Jurco on Conditioning Assignment in GRs

[rick zombo 3,739]

Drew Miller in means Tomas Jurco in. It's that simple. If you believe Miller should play over Jurco, then conversation is over. I think its absolutely absurd.

If we're going to ignore rolls that certain players are excellent at and just give Jurco their job then I think Jurco should be the goalie. Actually, f*** that. He can be BOTH goalies.

I just played the game!!!!!!

[joesuffP 1,746]

imo Glendenning, Sheahan and Helm are all better grinders than Miller.

[brett 1,029]

ah mr jurco

everyone hyping him cause he can do a few tricks in a driveway

he is close to nhl ready. he just needs to be quicker. the moves are there. hes just a step slow.

i like his interview. where he corrects the interviewer saying at the most 2 weeks like hes confident hes going to get called back up from his play.

Edited November 22, 2015 by brett

[Bill Berzeench 310]

If we're going to ignore rolls that certain players are excellent at and just give Jurco their job then I think Jurco should be the goalie. Actually, f*** that. He can be BOTH goalies.

I just played the game!!!!!!

Ahhhhhh. I get it. All you need is a defined role to start for the Wings. Doesnt matter if you and the "role" are completely useless to the team, I guess.

"He blocks shots." Really? We see 35-40 a game. He gets in the way of a few power play shots per game. BFD.

"He kills penalties." AND?? Our pk is far from outstanding, and anyone of our forwards from Detroit to Grand Rapids could do the exact same thing.

Drew Miller's "role" at this point is taking a spot away from a more deserving player. He has 1 point in 20 games, and is a minus 3. He is NOT a help to this team.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Yup, the reason people are hyping Jurco is because he has unbelievable "tricks in a driveway"... or "tricks on YouTube"... It has absolutely nothing to do with his prominent skill level at every single level he's ever played at...

Why are so many people fixated on him correcting the reporter on "at most", not "at least" 2 weeks. That's a fact. He WILL be down there for 2 weeks at MOST, even if he weren't producing. The fact that he is producing at a great clip, only betters his chance of finally another getting an opportunity to crack the Wings lineup...

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Ahhhhhh. I get it. All you need is a defined role to start for the Wings. Doesnt matter if you and the "role" are completely useless to the team, I guess.

"He blocks shots." Really? We see 35-40 a game. He gets in the way of a few power play shots per game. BFD.

"He kills penalties." AND?? Our pk is far from outstanding, and anyone of our forwards from Detroit to Grand Rapids could do the exact same thing.

Drew Miller's "role" at this point is taking a spot away from a more deserving player. He has 1 point in 20 games, and is a minus 3. He is NOT a help to this team.

Our PK is 8th in the league. That's pretty good. For a team that can't score goals, that's pretty important.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

The two weeks thing was just him correcting the reporter. Reporter said at least two weeks, he was just correcting the at least part.

My use of the two weeks thing was just me making a joke.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Yup, the reason people are hyping Jurco is because he has unbelievable "tricks in a driveway"... or "tricks on YouTube"... It has absolutely nothing to do with his prominent skill level at every single level he's ever played at...

Why are so many people fixated on him correcting the reporter on "at most", not "at least" 2 weeks. That's a fact. He WILL be down there for 2 weeks at MOST, even if he weren't producing. The fact that he is producing at a great clip, only betters his chance of finally another getting an opportunity to crack the Wings lineup...

Except at the NHL level, that is

[Internet.Unknown 422]

My question is, why have you been highly critical of Jurco? Is it because he has never had consistent time in a top 9 role since he was recalled 2 years ago? The fact that he was asked to play a role (4th line grinder) that he never should have been put in? That he was rushed into the league unlike (m)any Red Wings prospects ever do. Or is that he is already 22 years old and if he's not a big time producer yet, he never will be?...

Why? Because I believe in results in actual NHL games and because I trust the Red Wings coaches (past and present). Larkin, a 19-year-old, was thrust into the lineup day one and proved he belonged. Jurco, OTOH, can't crack the lineup (yet). He's played a grinder role, which you mentioned, but he's also played with Dats and other top 6 linemates. In both situations he has (so far) failed to demonstrate he can significantly contribute at the NHL level.

Like Smith, Jurco is praised by some for his potential. He sure as heck hasn't earned such devotion for his play in the NHL. But potential is as valuable as a million-dollar idea: without the proper implementation, it's worthless. That's Jurco (to date). All potential, no payout, and a lot of puck bunnies singing his praises.

I hope the guy turns it around. I would love to see him become a bonafide power forward with sick hands. I'm a fan of the Wings before any one player. If a dude wearing a red sweater scores, I'm high-fiving the nearest fan. Go, Jurco! Prove your potential.

[kipwinger 8,521]

AA with two goals tonight. The Jurc assisting on both. Legit chemistry forming between these two.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Jurcassic park

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Except at the NHL level, that is

Except, of course, his first season of 36 games when he played very well and put up 15 pts. (pretty good for your first chunk of games)

He was rushed into the NHL. Babs fought to keep him there then he had back problems and struggled and was put on the 4th line. People need look at the full story beyond the numbers.

I think the team realizes the situation and their getting him back on track. Hope he comes back up and continues with the points

In Jurco's 3 games he has as many points as Mantha has in 13 games or AA has in 10.

Edited November 22, 2015 by PavelValerievichDatsyuk

[Richdg 267]

Jurco need PT. He wasn't getting it. hard to show what you can do from the press box. He is healthy and playing well. The Griffs had a terrible start-much like the RW's did with the new staff. Now they are playing better.

BTW the mantha Bickel "fight" is on youtube. Nothing to see there. Wasn't a fight. 2 guys hugging, the linesman jumped in and they all fell to the ground. Mantha didn't play tonight becasue "he wasn't feeling right" per the coach. Didn't see anything that looked serious from the fight. Some type of core strain/soreness maybe? Who knows....

[TheXym 2,606]

Maybe the Jurco/AA budding chemistry is part of Blashill's master plan to take over the NHL. Jurco is looking good so far in this conditioning stint, hopefully it translates back to the NHL.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Exactly PVD, people that are skeptical of Jurco, keep saying that he has had his opportunities, but he really hasn't. His first stint when he played those 36 games was the only time he was given a real opportunity to succeed, and he did so, beyond expectations. Since then, he has played a scattered game in the top 9, and if he didn't immediately produce he was either demoted to the 4th line or healthy scratched. What 21-22 year old can remain confident and continue to play at an ultra high level in that situation? Not many.

Comparing him to Larkin? Seriously? A better comparison would be the countless other prospects that we've had that couldn't get it done at the NHL level until they were 22-24, don't ya think? Larkin is a very special player and rare case, especially for Red Wings prospects.

There's no question he was mishandled as a prospect, but I also don't think there's any question that Blashill will get him back on track. I'm just happy they seem to have learned from there mistakes with Jurco and are not doing the same with Mantha.

This conditioning stint will be great for his confidence, and I believe once he gets back up he will take his opportunity and run with it.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

There are 4 possibilities why Jurco isn't playing.

Blashill hates him.

His back is FUBAR

He's not doing what is asked in practice and/or off the ice

He's just not that good.

I don't buy #1. If it's his back, at his age he better start planning his post hockey career. If it's effort, that's 100% on him. If it's ability, then nothing can be done, he just isn't an NHL player.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Dickie, Blashill doesn't hate him, his back will be fine, he has been doing everything asked of him, including taking the opportunity presented to him to go down to GR, and the skill level absolutely is there. You don't think that confidence should be on that list?... There are certain skill sets that may or may not translate from the AHL to the NHL, Pulkkinen's being one of them, Jurco's, not at all. Jurco will be fine.

Serious question, have you ever seen the kid play a game in Grand Rapids? He is dominant. He plays the type of North South game that will translate to the NHL. It's only a matter of time...

[Internet.Unknown 422]

Exactly PVD, people that are skeptical of Jurco, keep saying that he has had his opportunities, but he really hasn't. His first stint when he played those 36 games was the only time he was given a real opportunity to succeed, and he did so, beyond expectations. Since then, he has played a scattered game in the top 9, and if he didn't immediately produce he was either demoted to the 4th line or healthy scratched. What 21-22 year old can remain confident and continue to play at an ultra high level in that situation? Not many.

Comparing him to Larkin? Seriously? A better comparison would be the countless other prospects that we've had that couldn't get it done at the NHL level until they were 22-24, don't ya think? Larkin is a very special player and rare case, especially for Red Wings prospects.

There's no question he was mishandled as a prospect, but I also don't think there's any question that Blashill will get him back on track. I'm just happy they seem to have learned from there mistakes with Jurco and are not doing the same with Mantha.

This conditioning stint will be great for his confidence, and I believe once he gets back up he will take his opportunity and run with it.

By all means, ignore everything I said about wishing Jurco well and hoping he becomes dominant in the NHL for the Red Wings.

Don't cherry pick me, bro!

[Jacksoni 418]

Who is this AHL player Jerco you speak of?

On a more serious note, we are not all cut from the same cloth. So he failed on attempt 1 for various reasons. Fine.

Let him play in the little league and get some mojo or whatever he needs to get his s*** straight. For as long as it takes. He's still young.

Recall him when you have deemed it's time. If he fails just dip him in tar, some feathers on top of that, then send him to whatever league that wants him for whatever money, including chump change that gets a McBreakfast meal only. Add him to the endless list of failures.

Else, nice find.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Why can Miller have zero goals in 21 games and remain immune from criticism? That baffles me. Jurco plays 4th line board grinder with Miller and Glendening half of last season, and people want him to have 60 points.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I don't care about Jurco he is obviously very skilled but seems to lack dedication and work ethic

This is a win win situation for both sides he either gets it going to the point where he might be a valuable addition or at least increase his trade value for some defensive help.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Did I say anything that would indicate that I think you are wishing for Jurco to fail? No. All I'm saying is that you and a few others here are skeptical of what Jurco can and eventually will bring to the Red Wings. And as I've stated time and time again, there is nothing to indicate that he will not eventually be a really good NHL player.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Jacksoni, that was on a more serious note? Really? First of all, he's on a conditioning stint, so the max he can stay down there is 2 weeks, so there's no "as long as it takes, he's still young" bulls*** that you're spewing. Yeah, we should definitely "add him to the endless list of failures"... Unreal...

[Jacksoni 418]

Just couldn't resist, knew you were gonna go off. Sorry old chap.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Dickie, Blashill doesn't hate him, his back will be fine, he has been doing everything asked of him, including taking the opportunity presented to him to go down to GR, and the skill level absolutely is there. You don't think that confidence should be on that list?... There are certain skill sets that may or may not translate from the AHL to the NHL, Pulkkinen's being one of them, Jurco's, not at all. Jurco will be fine.

Serious question, have you ever seen the kid play a game in Grand Rapids? He is dominant. He plays the type of North South game that will translate to the NHL. It's only a matter of time...

Speaking as someone who has back issues, they don't go away. If his back is the reason he's not playing at 22 years old, how bad is it going to be in 3 years? As far as his effort goes, Blashill flat out said he needs to skate harder if he wants to play. That's an effort issue.

Why can Miller have zero goals in 21 games and remain immune from criticism? That baffles me. Jurco plays 4th line board grinder with Miller and Glendening half of last season, and people want him to have 60 points.

Because Miller isn't there to score, he's there to kill penalties and play a checking line role. Jurco is supposed to be this highly skilled player, isn't good defensively, and doesn't kill penalties.