Hagelin is not the problem. It is Richards who continually keeps giving the puck away. The whole line has no discipline.
I agree this line is terrible. Look to move Richards since he has had a pretty good year. Someone might bite and take him.
The problem is not Richards, it's the defense and the way they casually allow opposing offenses to skate to the net untouched.
That line just doesnt fit well together and never has. It doesnt have an identity. Callahan and Hagelin are ideal third line, forecheck, hard-working type guys who can also be counted on for about 20 goals possibly a few more. Richards is not a forecheck, hardworking type player. At all. He's having a decent season but even strength he's been just eh. I bet if you put J.T. Miller between those guys that line would really click.
A lot of transition goals given up. That's what happens playing a more open game. 4th liners beating us with goals. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
Agree, third line sucks and makes no sense. Callahan and Richards are way too slow for this style. Richards won't be here but he has played OK this season. Callahan as much as you love the guy doesn't fit here. I would think a team like the Ducks would offer up a lot for him.
Re: Agree, third line sucks and makes no sense. I know you're big on selling Cally right now because you think he doesnt fit this system, but I dont know if I'm on board with that. The line he is on right now is basically AV saying "well I have 3 top 9 guys left, might as well throw them together." Neither Richards nor Callahan are perfect fits for AV's up-tempo system, but they also don't fit each others game either. Richards looks to pass and create. Callahan wants to hit, forecheck, and score tough goals. End result: a disaster of a line that contributes nothing even strength. Hopefully either at the DL or in the offseason we get a big scoring winger to play with Zucc and Brassard and replace Pouliot. Pouliot has had a good season but he is a max 15 goal scorer. Put a guy with a pure scoring touch with Brassard and Zucc and no reason he wouldnt hit 25 or more. Those 2 just know how to create offense and thrive in this system. That along with the Nash power line would give this team 2 legit scoring lines That would leave a third line of Hagelin and Callahan on the wings, assuming Hagelin isnt necessary to get the scoring winger. When Richards is bought out, Miller gets that spot. That's a third line that plays the same type of game and can build off each other. Chemistry like that can cover up for a guy like Callahan who isn't a perfect system fit. My caveat though, is that we can't break the bank for Callahan when his ideal role is just a third line player.
I agree. Thats why you look to trade Richards. I know his contract is scary. We should not ask a lot then. A few draft picks would be ok with me. Put J.T in between cally and hags.
Nobody will deal for 6 more years of Richards at 7m. They'll just wait until he's bought out and sign him for less money, less years. I'd bring back Callahan if he's not asking too much, for maybe 3 more years. He's not up to speed this year, but slotted on a 3rd line he's very useful. Plus he's the captain so I think that holds weight in just letting him go.
The bottom line is this team isn't physical enough. Girardi allowed Tavares to do whatever he wanted behind the net with the puck without so much as putting a glove on him.
Re: Agree, third line sucks and makes no sense. At this point I wouldn't even pay Callahan 4 million a year. He's basically a 20 goal, 20 assist player without PP time and he stinks on that unit. In other words, sell high.
It is a tough call on cally. He's been one of the better homegrown players in last 20 years, since they won the cup so it would be tough to see him leave. I think he will be back for around 4 million or so.
Cally seems to be breaking down a bit given his style of play but he is still important IMO at right price. I am fine w 4m per year
According to a few articles I saw, one of the motivations for the DZ trade was to ensure the money that would have gone to him can be spent on bringing Girardi and Callahan back. Talks with both players have been ongoing and progress has been made, so right now I'd say expect to see them both back.
Dis, I think we'd all be fine with 4m but do not see either one accepting a penny under 5 and girardi in the 6 range. Hopefully Sather either gets the commitment he wants from them both or trade whichever one or both at the trade deadline for what we need (big,tough scoring winger and physical d-man) although I wonder with klein aboard and big mac coming maybe rangers don't think that part is a need anymore.
Re: Agree, third line sucks and makes no sense. It may be the only way Callahan gets to part of the Stanley Cup.
Richards is back fo coasting and blindly throwing the puck around. Cant cut him fast enough. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
