You & Vantel can.
- Marwood

That's not it.
Bonino replaced Malkin when he was injured and actually made the line better.
Here are the possession numbers for Bonino and his linemates before and after Malkin went down.

Before
Bonino: Corsi For % 49.0 Relative Corsi -2.4
Kessel: Corsi For % 53.2 Relative Corsi 1.4
Hagelin: Corsi For % 55.1 Relative Corsi 1.3

After
Bonino: Corsi For % 62.2 Relative Corsi 4.6
Kessel: Corsi For % 61.9 Relative Corsi 4.3
Hagelin: Corsi For % 64.1 Relative Corsi 7.3

So to answer your question, Bonino probably doesn't find it nice to play behind Crosby and Malkin. Sometimes superstars stifle the development of certain lesser-skilled players.

Heard the talking heads on TV state the TB Lightning management having second thoughts on who is actually their franchise player; Stamkos or Kucherov. Kucherov has been playing under Stamkos' shadow for three seasons now.

Kuch has 148 points in 211 pro games.
- bloatedmosquito

Do you have a selective memory? you actually miss Bonino?

I think the above is correct, but could it be possible that Bonino is developing into a better player? Or does his time on the Ducks and Canucks lock him into a certain skill set or role?

I'm still a believer that players continue to develop in the NHL and can become better players than their historical body of work shows.

Bonino deserves some props for his work on the Pens. He's a good NHLer.
- bloatedmosquito

I'm not too sure that anyone thinks he's completely useless.

I didn't mind the trade based on the players. I did think that Bonino's low cap hit as a functional centre would have garnered more but that was largely quibbling b/c I view Sutter as a much better fit here.

Can players improve into and past their mid 20? Absolutely. But I didn't want to roll the dice with Bonino and hope he developed into the player the Canucks need pivoting their 2nd or 3rd lines.

Do you think opposing coaches call it the Bonino line when game planning or the Kessel line?

He's playing with a guy that has twice finished in the top 10 in scoring, and they added Hagelin mid-season.

Now instead of game-planning to simply shut down the Crosby and Malkin lines, the Pens offer three scoring lines to try to play against.

Earlier you implied that Malkin/Crosby were stunting Bonino's development, whereas I suggest the opposite is true.

From what i've seen, that 3rd line is killing it with speed......not exactly what I remember from Bonino's game.
- golfingsince

If only a poster here knew exactly what coaches are thinking or doing?

Someone put up the bat signal

Is it wrong that I don't care about Bonino? Like not even one little bit?

Is it wrong that I don't care about Bonino? Like not even one little bit?
- LeftCoaster

No. Not at all.

Is it wrong that I don't care about Bonino? Like not even one little bit?
- LeftCoaster

It's right. He was brutal for most of the year in Pittsburg and he has put up a few points down the street playing sheltered minutes with some star players. It appears Bloated forgets why he was turfed. Incredibly inconsistent and a terrible skater. Younger and faster. Younger and faster. Best of luck Nick Bonino

Is it wrong that I don't care about Bonino? Like not even one little bit?
- LeftCoaster

But let me ask you.... how do you feel about Eddie lack?

But let me ask you.... how do you feel about Eddie lack?
- RealityChecker

Great. Just when we thought he had his mood swings under control.

But let me ask you.... how do you feel about Eddie lack?
- RealityChecker

Lack, weise, Bonino, shroeder, Kassian, forsling. Go

Until you take him fishing


- A_SteamingLombardi

Lack, weise, Bonino, shroeder, Kassian, forsling. Go
- CanuckDon

I'll take hindered development for $500 Alex.

But let me ask you.... how do you feel about Eddie lack?
- RealityChecker

Same

It's right. He was brutal for most of the year in Pittsburg and he has put up a few points down the street playing sheltered minutes with some star players. It appears Bloated forgets why he was turfed. Incredibly inconsistent and a terrible skater. Younger and faster. Younger and faster. Best of luck Nick Bonino
- CanuckDon

I'm not so sure that Bonino was turfed for his performance. Sutter's type of game was more desirable for where this team is defensively. Unfortunately, there is not much to compare when Sutter was injured almost the entire season.

I think the stats show the opposite doesn't it? He did better when malkin was out of the lineup and did worse with malkin in the lineup. Wouldn't bonino play against better competition if malkin was out of the lineup?

Here's yesterday's line combos:

Conor Sheary
Sidney Crosby
Patric Hornqvist

Carl Hagelin
Nick Bonino
Phil Kessel

Chris Kunitz
Evgeni Malkin
Eric Fehr

Tom Kuhnhackl
Matt Cullen
Bryan Rust

Bonino obviously has the coach's confidence. Continues centering the second line even with Malkin back. I'll give him some props even if you guys don't.
- bloatedmosquito

I was referencing more when the playoffs come around and strategies are made, there is more focus on containing those two than Bonino. I also combated your fancy stats with the sample size card

I think PITT is doing their best to spread out their opponents with 3 decent lines as opposed to loading up 2 lines with Malkin and Crosby, because Bonino with Kunitz and Fehr is not one I am afraid of. But I do think hes a decent NHLer and is still young enough to improve and be effective more consistently

Can we discuss trading the Sedin's?
- LeftCoaster

Trade their what? Sticks, skates???

Trade their what? Sticks, skates???
- Scooby_Doo

Don't we usually auction those off for charity?

I'm not so sure that Bonino was turfed for his performance. Sutter's type of game was more desirable for where this team is defensively. Unfortunately, there is not much to compare when Sutter was injured almost the entire season.
- boonerbuck

I think his playoff performance against Calgary sealed his fate. With a team already heavily relying on two slower skaters there was no place for him. Bonino had some skil but his skating was an embarrassment. Hopefully Sutter can play a full season next year

I'm not too sure that anyone thinks he's completely useless.

I didn't mind the trade based on the players. I did think that Bonino's low cap hit as a functional centre would have garnered more but that was largely quibbling b/c I view Sutter as a much better fit here.

Can players improve into and past their mid 20? Absolutely. But I didn't want to roll the dice with Bonino and hope he developed into the player the Canucks need pivoting their 2nd or 3rd lines.
- RealityChecker

Are we not 'rolling the dice' with sutter as well? Same questions plague both players... mainly consistency. Obviously JB felt Sutter can contribute more than Bonino and that's fine with me. Time will tell.

Do you have a selective memory? you actually miss Bonino?

- CanuckDon

No. Never said that. Never made a connection between JB and Bonino. Just stated he's a good 2nd line/3rd line NHLer.

Any bets on who the ducks hire as coach? My money is on Crawford.

Any bets on who the ducks hire as coach? My money is on Crawford.
- thundachunk

They are going to steal Travis from Utica and it will make me really sad.

They are going to steal Travis from Utica and it will make me really sad.
- Codes1087

I dont think they are going to do a rookie coach with the vets they have up front, I agree with the Crawford idea

They are going to steal Travis from Utica and it will make me really sad.
- Codes1087

Do you think Utica's recent playoff performance might tarnish that shine a little bit?

Do you think Utica's recent playoff performance might tarnish that shine a little bit?
- bloatedmosquito

no not really. Utica is much different than what it was the year before.