Athanasiou recalled by Red Wings

[Andy Pred 48 337]

I don't get the Pulks hate on here. He's playing 3rd line is on course for a 40+ pts season and second on the team in +- ? I guess some on here are actually believing he is the new Golden Brett. At this moment in time he is doing what is asked of him and will progress with each game.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I don't get the Pulks hate on here. He's playing 3rd line is on course for a 40+ pts season and second on the team in +- ? I guess some on here are actually believing he is the new Golden Brett. At this moment in time he is doing what is asked of him and will progress with each game.

If he was 6'1" and playing the exact same way he is now, no one would be saying anything.

As far as AA goes, if the team plans on playing AA with skilled guys in the top 9, I have zeo problems with him staying up for a bit. It would be nice if he or Sheahan could play on the wing.

Nyquist - Zetterberg - Abdlekader

Larkin - Datsyuk - Tatar

AA - Sheahan - Pulkkinen

Miller - Glendenning - Helm

[NerveDamage 4,176]

If he was 6'1" and playing the exact same way he is now, no one would be saying anything.

As far as AA goes, if the team plans on playing AA with skilled guys in the top 9, I have zeo problems with him staying up for a bit. It would be nice if he or Sheahan could play on the wing.

Nyquist - Zetterberg - Abdlekader

Larkin - Datsyuk - Tatar

AA - Sheahan - Pulkkinen

Miller - Glendenning - Helm

I like the way you think. Although I would switch Z and Dats

[kipwinger 8,524]

I think Pulkkinen has been reasonably successful given what is expected of him. I'd still trade him in a heartbeat for a big winger for the top six. We don't need ALL of Larkin, Tatar, Nyquist, and Pulkkinen in the lineup every night.

What was it that Scotty said, "a little less pretty and a lot more gritty"? Something like that.

[joesuffP 1,746]

On pace is a statistic thrown out the window when you've only played 12 games

[rick zombo 3,739]

I think Pulkkinen has been reasonably successful given what is expected of him. I'd still trade him in a heartbeat for a big winger for the top six. We don't need ALL of Larkin, Tatar, Nyquist, and Pulkkinen in the lineup every night.

What was it that Scotty said, "a little less pretty and a lot more gritty"? Something like that.

I agree with this. Although I'd be careful lumping Larkin into the same category as those other three. He plays a way better north-south game and likes to skate towards the net.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

I don't get the Pulks hate on here. He's playing 3rd line is on course for a 40+ pts season and second on the team in +- ? I guess some on here are actually believing he is the new Golden Brett. At this moment in time he is doing what is asked of him and will progress with each game.

+/- isn't a good stat to judge much of anything, especially in a short time frame. The issue I have with him is that he's a small one dimensional offense only winger. Doesn't skate well, not physical, no defense.

The real issue is his linemates though. Sheahan and Andersson are softer that Persian kittens, Andersson has little skill and is at best an average skater, and Sheahan is looking like he's peaked. Give him a couple guys who are better skaters and Pulk wouldn't stick out as much.

[kipwinger 8,524]

I agree with this. Although I'd be careful lumping Larkin into the same category as those other three. He plays a way better north-south game and likes to skate towards the net.

He's still a small, skilled, forward. I mean, Tatar is more gritty than the other two as well, but that doesn't make him something different. They're all just differing degrees of the same thing. When I say I want a big forward, I'm talking about another Abby type guy who can put up 40-50 points. At this point it's all about HOW they score, not HOW MUCH.

[Buppy 1,720]

Trading him is one thing. I'd have no problem with that if it were for someone who'd make us better or more balanced. But I don't get the people who think he's been bad.

As far as AA goes, I thought he was OK. Not sure he's any better than Jurco would be though.

[rick zombo 3,739]

He's still a small, skilled, forward. I mean, Tatar is more gritty than the other two as well, but that doesn't make him something different. They're all just differing degrees of the same thing. When I say I want a big forward, I'm talking about another Abby type guy who can put up 40-50 points. At this point it's all about HOW they score, not HOW MUCH.

He's 6'1", 190lbs. Not trying to split hairs but nothing about how Larkin plays screams "small" to me.

Anyway, I want another Abdlekader too.

[Buppy 1,720]

+/- isn't a good stat to judge much of anything, especially in a short time frame. The issue I have with him is that he's a small one dimensional offense only winger. Doesn't skate well, not physical, no defense.

The real issue is his linemates though. Sheahan and Andersson are softer that Persian kittens, Andersson has little skill and is at best an average skater, and Sheahan is looking like he's peaked. Give him a couple guys who are better skaters and Pulk wouldn't stick out as much.

Yeah, +/- isn't worth much. But he's a pretty good skater and his defense is no worse than Tatar or Nyquist. He's leading our team in takeaways, 3rd lowest Corsi against, and been on the ice for only 3 goals against, 2 of those being empty nets.

He hasn't been playing with Sheahan by the way. Andersson and Helm for a couple, then AA replacing Helm last game. He also played with Tatar and Larkin for a few games. Plenty of good skaters. Hasn't stuck with anyone for more than a few games.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

I don't get the Pulks hate on here. He's playing 3rd line is on course for a 40+ pts season and second on the team in +- ? I guess some on here are actually believing he is the new Golden Brett. At this moment in time he is doing what is asked of him and will progress with each game.

People dont like stats around here. Miller is gonna be a minus 100 for his career at this rate, but people are infatuated with him. Makes me laugh that we play him over Jurco and Mantha.

[joesuffP 1,746]

Fact is one of the small forwards have to be traded eventually. We just don't have the balance up front with Tatar, Nyquist and Pulks. This team has been needing a power forward ever since Franzen started missing huge parts of the season consistently. High zone time and low shot count means you're playing on the outside because we are just too small. We are incapable of scoring dirty goals

[DickieDunn 2,571]

People dont like stats around here. Miller is gonna be a minus 100 for his career at this rate, but people are infatuated with him. Makes me laugh that we play him over Jurco and Mantha.

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or I'd you don't understand how +/- works.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Fact is one of the small forwards have to be traded eventually. We just don't have the balance up front with Tatar, Nyquist and Pulks. This team has been needing a power forward ever since Franzen started missing huge parts of the season consistently. High zone time and low shot count means you're playing on the outside because we are just too small. We are incapable of scoring dirty goals

Agreed. Good post. And calling Franzen a pf is even a stretch.

[joesuffP 1,746]

It's time to give Jurco another shot

Larkin-Z-Abby

Gus-Sheahan-Helm

Jurco-AA-Tatar

Miller-Glen-Andersson

Helm is finding his legs and his style of play is exactly what we need. Never seen so many forced turnovers in the offensive zone all season and it was because of him mostly

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

People dont like stats around here. Miller is gonna be a minus 100 for his career at this rate, but people are infatuated with him. Makes me laugh that we play him over Jurco and Mantha.

Man, you keeping acting like people are in love with Miller. Can't really think of anyone. Some say he's a good PKer or under-appreciated. Many don't want AA or Mantha playing on the 4th line and having to cover PK duties. You seems to miss the difference between that and infatuation. I'm sure most would love to replace him with a left wing version of Glendening or Helm (someone with a bit of scoring and other facets to their game), but he does what he does well.

Also, Miller's only -3. Sheahan, Nyquist, Tatar, Helm, Marchenko are all lower than him and Mr. Miller gets the toughest defensive assignments along with Glendening. He isn't used for offence so his +/- means something different than it would for an offensive forward.

[joesuffP 1,746]

Nyquist is at his absolute best when he has time with the puck in the offensive zone. He's a very slippery elusive skater and can burn skaters without even trying the problem is he's the first guy on the forecheck or battling on the boards.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Man, you keeping acting like people are in love with Miller. Can't really think of anyone. Some say he's a good PKer or under-appreciated. Many don't want AA or Mantha playing on the 4th line and having to cover PK duties. You seems to miss the difference between that and infatuation. I'm sure most would love to replace him with a left wing version of Glendening or Helm (someone with a bit of scoring and other facets to their game), but he does what he does well.

Also, Miller's only -3. Sheahan, Nyquist, Tatar, Helm, Marchenko are all lower than him and Mr. Miller gets the toughest defensive assignments along with Glendening. He isn't used for offence so his +/- means something different than it would for an offensive forward.

Would you re-sign him?

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Would you re-sign him?

No. I think we have some players coming up that can fill that role and have facets to their game. Bertuzzi, Callahan?

If we do for his same price, though, I won't be heartbroken.

[brett 1,029]

nyquist Z abs

larkin dats tats

helm richards sheahan meh

bertuzzi glendenning miller need a physical forward

Edited November 9, 2015 by brett

[wings7 62]

People dislike Pulk because he is just not NHL-ready.

He's small.

Makes many mental mistakes due to his size and not playing big.

Misses the net A LOT.

And has really only scored in a couple games.

He's basically a pure goal scorer that doesn't score a lot and is definitely a liability.

That's why people worry about Pulks.

Tradeable players in my opinion include...

Pulks

1 of Tats or Nyq

Smith

Howard

With those players in mind, we've gotta be able to get a pure goal scorer with some size. Kopitar for Pulks, Nyq, Smith?

[frankgrimes 1,836]

People dislike Pulk because he is just not NHL-ready.

He's small.

Makes many mental mistakes due to his size and not playing big.

Misses the net A LOT.

And has really only scored in a couple games.

He's basically a pure goal scorer that doesn't score a lot and is definitely a liability.

That's why people worry about Pulks.

Tradeable players in my opinion include...

Pulks

1 of Tats or Nyq

Smith

Howard

With those players in mind, we've gotta be able to get a pure goal scorer with some size. Kopitar for Pulks, Nyq, Smith?

Lombardi laughs and hangs up the phone

Wings would be happy to get a decent return if even that all for Pulkinnen

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Lombardi laughs and hangs up the phone

Wings would be happy to get a decent return if even that all for Pulkinnen

Exactly. Our team has so many bad contracts. If we could unload a few of them for picks, Id be happy.

[kipwinger 8,524]

I disagree with the notion that we need a goal scorer. I think we need somebody that drives possession and can compliment skill players. Something like Washington did getting Oshie and Williams. Guys that are physically tough and can chip in 40-50 points. I want a battler, we've got enough guys that can finish if we could just maintain offensive zone time.