I know a lot of people agree. And I'm not going to say he didn't look bad a lot of last year. I'm not ready to write him off though. We know he had a hand injury. We know he had covid. And yes, he looked out of shape. His final 21 games he had gotten back to .5 PPG though. He's got a lot to prove but the progress/recovery was starting to show by the end of the year imo.
Bingo. All people mention is the out of shape and laziness. Which are legit complaints. No mention of the injury and COVID. I think the poor season was a combination of the 3, but that doesn't fit the narrative.
It's weird to cry narrative in that way. Max had 0 goals and 1 point in the 13 games he played leading up to his wrist injury. Had already played himself to a lineup demotion and at least one scratch (if I'm not mistaken). His best games were later in the season...AFTER the injury and covid. If anything those things are helping some people forget just how shitty he was.
I don't see how it isn't. Mc had a ROUGH year. To me it's pretty clear that he has to prove he's worthy. Adding a player who just had 43 pts who else do you bump? Lundestrom who just had 29 pts as a 3rd line match-up center? A well respected vet in Silf? With as many unknowns as we have I feel like the top 9 is pretty well set. Adding another means someone is ousted. Unless you think Rod could be a 4th liner?
The narrative I've seen is that Comtois was fat and lazy and didn't hustle. Fair enough. But to ignore the COVID and the hand injury to me isn't telling the entire story of his lousy season. This guy was our best offensive forward two years ago, is 23, and fans want him gone now. The fact that he appeared to be in better shape late in the season and started to produce gives me some hope.
The team, right now, has 4 established top 6 forwards (Zegras, Terry, Strome, Henrique) and two of them have only been "established" for a single season. The rest of the lineup is guys who are going to move up and down. I don't understand why you think this lineup is set right now. It will set--to an extent--at some point during the season, after guys establish chemistry and earn (or lose) their spots. And Eakins might have an idea of where he thinks guys are going to fit in right now but that doesn't mean anything is really set at all.
Adding actual NHL depth prevents having to use prospects in places they shouldn't be. It also buys a draft pick at the trade deadline.
Except this coach wouldn't scratch Grant. It would be Jones, Comtois, or maybe McTavish. BTW, I'm not against signing Rodriguez, just think I wouldn't give him much term.
To me it's about roster construction, roles and player expectations. I'm of the mind that when you're adding players you have some sort of idea where they will play. Imo I see Rod as a 3rd liner. We already have 3 top 9 LW 4 if you include mctavish. If McTavish plays center then likely Strome moves to RW. If Rod is cool with 4th line duties sure grab him. I'm going to go out on a limb and say a guy who just put up 43 pts will think he deserves more than that.
Have the link any chance? Thanks
I think that's too rigid -- I don't think coaches think of their lineups that way. But even if they did, you'd agree that we only have (at most) 4 top 6 forwards I think. That means 3rd and 4th-liners WILL play in the top 6 and that will require chemistry and experimentation, some of them will fail, they'll be moved up and down, different pairings and trios will be tried, players will be played out of position and on their off wings. That's before any injuries strike. ALL of our forwards, including Max, will get opportunities. That's true even if we were to sign one (or even two) more guys like Rodrigues, who's a bottom six guy.
Yes I'd agree but I also think there are 2 potential top 6 in MC and McTavish. Which would give us 6. I agree chemistry will end up playing a major role. I guess I just don't see a real NEED outside of extra depth. If Rod is cool with potential 4th line minutes then sure. I guess I just prefer the guys we have in the top 9. Admittedly I'm still a believer in MC and it seems a lot around here aren't.
I mean it's fine to have faith, but even the most devotedly faithful ought to have backup plans, right? Because let's say that's the lineup--as soon as one of those guys falters, do you really want Eakins to have no options? Faith isn't a good shield against injuries or the very natural ups and downs of a young, shallow lineup.
