intangibles

[spydrwebb 0]

I haven't seen all of the games this season but for the ones I have been able to make, 3 players stand out as being instrumental to this team's success:

(in no particular order)

ericsson

mursak

emmerton

some things these guys have done show up on the stat sheet but most of it is positioning and follow through on their check or assignment.

i'm not making the argument that abdelkader, haydar, etc... are not equally important. i'm just pointing out that often times those not sharing the spotlight of "3 stars" announcements after the game might perhaps deserve honorable mention here.

i'm deeply impressed by ericsson if i had to choose one, but mursak's speed and awareness, coupled with emmerton's vision and execution... they make for a deadly combination. it's been fun to watch.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

A few interesting names you’ve tossed up there.

I’ve read a few reports that suggest Ericsson’s play has been a bit disappointing. I know this goes against what you were saying but he does have only 7 points for the season and he is still goalless. Kindl has eclipsed him as far as offensive output but Ericsson is still an alternate captain and logs heavy minutes.

Jan Mursak is one of my favouirte prospects and that’s why it’s been so disappointing that he’s been in and out of the line-up seemingly unable to gain any momentum. He’s played the last 3 games though so hopefully the coaching staff have been impressed with his play and will let him develop. He has only one assist but let’s remember Helm’s struggles to get on the board last year before he took off. I’m not ruling out a similar thing happening to Mursak.

I’veperhaps been a tad harsh on Emmerton in the past and have wondered whether people have been overrating him. Well now I’ve seen the light and realise he is a very fine prospect who appears to have top 6 potential in the NHL. After a slow start which saw him be a healthy scratch a few times he’s cemented his spot in the side and as a result is probably feeling more comfortable which lets him play his natural game. Still without a goal but he's chipping in with assists on a regular basis and before too long he should see time on both special units.

[Coyote0106 2]

Emmerton really has turned his game around once he got real playing time. He's done nothing but make plays and hustle. He earned his spot in the line-up.

Ericsson is a big help in the 3rd. He is able to keep players to the outside, and hold them up behind the net to waste more time. He played the entire game like that, he'd be in the NHL.

I'd add Oulahen and Tardiff to the list of "unsung heroes". They fight in the corners and come up with the puck. They get back defensively to help out when Galvin chokes up and gets beat. They are generally the "3rd assist".

I'd like to go even further and say the team disappointments.

I expected more out of Haydar. He was in an interview with Chi-town and said he still thinks he can play in the NHL. Well on this team, he should be putting up big points then. He is a scorer, and well, he hasn't been doing that up to expectations.

Another is Galvin. He is trying to make the play in the offensive zone, and getting burned in the defensive zone because of it. Forget the points, you're a D-MAN. Play your position.

Ericsson (first, and second period) is on the list. He is uninspired, and lazy the first two periods. He has made bad passes on clearing attempts, and that all important first pass out of the zone. He seems to "go through the motions". I really believe he should be sat for a game (the flu symptoms game doesn't count), or moved to a different line. Put Kindl up on the first line. That would shake it up, too.

[Johnny Law 15]

Ericsson (first, and second period) is on the list. He is uninspired, and lazy the first two periods. He has made bad passes on clearing attempts, and that all important first pass out of the zone. He seems to "go through the motions". I really believe he should be sat for a game (the flu symptoms game doesn't count), or moved to a different line. Put Kindl up on the first line. That would shake it up, too.

Not sure if the applies to Ericsson as I live in PA and don't get to see the Griffins very regularly but on HNIC radio last night they had a pretty long discussion of NHL caliber players in the AHL.

Basic summary was that first off these guys will become unmotivated and there isn't alot you can do about it, second that for NHL caliber guys it is actually more difficult to play at the AHL level. The reasoning is that at the NHL level everyone does their job while at the AHL level you can feed guys perfect passes and see no results. They seemed to feel it was especially difficult for goalies and defensemen as you can look like a total fool if someone else blows their assignment.

Again it may having nothing to do with Ericsson's play but I can see where it would be difficult to know you can accomplish a life long dream now but you have to wait a year because of the salary cap.