ChristopherReevesLegs

To be fair to Sergei, he didn't abandon a contract mid-term. Datsyuk did. But yes, the motivations behind Datsyuk's decision were a little more endearing than Fedorov's.

My point was that IMO the threshold on talent for being a net-front guy is lower than for most other roles. Not that it's not a skill. It certainly is. In front of the net you don't have to pass/skate/think-the-game too much. Which is why big strong players who are not as skilled can fill this role. For example: I like Abdelkader in the front of the net, but I wouldn't want him anywhere else on the PP. Mantha is big and strong, like Abdelkader, so he's great at net-front... but he's also very skilled where Abby is not. His passing/skating/IQ essentially isn't being utilized on the PP in this role. Which is why I can see the argument that you put some one else (like an Abdelkader or Rasmussen) there and let Mantha loose on the open ice. Anyway, my view on Mantha's role is not rigid. I'm fine with him playing either role, I think he has the skills to do either/or. You seem to be certain he should only play net-front... I would have to disagree there. I think he can probably do both jobs

Yeah, f*** Glendening. There's only room for one Luke Skywalker on this team. Holland > Grand Rapids

I thought it would have been Hicketts over Hronek, but by all means gimme another RHed offensive Dman

Checks handedness Sorry, gonna have to pass on this one

Need elite point-man

As long as we call him forward-bro I'm fine with that

FREEP: Draper on 2019 draft, Zadina, and Rasmussen Broman is my guy, I'm not changing my mind. Nickname potential is off the chain.

2. It definitely takes a certain skill-set/type of player. Not every player is suited for it. 3. I don't know if Rasmussen will ever be as good as Holmstrom in front of the net, but he probably won't have to be. Homer was average at most other facets of the game and carved out his niche that he excelled at. Rasmussen is talented at seemingly all facets of the game, he just chooses to play in the dirty areas cause he's a badass like that.

Less than 50 days now until hockey You know were getting close when the commercials channge. HA HA losers

I think a key point to the Net-Front/Outside-Shooter debate, and disagree with me if I'm wrong, is that there's a much lower threshold of talent needed to be a net-front guy. I say talent in the traditional sense (passing/skating/shooting/dangles/hockeyIQ). Look at Holmstrom and Abby. Not the most talented players of all time by any means. Probably both bottom 6ers if not utilized in niche roles. Talent for the net-front role is different. As a net front guy you just gotta preferably be on the larger side, strong, aggressive or at least willing to take abuse, and hopefully have some hand-eye coordination to get your blade on a flying puck once in awhile. These players are a lot more easy to come by than top flight talented players, and the role is easier to fill. In that sense I think it can feel like Mantha's talent is being wasted as the net front-guy. Especially if you have a high opinion of his other talents. There's an argument to be made that you should move the talented guy to the outside where he can snipe/skate/play-make, and insert an Abdlkader/Bertuzzi/Rasmussen/Smith type player down low instead. And that argument is helped by the fact that Rasmussen, a very talented player who's made his home in front of the net, is likely entering the team. Like Dabura said, our PP blows chunks right now, therefore I'm all open to experimentation. I'd love to see Mantha forced to play a variety of roles on the PP.

Isnt rich n morty canceled yet?

Id invest, but ill be jumping ship for the Seattle Sock-Eyes too soon now

Enstrom is rumored to be signing with Modo in Sweden soon.

Former Red Wing Joe Vitale has been named the new color analyst for the St. Louis Blues

Andrew Nielsen (Leafs 3rd round pick from 2015) just removed Maple Leafs from his bio on twitter and started following the Ducks. Trade incoming? THE STOVE IS HOT

Eh so we keep him, no biggie. He's one of our better Dmen anway.

Could be great trade. GETHERDUNCAN!

Gimme dat 2nd rounder. Gitterdunkin

They talk about that like 8 minutes in Scott says he ranks Witkowski as a top 5 enforcer right now (sad) because most of the heavyweights have left the game. I think both mention the only guy left who's a feared enforcer is Ryan Reaves.

Witkowski on former NHL All-star John Scott's podcast

It literally is. Shooting percentage goes up the closer you get to the net. I assume you're using the old sarcasm. Those first 3 players just suck. Way too soon to put AA or Mantha on a list of "ruined" players.

Lol you're doubling-down on misrepresenting my argument. Fantastic. As I've stated numerous times now, I think his natural playstyle coming up through juniors was NOT net-front. Because of that, yes, I would be happy to see Ras take that net-front job for from him so he can go back to playing on the outside more. I still hold the belief he can be a good top-circle shooter if we need him to be. Do I really care if this happens or not? No. Why? Because Mantha has proven he's realy good at the net-front front job. I'll be happy either way. Does that make sense to you? I don't wanna have to explain again. Now that that's clear, let's bring it back around. Where did I say Mantha is being ruined? Where did say Blashill is misusing Mantha? You're exaggerating and misrepresenting the talking points of others. I'd still love to discuss Mantha's usage if you're done manufacturing your own outrage though.

BTW... Tri-Cities named Rasmussen C again for this coming year. Maybe they're expecting him back? Probably just a formality just in case thou

I kid