Guest Playmaker Report post Posted March 23, 2014 Then they should have a most improved team award. Meh, I don't really care much about awards. It's like the Norris trophy often goes to the most offensive defenseman. Awards are nice and all, but there's really only one prize that matters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 Meh, I don't really care much about awards. It's like the Norris trophy often goes to the most offensive defenseman. Awards are nice and all, but there's really only one prize that matters. Two awards. The Conn Smythe is huge, a recognition of a huge part of why you get the "one prize that really matters", imo. Who turns on beast mode in the playoffs is well worth the recognition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Playmaker Report post Posted March 23, 2014 There is often more than one deserving player for the CS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mckinley25 677 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 There is often more than one deserving player for the CS. And sometimes theyre on the other team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,959 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 Glendening-Sheahan-Miller. Boom, 4th line. You'd have to think Andersson is the odd man out when we get healthy. Nothing against him, but he is such a slow skater. Sheahan can more than make up for the points Andy would put up. I agree Andy is the odd man out, but no way should the Jurco - Sheahan - Tatar line be split up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,963 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 I agree Andy is the odd man out, but no way should the Jurco - Sheahan - Tatar line be split up. If we get healthy Jurco will be back in Grand Rapids Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dangledangle 965 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 Jimmy with two nice saves. Lots of average goaltending from him today. Again, it is indeed possible for an average goalie to make nice, above average saves. He lets in A LOT of bad/poorly timed goals (in addition to his lack of puck playing ability and rebound control). And when you don't ignore half the information, we arrive at.....Howard Is AVERAGE!!! Amazing how that works hey? THIS season Howie hasn't been good at all. When I saw his win/loss stat the other day I almost shat. BUT the first thing I remembered was it was Jimmy Howard who, like a workhorse I'll add, was the goalie that won game after game during our " playoff pushes" in recent years. Which is also why he received the contract he did. ....point being he has the skill set to be an above average goalie, he's strung a few together in a row so if we embrace that he should gain his confidence back...it is a better option then in Toronto where they throw the Goalie under the proverbial bus. It's only been a few in a row but this team has really impressed me, beaten some hard teams and fought hard in others. If no one else came back from injury even I'll say that I do think the current crew could win a cup! Edit: Sorry I'm a little over exuberant from wins, beers & goose Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 If we get healthy Jurco will be back in Grand Rapids Bingo. IF healthy, I see Nyquist - Sheahan - Tatar being a thing while Jurco goes back to GRs to dominate with Pulkinen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themcityblues 249 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 If Jurco does go right back to GR, how do you think management will assess his performance? When will he be back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 If Jurco does go right back to GR, how do you think management will assess his performance? When will he be back?He's made a very good case for being on the team next year. He's shown he's not just flash, he can be physical and grind and drive the net. Babcock must be a fan considering he's shown complete trust in him and that line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,963 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 If Jurco does go right back to GR, how do you think management will assess his performance? When will he be back? He'll earn his way into the lineup like the rest. A lot of people will complain, but them's the breaks. When he is playing well enough that there is absolutely no way he can be taken out of the lineup, he will be here to stay. It pisses people off, but it's also a big reason why this team has been so successful developing players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 If Jurco does go right back to GR, how do you think management will assess his performance? When will he be back? Management will assess his performance like this: “we have a future top 6 winger on our hands" But they’ll leave him in GRs next year because they can. And it’s what they do. They usually max out all of each players minor league options until they have no choice but to make them NHLers for life.. i.e. Tatar and Nyquist It’s proven, despite heavy criticism here on LGWs by all us Armchair GMs, to be a good plan. 1 marcaractac reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings4thecup06 504 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 IMO I don't think they can send Sheahan back when loads of guys get healthy. He's definitely earned his spot on a potential playoff roster for not just showing he can do it defensively, but is also pretty adept offensively too. That set up last night of Legwand's PPG was a beauty. That said I think Andersson will be in the lineup. While he might be slow, he's pretty good in his own end and face-offs. Will be interesting to see who sits when guys start coming back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DickieDunn 2,571 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 Lots of players have been called up before they had to be. Most of the ones who weren't have either not developed very far, or they had big questions about their games that they needed time to answer. Fischer, Kronwall, Dekeyser, Filppula, Hudler all spent less than the max time in GR, just of the top of my head. Tatar and Nyquist both needed time to get stronger and Tatar needed time to mature as a player. Neither of them really set the world on fire last year, they were just solid for rookie wingers. Nyquist was told he needs to shoot more, he's taken that to heart and bam, he's having a breakout year. Tatar has been good for a guy in his first full year, but he's going to end up around 32 or 33 points probably. He's shown flashes of brilliance, but he's also had several games where he hasn't been a factor on score sheet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roboturner 562 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 THIS season Howie hasn't been good at all. When I saw his win/loss stat the other day I almost shat. BUT the first thing I remembered was it was Jimmy Howard who, like a workhorse I'll add, was the goalie that won game after game during our " playoff pushes" in recent years. Which is also why he received the contract he did. ....point being he has the skill set to be an above average goalie, he's strung a few together in a row so if we embrace that he should gain his confidence back...it is a better option then in Toronto where they throw the Goalie under the proverbial bus. It's only been a few in a row but this team has really impressed me, beaten some hard teams and fought hard in others. If no one else came back from injury even I'll say that I do think the current crew could win a cup! Edit: Sorry I'm a little over exuberant from wins, beers & goose His win/loss stat was even worse about a month ago. He has been better that past few games, I'll give him that. But his confidence issues shouldn't be affected by outside factors, only on his own on ice performances. He just isn't mentally tough enough for these rough patches. Being in a playoff push can only happen when your team is anywhere between 14th and 25th place, so for at least part of the season there were problems losing games. That's obviously not ALL on Howard, but this season I think he gets a good portion of the blame for us being in the position we are currently in (exactly how much is up for debate ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings87 1,290 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 (edited) Bingo. IF healthy, I see Nyquist - Sheahan - Tatar being a thing while Jurco goes back to GRs to dominate with Pulkinen. When everyone is health, I'd like to see Gus play with Z. They looked unstoppable together. Edited March 23, 2014 by wings87 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted March 23, 2014 IMO I don't think they can send Sheahan back when loads of guys get healthy. He's definitely earned his spot on a potential playoff roster for not just showing he can do it defensively, but is also pretty adept offensively too. That set up last night of Legwand's PPG was a beauty. That said I think Andersson will be in the lineup. While he might be slow, he's pretty good in his own end and face-offs. Will be interesting to see who sits when guys start coming back. A week or two ago Holland gave an interview where he basically admitted Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco is here to stay. I can only assume Jurco will be sent down this season* but I'm sure he's up full-time next year from what Holland was implying. *If we still need to worry about the cap when he comes back. I know it's lifted in the playoffs. I just don't see a reason to send him down anymore if he completes a powerful third line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites