Is anyone else underwhelmed by Leino?

[jollymania 162]

nitpicky.

[Glubki 17]

In the first period he skated from down low and brought the puck to the half-boards before being heemed in by two Penguins. Instead of dropping the puck back down low he pushed it towards the center of the ice which almost led to an odd man rush. Other than that he has been pretty good.

Edited June 1, 2009 by Glubki

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

He needs to fight more often.

The guy's a 4th liner in a blue collar town for crying out loud.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I'm not disappointed with leino. It's going to take some more time for him to adjust to playoff hockey, he already looked more comfortable tonight than in previous games. After a full season in the NHL, and maybe if he gets some time on the top 3 lines, he will be great for us.

Now, someone I'm disappointed in is Hudler. Completely invisible for the last couple of games.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I'm not disappointed with leino. It's going to take some more time for him to adjust to playoff hockey, he already looked more comfortable tonight than in previous games. After a full season in the NHL, and maybe if he gets some time on the top 3 lines, he will be great for us.

Now, someone I'm disappointed in is Hudler. Completely invisible for the last couple of games.

Yeah, Hudler has struggled for a while now.

I don't know if it's because of the line combos or what, but he just hasn't shot the puck very often. He needs to be more aggressive.

[Yak19 303]

He hasn't been spectacular but he doesn't deserve a thread about not playing to potential, it is the playoffs and some adapt better then others. Leino will get there. If Datsyuk does come back it will be Leino left out.

[Grim 5]

Now, someone I'm disappointed in is Hudler. Completely invisible for the last couple of games.

Hudler has indeed been very disappointing. Leino on that fourth line has been huge!

[Doc Holiday 0]

Just because Abdelkader is scoring at will doesn't mean all GR prospects are supposed to.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Oh em gee.. not everyone's gonna be Helm. Did you really expect him to be a star over night? What happened to ... "We need Leino" "Bring Leino in"? Gimme a friggin break.

[Doc Holiday 0]

He needs to fight more often.

The guy's a 4th liner in a blue collar town for crying out loud.

Excellent.

[Guest blueadams]

I guess that helm and abby have just been setting the bar too high.

per Hudler...did anyone else notice that Babs had him out on the 1st pp unit tonight?

[Vladifan 680]

No. He's making waves out there. I am underwhelmed by Sammy and Hudler. They are not doing much at all out there except for giving up the puck.

[superdeluxe 0]

He is a rookie on the 4th line, that hasn't really hurt the team. Not sure what the issue is.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Now, someone I'm disappointed in is Hudler. Completely invisible for the last couple of games.

How can you be dissapointed in Hudles? He's had a good playoff and he's been there when we needed him. He's not a playmaker and he's not costing us games. Cut him some slack. He's probably started the party already.

[Snazzy 0]

He doesn't appear to be playing as well, at least offensively, as he did during the regular season. He's looked uncomfortable with the puck in general, but especially carrying it through the neutral zone. Seems to be skating with his head down, not at all smooth, not at all fluid, etc. etc. etc. He hasn't looked like a liability defensively, and he's playing pretty strong.........but man...........after the impact he had offensively in his short stint with the club, I've got to say that I am more than a little dissapointed. I thought we were going to be seeing another Hudler-type player here.

um, last time I checked we are 2-0 in the series. Outscoring pens 6-2 and Leino's line is contributing..... and Leino is a rookie. Please don't make anymore threads. I don't feel like reading "Is Zetterberg underwhelming you too?"

[Guest L3T5G0W1NG5]

as long as leino isn't a - im =]

[Finnish Wing 110]

As I said in the other topic. Leino is in the wrong role right now, he's not that fast either. But he will easily become a point producer after he works with hes skating and gets to play regularly in the 2-3 lines. And I mean regulalry; it isn't easy to shine if you get moved between lines all the time. Leino is still one of the best in this team to stick with the puck in the offensive zone...

Edited June 1, 2009 by Finnish Wing

[Husker BigGuy 0]

Hudler had an excellent assist last night.

[jvxp 0]

He doesn't appear to be playing as well, at least offensively, as he did during the regular season. He's looked uncomfortable with the puck in general, but especially carrying it through the neutral zone. Seems to be skating with his head down, not at all smooth, not at all fluid, etc. etc. etc. He hasn't looked like a liability defensively, and he's playing pretty strong.........but man...........after the impact he had offensively in his short stint with the club, I've got to say that I am more than a little dissapointed. I thought we were going to be seeing another Hudler-type player here.

Did you just start watching hockey? This post should be closed.

[Red4wings4life 0]

Nope, I am not underwhelmed by Leino. he is playing like a rookie in the Cup finals. Remember the Pens last year.

He is playing well defensively and is creating offense, what more can you ask for? He is not making mistakes that cost the team and is getting great experience for his years to come.

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Not underwhelmed at all. This is EXACTLY what I expected from him.

Let's remember he wouldn't be playing at all if Datsyuk OR Draper were healthy.

There's a reason he wasn't playing during the Anaheim series even though a lot of people here were screaming for it.

He's not seen the intensity of this type of hockey. It takes an adjustment. I personally think he's been looking better the past 2 games honestly.

He has been pretty consistent on the forecheck, with a scant exception or two he's been pretty solid defensively AND he hasn't make any bad turnovers that I can remember.

[C-Dub 0]

He also tends to give it away a little too often.

...because he hangs on to it way too long. Instead of picking it up and cycling with it for a few and dumping it back in if nothing is open, he just keeps on keeping on until he turns it over.

He's a rookie and shows it. Like it was said already, this is a great lesson for him already this early in his career to be playing in the SC Finals.

[dat's sick 1,002]

How can you be dissapointed in Hudles? He's had a good playoff and he's been there when we needed him. He's not a playmaker and he's not costing us games. Cut him some slack. He's probably started the party already.

He's just completely invisible out there for a lot of games, even to the point that I forget what line he is on.

Atleast he's not doing many mistakes, but I wish he'd get more involved offensively and shoot the puck more.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

He s not gonna get stucked in AHL again next year that s for sure: it s either NHL or Europe

Yes, I heard that too. Then I say don't let the door hit you in the ass. Bye bye!!

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Only read the OP and what a ridiculous post it was.

Leino has done everything that could've been expected from him. He's got an assist, he's a + rating, he's had no glaring giveaways that I can recall and more importantly, whenever he's out on the ice the 4th line is always in their zone, that's what you want from the 4th.

He's not being asked to score at a goal a game pace (like Abdelkader! ), his role is to create a few chances but give rest to the top guys and keep their defensive pairings triyng to regain control of the puck.