I was very quick to dismiss him at the start of the year, I felt he had a tendancy to turn the puck over at bad times and was not bringing any offensive ability. He has definitely picked up his play over the last several weeks and I am eating my words a little. He needs to keep it going though, they're going to struggle to score all year but if he can chip with the frequency he has been over the last 10 games it will be a huge help.
He's got alot of ability, it's just a matter of running more hot than cold with him, which I guess he's had problems with since he was picked. I was hoping at the beginning of the year he could hit the 20g mark so maybe he will.
I liked the Pouliot signing, and said so at the time. Thought he could score 15 on the 3rd line. Right now that's his pace, so maybe he can get there. He has size and isn't afraid to park himself in front. Look at where almost all of his goals come from, right in front. He is the kind of player we always need. The issue with BP was never talent/ability, he has that for sure. His issue is staying focused and playing hard game after game. We'll see if he can do that once this hot streak he is on ends. Then we'll know if this is a streak or if he turned a corner. We'll see...
What I won't like is if they put Callahan on the PP when he returns. He sucks there. I don't care if he scores 8 to 10 goals on the PP on rebounds. Callahan doesn't provide good screens because he's small and his passing is atrocious. Pouliot is much more effective on the PP and they need to keep him there.
Somehow, Callahan got this rep of being good on the PP. He's not. If you play the PP all season on the first unit, you are bound to get 7-8 PP goals. Callahan is not a PP player. They just didn't have enough people to fill that role. That and Torts was an imbecile running the PP.
The PP is the place where we have seen the most growth away from Torts. We are 8th on the PP, that is amazing. The Canucks are 24th. Not saying that is the end all be all, but clearly the PP and Torts don't mix well.
I am so sick and tired of Sam talking about Callahan's great hands. I've seen Kreider make more neat plays this year than Callahan has the past 3 years. Same for Zucc to give him credit and I wasn't even a fan of his to start this season. Just one more reason why offering Callahan over 4 million is absurd. He's really a fringe second line player. He'll score against the average defensive teams. Against the elite defensive teams, he usually does nothing.
On a legit, well rounded team Callahan belongs on the third line. It's a shame we don't have enough front-end scoring which forced him into a top 6 role. It's going to be interesting what they do with Pouliot once Callahan gets back. I think I put Callahan with Hagelin and Miller and bump Pouliot to 4th line with Dorsett, but keep Pouliot on the PP. If you remember last year, Callahan and Miller played together for a few games and played really well before Torts jumbled everything for no reason.
I knew nothing about pouliot coming into the season but after a slow start with us he looks like he is getting comfortable out there and turning into good player for us. Cally needs to be traded for assets before the next inevitable injury and like dump says him playing over kreider on the PP is a joke. Maybe av saw the slick move by kreider on the pp the other night against tampa on the semi breakaway and the quick hands equalling no chance for the goalie to stop it. Really love that friggin hobbit out there now especially when he crashes into someone bigger(everyone out there) and skates away with the puck. Go Frodo!!! Allen looked ok out there and I'd like to see more. Hope av keeps playing del z and stops scratching him especially if looking to trade him.
