Fabian Zetterlund traded to Ottawa

[kilroy]

I thought he said on CiH a few weeks ago, he was hoping for mid to late April.

Playoffs. He'll be activated just in time for the playoffs. Otherwise, there's cap problems.

Ya. I think we're going back to the 2000s to find a stronger team. I'm excited for the playoffs.

I dunno, some of the mid 2010s teams were quite deep. There are still some big questions on the back end, and the 4th line is pretty suspect, but it is one of the stronger rosters in a long time.

 

[HSF]

I don't understand why they traded for him, I have yet to see a single thing from this guy.

cause when inevitably one of Perron, Greig or Amadio look like they need to move down the lineup they will have someone capable replace them and not Adam Gaudette

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I don't know how you judge a guy playing under 10 minutes a night with the 2 very clearly worst forwards on the roster. Not exactly an opportunity to succeed and Mike Hoffman is one of the few I can remember stacking goals in a situation like that.

Definitely needs a better C.. but... is he better at the roles the top 9 players where they are slotted that play in front of him. He really has done very little to influence a change. (see line mates)
Still like adding the piece and we will likely need him to move up if someone misses time and/or games so we get to see more. He put up 13/17 g and 17/19 a at even strength in San Jose this year playing in the top 6 mostly with Granlund.

 

[Dionysus]

Right now it's tough to judge him, playing on the 4th line that has zero playmaking ability. Getting 30 second shifts. Great depth though, he will get a chance with better players soon. Would like to see him mixed in with Stutzle more. 2nd and 3rd lines have been very good lately though.

Shows some good jump, battles on the wall, forechecks well, has a nose for the net. Also takes the shot when it's there.

 

[SlapJack]

We were missing depth all season due to injuries to Perron, Cousins, and Norris. Giroux was inconsistent, Amadio and Greig were playing average without Pinto. Batherson was asleep at the wheel.

Fast forward to now … Perron comes back and starts playing well. Norris is traded for Cozens so that’s not an issue anymore. Batherson is revived. First line starts playing well again. Greig and Amadio are back with Pinto and playing incredible.

Looking at it now, I agree with you. Ostapchuk would be a better fit here winning faceoffs, PK, playing fast and hard and bring physicality playing 4th line center. I’d rather have Ostapchuk the way our lineup is currently structured.

The thing is when the trade was made we actually needed depth, and we probably will need it going forward, but right now if you ask me I would rather have Osty on 4C and MacEwen on 4RW and send Highmore/Gaudette to the moon. At least that line would have an identity. Our 4th line is useless right now and they should honestly not play more than 5 minutes a night…. But you can’t play Zetterlund 5 minutes a night.

It’s a good situation to be in for the team… in a way … but you have to wonder when Zetterlund and his agent start calling Staios and ask for more playing time. Guy is in a contract year and was pacing 45ish points and was brought in to add scoring depth. There’s no way he’s happy with where he’s at. He’s in a contract year, he needs to play. For us we also don’t know what we have … so how do you determine if you want to give him a long term deal?

I still thinks he gets in and gets a lot more playing time at the expense of another player who’s playing really well.

I think I’d try Greig at 4C, Perron on 3LW and Zetterlund on 2LW.

Why would you take an established player who is playing well, is part of a line that's clicking, already better than Zetterlund will ever be, and put him on the 4th line? Grieg is better at center than the wing, but he's still better where he is regardless.

I like the Zetterlund acquisition but he's a bottom 6 player that's played on a terrible team with no depth. Since he has some good attributes he moved up into better opportunities with better linemates and PP time, as well as facing NHL backup goalies more often than not.

Keep him on the 4th line until he either shows something more, or another line needs a shake up.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Definitely needs a better C.. but... is he better at the roles the top 9 players where they are slotted that play in front of him. He really has done very little to influence a change. (see line mates)
Still like adding the piece and we will likely need him to move up if someone misses time and/or games so we get to see more. He put up 13/17 g and 17/19 a at even strength in San Jose this year playing in the top 6 mostly with Granlund.

Ya I dont know that he's blown the doors off and dont mean it as criticism of roster decisions as they are humming atm in general, but I think its fair to say its hard for a player to show out playing 10 minutes with the 2 worst players on the team by a fairly large margin. Im not making assessments of him based on his current role and who he's playing with.

I suspect the story still has more pages to play out. Looking forward to it.

Its funny cuz Ive wanted G off the top line, but after we got Z, I realized that wasnt gonna just happen and G would be pissed. He's been playing will too.

 

[playasRus]

Could also maybe just rotate him into the Stutzle line for 3-4 min a game to get his TOI into the terms, rest Giroux and Brady a bit.