No, it's really more about catering a to an average at best group of vets. And sure, Tippett's tendencies probably also play into it, but the fact is, I don't care how "ready" a 20 or 22 year old is, if he was good enough to be signed to a contract by an NHL team, then he is better than Chipchura or Klinkhammer.
- James_Tanner

I don't believe they "cater" to anyone but maybe Doan. Patience grasshopper, let the kids soak, better off in the long run.

Tanner, it appears we are finally beginning to understand eachother . This is a major breakthrough in our oft-shakey relationship.
- Jeropotato

Agreed. Arizona is going to finish near dead last in that division. And as for Gagner hitting 70 points. Well, six games, 0 points. I don't see him breaking 30-40 at this rate if he plays 82 games.
- YzermanIsTheMan

Gagner is talented and could no doubt score 70 points. He isn't going to do it playing with Erat and Korpiskoski, Chipchura and Korpikoski or .........well you get the point. They even start Vermette over him on the PP.

Still, I maintain that if they start playing him in situations where he can succeed, he can be one of, if not their best offensive player.

I don't believe they "cater" to anyone but maybe Doan. Patience grasshopper, let the kids soak, better off in the long run.
- LeftCoaster

You should probly read the article. You'll see what I mean.

If they run this roster out all year, the problem is they won't be bad enough to finish that low and they probably won't make the playoffs.
- James_Tanner

I'm seeing the Coyotes end up fourth in the conference and maybe 7-8th in the league.

Gagner is talented and could no doubt score 70 points. He isn't going to do it playing with Erat and Korpiskoski, Chipchura and Korpikoski or .........well you get the point. They even start Vermette over him on the PP.

Still, I maintain that if they start playing him in situations where he can succeed, he can be one of, if not their best offensive player.
- James_Tanner

'No' doubt? I think there is mountains and oceans of doubt.

Tanner, it appears we are finally beginning to understand eachother . This is a major breakthrough in our oft-shakey relationship.
- Jeropotato

It's only shakey because you're intimidated by my good looks. Otherwise, we're good.

I'm seeing the Coyotes end up fourth in the conference and maybe 7-8th in the league.
- YzermanIsTheMan

Are you drinking photocopy fluid again?

Gagner is talented and could no doubt score 70 points. He isn't going to do it playing with Erat and Korpiskoski, Chipchura and Korpikoski or .........well you get the point. They even start Vermette over him on the PP.

Still, I maintain that if they start playing him in situations where he can succeed, he can be one of, if not their best offensive player.
- James_Tanner

Great players (centers) make other players around them better, not the other way around. His linemates numbers should increase if he was so good.

He's just not a 70 point player, you'll get it one day. Great on special teams, very very average 5 vs 5.

It's only shakey because you're intimidated by my good looks. Otherwise, we're good.
- James_Tanner

Yeah, your hotness really shines through in your writing.

You should probly read the article. You'll see what I mean.
- James_Tanner

I did read it, but I'm multi-tasking at work so perhaps it all didn't sink in?

Great players (centers) make other players around them better, not the other way around. His linemates numbers should increase if he was so good.

He's just not a 70 point player, you'll get it one day. Great on special teams, very very average 5 vs 5.
- LeftCoaster

I was gonna be a smart ass, but whatever, I'll bite: Gagner is easily talented enough to score 70 points, and if you read any Edmonton boards while he was still with the team, i remember most people thinking that was his floor.

Now, granted, that was probably some intense homerism going on, but it is funny how quickly he sucks once he's traded.

The fact remains that he scored 49 points as a rookie and once scored 8 points in a game. He is also very offensively talented and has averaged 50 points per 82 games for his whole career. If he got top PP time and played on the top line like he should be, 70 points is not much of a stretch. He is only 25.

Kind of sick of arguing about it to be honest. He has no points and he's supposed to make Kyle Chipchura better. OK you just can't argue with that logic, so feel free to be as hilariously condescending as you wanna be.

Why, for instance, does Vermette have to start every power-play on the top unit?
- James Tanner

Could it be because of his good face-off winning percentage? He was 77% last night and 62% this season.

Are you drinking photocopy fluid again?
- Jeropotato

From the bottom*. Sorry. .. and yes.

I\
- James_Tanner

Could it be because of his good face-off winning percentage? He was 77% last night and 62% this season.
- Chinaski

And he's their best center maybe?

Could it be because of his good face-off winning percentage? He was 77% last night and 62% this season.
- Chinaski

It's been shown quite emphatically that face off % is perhaps the most overated hockey statistic. Possession is just too fluid and turnovers too frequent for it to really matter all that much.

However, it is because it's in large part "his" team, along with Doan, Smith and Yandle. He's been here for a long time and he is a very good player. He deserves to play, but he also happens to be the worst first line centre in the NHL. He has a lot of great elements to his game, but offensive creativity is not one of them.

He should not be on the top line.

I was gonna be a smart ass, but whatever, I'll bite: Gagner is easily talented enough to score 70 points, and if you read any Edmonton boards while he was still with the team, i remember most people thinking that was his floor.

Now, granted, that was probably some intense homerism going on, but it is funny how quickly he sucks once he's traded.

The fact remains that he scored 49 points as a rookie and once scored 8 points in a game. He is also very offensively talented and has averaged 50 points per 82 games for his whole career. If he got top PP time and played on the top line like he should be, 70 points is not much of a stretch. He is only 25.

Kind of sick of arguing about it to be honest. He has no points and he's supposed to make Kyle Chipchura better. OK you just can't argue with that logic, so feel free to be as hilariously condescending as you wanna be.
- James_Tanner

Ok, James. Everyone thought that Gagner had the potential to be a star in the NHL. He never really panned out due to injuries, soft play, inconsistency, and other factors. He's not going to break 50 points this year if he goes on a hot streak even. Gagner CAN be a 70 point player beside a super star winger like Kessel, Hall, Zetterberg, etc.. if he played 82 games. But the Yotes don't have the talent to make this young, flawed talent any better than he already is.

And he's their best center maybe?
- LeftCoaster

He isn't.

Martin Hanzal is, by quite a lot.

Vermette is all round probably the best, but only because he's elite without the puck. But you shouldn't go around putting your best defensive centre on your top line. It sandbags his value and wastes his best talents. Gagner and Hanzal both have more offensive talent than he does.

It's been shown quite emphatically that face off % is perhaps the most overated hockey statistic. Possession is just too fluid and turnovers too frequent for it to really matter all that much.

However, it is because it's in large part "his" team, along with Doan, Smith and Yandle. He's been here for a long time and he is a very good player. He deserves to play, but he also happens to be the worst first line centre in the NHL. He has a lot of great elements to his game, but offensive creativity is not one of them.

He should not be on the top line.
- James_Tanner

It's been shown quite emphatically that face off % is perhaps the most overated hockey statistic. Possession is just too fluid and turnovers too frequent for it to really matter all that much.

However, it is because it's in large part "his" team, along with Doan, Smith and Yandle. He's been here for a long time and he is a very good player. He deserves to play, but he also happens to be the worst first line centre in the NHL. He has a lot of great elements to his game, but offensive creativity is not one of them.

He should not be on the top line.
- James_Tanner

Well, I'm not arguing that he should be. But sometimes a lesser offensive player that can win you most of the draws he takes gives your better offensive players on the first PP unit more possession time with which to work. It just might be a reason he's on the top unit.

He isn't.

Martin Hanzal is, by quite a lot.

Vermette is all round probably the best, but only because he's elite without the puck. But you shouldn't go around putting your best defensive centre on your top line. It sandbags his value and wastes his best talents. Gagner and Hanzal both have more offensive talent than he does.
- James_Tanner

You just said no he's not but yes he is....WTF man?? I'm almost 50 years old and I've never come across someone like you

Yeah, your hotness really shines through in your writing.
- Jeropotato

I'd be surprised if it doesn't. A mixture of Vince Vaughn and the ripped Jesus is what I was going for.

You just said no he's not but yes he is....WTF man?? I'm almost 50 years and I've never come across someone like you
- LeftCoaster

Sorry if it wasn't clear. Best defensive, not the best offensive.

Admittedly, it was worded horribly. It's the comment section. Grammar and Spelling don't count. This goes kind of fast, there isn't a lot of editing going on.

I'd be surprised if it doesn't. A mixture of Vince Vaughn and the ripped Jesus is what I was going for.
- James_Tanner

That would make you Jesanau Reevaugh.