Higgins Gives Props to Saks

Key Lime · Guru

Higgins Gives Props to Saks

plouf · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

Higgins admitted that much of his success lately comes from being paired with Saks. He's says that with Saks he can attack the net and the passes are precise; he just has to make sure his stick is on the ice. Furthermore, he went on to say that Saks gives the other linemate room to manouver because the captain stirs the attention of the opposing defense dur to his ability to keep the puck in minimal space. I guess I agree with his statements when I think of the last 4-6 games. How about you all?

That's the big thing that both Koivu and Kovalev (even Bonk at certain points) provide when they are playing well, skating, dangling, etc.... They can draw defenders and create space for their linemates.

I believe I said this before, in response to someone saying Higgins was "carrying the Koivu line". A line is a line. Higgins is the first to admit how dependent his success is on what others do. Good for him.

Key Lime · Guru

plouf wrote:

Key Lime wrote: Higgins admitted that much of his success lately comes from being paired with Saks. He's says that with Saks he can attack the net and the passes are precise; he just has to make sure his stick is on the ice. Furthermore, he went on to say that Saks gives the other linemate room to manouver because the captain stirs the attention of the opposing defense dur to his ability to keep the puck in minimal space. I guess I agree with his statements when I think of the last 4-6 games. How about you all? That's the big thing that both Koivu and Kovalev (even Bonk at certain points) provide when they are playing well, skating, dangling, etc.... They can draw defenders and create space for their linemates. I believe I said this before, in response to someone saying Higgins was "carrying the Koivu line". A line is a line. Higgins is the first to admit how dependent his success is on what others do. Good for him.

Now it's time for Ryder to step it up a little more. He's shown signs lately but nothing too convincing.

ray · Senior Member

I think its time for Zednik to step it up, Bulis shouldn't be the healthy scratch, Richard my benefit from sitting on the pine, just my thoughts

Nil d · Guru

ray wrote:

I think its time for Zednik to step it up, Bulis shouldn't be the healthy scratch, Richard my benefit from sitting on the pine, just my thoughts

I agree, Ray. The two are pretty much interchangeable on the ice, and Zednik needs a kick in the pants right now. It worked on Ribeiro a couple of years ago; it could work for Zednik now.

Key Lime · Guru

Nil d wrote:

ray wrote: I think its time for Zednik to step it up, Bulis shouldn't be the healthy scratch, Richard my benefit from sitting on the pine, just my thoughts I agree, Ray. The two are pretty much interchangeable on the ice, and Zednik needs a kick in the pants right now. It worked on Ribeiro a couple of years ago; it could work for Zednik now.

In the case of Zednik, I think the coaching staff is waiting for him to break out and get hot. For how long though? Zednik is a different player now, he doesn't drive the net at all. He always chooses to go around the net. Completely contrary to what he used to do all his career.

Last night there was talk on a local television show that Ribs' line is missing a winger. Bulis nor Zednik is worthy right now. One of them mentionned Latendresse. At first I tought he was a few fries short of a happy meal but would Latendresse do a worse job than Bulis or Zednik. I doubt it. In any case, Ribeiro, Kovalev, and ?.

plouf · Guru

Wonder what happened to Perezhogin? I actually didn't think he was as bad as all that on the 2nd line.

Key Lime · Guru

plouf wrote:

Wonder what happened to Perezhogin? I actually didn't think he was as bad as all that on the 2nd line.

I'm not convinced that he's ready to be on that second line Plouf...he's very quick but he hasn't matured throughout the season. He was actually playing better at the beginning of the season. Hmm not convinced about him yet. He has a lot to prove and I really hope he does.

plouf · Guru

Perezhogin's one of those little players who has offensive talents, but will need some time to make an impact. He's a mid-level first-round pick who's raw and needs to develop more confidence and toughness.

What's most frustrating about those kinds of guys is that they are sort of useless on the 3rd and 4th lines, so it's hard to work them into the lineup without putting them in a little over their heads. I'd advocate keeping him on one of the top two lines if we had a bigger, more defensive centre than Ribeiro. Perez can work some magic with Kovalev at times. It's possible a Bulis-Kovalev-Perezhogin combo would work.

Key Lime · Guru

plouf wrote:

Perezhogin's one of those little players who has offensive talents, but will need some time to make an impact. He's a mid-level first-round pick who's raw and needs to develop more confidence and toughness. What's most frustrating about those kinds of guys is that they are sort of useless on the 3rd and 4th lines, so it's hard to work them into the lineup without putting them in a little over their heads. I'd advocate keeping him on one of the top two lines if we had a bigger, more defensive centre than Ribeiro. Perez can work some magic with Kovalev at times. It's possible a Bulis-Kovalev-Perezhogin combo would work.

Actually, a number of combinations have been metioned tonight and all are good possibilities. I thought of giving Pleks a shot to play with Kovy and Bulis. At least we all agree that Ribs should take a night off, he's looks like he's nursing some nagging injury.