He would slump less, if he didn't have to carry the whole line on his wee shoulders. Makes you really wonder how high up his ceiling is if he had a legimate center to play with.
- faceto27

i think people give too much creedance to this

look at crosby's linemates for example

kunitz and dupuis

i really dont see how they are any better than JVR and bozak truthfully

kessel is a good player.. i am not disputing that.. but a pure centre doesnt automatically equate higher production for kessel.. higher production for the line sure.. but kessel's stats might actually suffer as he wont be in on every play any longer.

it can go either way.

It's a moot point - nobody is going to pay to watch Glucky trim his eyebrows.

His business idea sucks.
- Atomic Wedgie

It's crazy, when you use the Rebel on rapid-fire mode, you think it's crazy fast.


Then you pick up a 60D. Thing almost has recoil.
- Feeling Glucky?

How good is mine for that?

i think people give too much creedance to this

look at crosby's linemates for example

kunitz and dupuis

i really dont see how they are any better than JVR and bozak truthfully

kessel is a good player.. i am not disputing that.. but a pure centre doesnt automatically equate higher production for kessel.. higher production for the line sure.. but kessel's stats might actually suffer as he wont be in on every play any longer.

it can go either way.
- Dozzer

If you look at a guy like like Malone, who used to play with Crosby, his career numbers are pretty consistent wether he played with Crosby or not. Same with Kunitz.

i think people give too much creedance to this

look at crosby's linemates for example

kunitz and dupuis

i really dont see how they are any better than JVR and bozak truthfully

kessel is a good player.. i am not disputing that.. but a pure centre doesnt automatically equate higher production for kessel.. higher production for the line sure.. but kessel's stats might actually suffer as he wont be in on every play any longer.

it can go either way.
- Dozzer

Look how Kessel did once another legit scorer was put on his line, he was above PPG for the whole time he was playing with Lupul, and dropped back down after he was injured.

Skilled linemates, especially ones that have chemistry, can make a player's totals go up big time.

The bloom is starting to come off that rose. They are cutting down his ice time - he's been 4th amongst Flyers defencemen for a few games now.
- Atomic Wedgie

i think they were force feeding him ice time because they hoped he was something he wasnt

You can implement it the way you'd implement paypal I think.
- Pecafan Fan

I have to check again, last time I tried Google checkout for clients that asked for it, Google support just said not available to Canadian customers.

How good is mine for that?
- Tee-Dot

about the same level as the rebel. Maybe a bit slower.

If you look at a guy like like Malone, who used to play with Crosby, his career numbers are pretty consistent wether he played with Crosby or not. Same with Kunitz.
- Pecafan Fan

my point is having a third high skill guy on a line doesnt necessarily equate to higher point totals all around

i think people give too much creedance to this

look at crosby's linemates for example

kunitz and dupuis

i really dont see how they are any better than JVR and bozak truthfully

kessel is a good player.. i am not disputing that.. but a pure centre doesnt automatically equate higher production for kessel.. higher production for the line sure.. but kessel's stats might actually suffer as he wont be in on every play any longer.

it can go either way.
- Dozzer

I think if you gave Kessel a shooting centre (like Jeff Carter) his overall point totals would go way up.

The dude is having fun right now playing with JVR - he's perfectly happy freezing the goalie and then dishing it so JVR can tap in easy ones. Just imagine if he had another option (instead of Tyler "Mr. Whiff" Bozak).

Look how Kessel did once another legit scorer was put on his line, he was above PPG for the whole time he was playing with Lupul, and dropped back down after he was injured.

Skilled linemates, especially ones that have chemistry, can make a player's totals go up big time.
- Feeling Glucky?

yes, one skilled linemate is a must.. i am not disputing that

two might actually lessen totals.. because a skilled centre might hook up with JVR more frequently leaving kessel out of the points mix

thats all i am trying to say here.

my point is having a third high skill guy on a line doesnt necessarily equate to higher point totals all around
- Dozzer

It's what I mean too.

Look at Tavares, he puts up amazing numbers no matter who he plays with.

I think if you gave Kessel a shooting centre (like Jeff Carter) his overall point totals would go way up.

The dude is having fun right now playing with JVR - he's perfectly happy freezing the goalie and then dishing it so JVR can tap in easy ones. Just imagine if he had another option (instead of Tyler "Mr. Whiff" Bozak).
- Atomic Wedgie

the type of player would be key

for that line, a shooting centre who is strong in faceoff circle who is at least average at the defensive side of the game.

a puck carrying C wouldnt work with kessel

NHL.com does it, but doesn't sort the teams by conference.


Go to team stats, and sort by point%

Toronto is 10th in the NHL, 5th in the east, btw.
- Feeling Glucky?

Okay that was obviously what I wanted to know, thanks.

I think if you gave Kessel a shooting centre (like Jeff Carter) his overall point totals would go way up.

The dude is having fun right now playing with JVR - he's perfectly happy freezing the goalie and then dishing it so JVR can tap in easy ones. Just imagine if he had another option (instead of Tyler "Mr. Whiff" Bozak).
- Atomic Wedgie

Kessel is a one two dimensional player now that backchecks, but shhh, don't mention it to some around here.

So now we dont need Lupul?
Are you facking kidding?
- Fakepartofme

History of injury with a heavy contract? His value is inflated so get while the gettin's good. Kessel can play and make everyone better on his line - not ONLY Lupul.
Frattin and Lupul coming back into the lineup will do nothing but hinder peoples ice time. Someone who deserves to be playing will not be playing.
Liles and Lupul are the odd men out. Trade Lupul+ to Chicago for a 1st + McNeil and Liles+ to NYI for Nieds, Okposo or a 1st. Trade Grabo for anything at this point. Burke is amazing at trades but contracts are not his area of expertise.

I won't do it. I won't look at the standings - I did that last year and where did that get me. And I'm not superstitious either (333 left, right, left, right, 333, tap once , tap twice...arrow up arrow down...send!)
- Your_Mom

I know, I hate looking at the standings too. Especially this early. Seems like any time a team ties or moves past us I just feel like the collapse is beginning.

I think if you gave Kessel a shooting centre (like Jeff Carter) his overall point totals would go way up.

The dude is having fun right now playing with JVR - he's perfectly happy freezing the goalie and then dishing it so JVR can tap in easy ones. Just imagine if he had another option (instead of Tyler "Mr. Whiff" Bozak).
- Atomic Wedgie

Back when Carter was on the move, I was making this same argument. People were still thinking of Kessel as a pure sniper, but the guy was just never given a scorer to play with... so he never got to show off his playmaking.

It's what I mean too.

Look at Tavares, he puts up amazing numbers no matter who he plays with.
- Pecafan Fan

of course he does.. he is the focal point of the line

put two more all stars with him then the puck doesnt necessarily find its way to his stick anymore.. because it simply wouldnt need to

the line itself would be better.. but individual stats might suffer a little

the type of player would be key

for that line, a shooting centre who is strong in faceoff circle who is at least average at the defensive side of the game.

a puck carrying C wouldnt work with kessel
- Dozzer

Hey bud, thanks for holding down the fort, I'm only staying for a bit today.

Kessel is a one two dimensional player now that backchecks, but shhh, don't mention it to some around here.
- LeafMan

I've been saying it for years.

of course he does.. he is the focal point of the line

put two more all stars with him then the puck doesnt necessarily find its way to his stick anymore.. because it simply wouldnt need to

the line itself would be better.. but individual stats might suffer a little
- Dozzer

You definitely see diminishing returns when overloading a line with talent like that... But I don;t think you'd see individual production drop. You just wouldn't see it increasing as much as you'd expect.

That's why teams spread out their scoring, and save the over-loaded line for the last few minutes of play when trailing, or the powerplay.

imagine if, when Lupul and Frattin get back, Grabo's line also gets it going again?



(frank)ing deadly attack.


I don't expect any member of Grabo's line to crack 50 again, under carlyle, but if you've got two scoring lines, and a shut-down line that is a threat...

Hey bud, thanks for holding down the fort, I'm only staying for a bit today.
- LeafMan

did what i could. got called into the studio bout halfway through the game for some backing vox.. and we had a sax player up from pittsburgh we wanted to track

so i watched from my phone

hows things with you today?

Which is what I thought he would be....and everyone wanted to trade him...jesus.
Scrivens played well again.
I haven't seen a stretch like this where a Leafs goalie has played this well in a very long time.
- Fakepartofme

That's BS ....I wanted to tie him to that truck and let him go over the cliff.

I was wrong b/c he's playing really well in his role under Carlyle. Not to take anything away from Franson but Carlyle is playing him and Fraser perfectly. He's a master at line matching and puts those two out against the other teams 3rd or 4th lines most of the time. If he can keep that up and let Franson get more PP minutes he can be a really useful player for the Leafs. You could argue that Franson is probably the best Leaf dman from the oppositions' blueline in to their net.