playmakers are able to find their teammates in the quiet spaces of the ice. Goal scorers are able to find those quiet spaces. These two go hand in hand. It's incredibly rare in NHL history that great goalscorers are able to do it all on their own.
Zadina is a natural goal scorer but we don't have any real playmakers on this team.
Can Zadina be a line driver? I think so. He's one of the better options that we have. Where I think his real strength lies is being the guy that finds the quiet spots on the ice while a skilled player rags the puck and dishes it off to him. Zadina knows where to be to score goals but we have a bunch of offensive dunces on this team aside from Zadina, Ryan and Bertuzzi.
I'm really hoping that he and Raymond develop some chemistry because I think they'd play well off of each other. And I think that Zadina and Veleno displayed good chemistry together at the 2019 prospect camp, even though Veleno was the one putting the puck in the net and Zadina couldn't buy a goal..
Dotter
THE ATHLETIC IS GARBAGE
I like Zadina on the top line with Larks. Give him some hard minutes. Other than not scoring, he has looked pretty fiery out there.
golffuul
Registered User
- Oct 24, 2011
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And he’s super reliable in the d-zone and on the forecheck. Something a few other forwards we have could learn to do better.
Hatter of the Beach
I’m the real hero
While I agree on the north/south east/west style discrepancy, I think a bigger reason that line can’t do anything lately is Brome.
They actually looked very good when G. Smith is playing
They actually looked very good when G. Smith is playing
golffuul
Registered User
- Oct 24, 2011
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Completely agree. Smith brings space and net front presence that Brome can’t. I really loved Smith with Larkin/Zadina. Was hoping to see more of that.
Oddbob
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2016
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Zadina has been one of our better players this year, and he needs to go to the AHL? Oh dear! Just cause he isn't scoring yet, doesn't mean he isn't doing other things well.
He's been bashing Zadina all season so I find it no surprise he wants him to be sent down.
MBH
Players Play
Zadina has not been one of our better players.
He's been part of a big group doing next to nothing.
Gniwder
Registered User
That pretty much settles it, Zadina belongs on the second line, and put the BLM line back together
Mlotek
Registered User
Shaman464
No u
I am more and more convinced you don’t actually watch hockey. Zadina has been playing better than most of the forwards.
golffuul
Registered User
- Oct 24, 2011
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I disagree...he's shown the most consistent effort on the forecheck and is really responsible. That he's not putting up offensive numbers is simply because we don't have the talent available to us to enable his game and I don't think Blashill is at all interested in making him the focal point of our PP or a primary option in our normal offensive scheme.
That was true before he went on COVID protocol. He's been a nobody since he returned, stapled to Larkin's line.
He needs find a way to get more involved in the play, he hardly ever has the puck on that line. In the offensive zone he's always just sitting in the slot doing nothing watching Larks and Brome battle along the boards. Those guys never find him because (1) they're not very good playmakers and (2) Zadina is stationary and always covered. So hes never a passing option, doesn't get involved in any cycle. Larks and Bromes only option is passing it back to the point or cycling with each other.
Shortstuff
#19
Shaman464
No u
What I am really watching is his back checking and moving north/south with the play. Those to me are more work ethic based. His position in the offensive zone may be his own making or it could be where Blash wants him.
deca guard
Registered User
blash isnt capable of properly focusing / developing a player , move on from this coaching staff
