Frans: two questions...

[xIsle]

1) is this the real Frans Nielsen? and..

2) if the answer is "yes", how in the hell could we not shift Strome to RW?

I know it's still a small sample size, and this could just be the streak of Nielsen's career, but this wouldn't be the first time a guy hit his stride in his late 20's to become a great player. The biggest difference seems to be his shot, which always appeared to be non-existent in the past, now seems like a big strength. He's always had the playmaking ability, but rarely had much help in the way of supporting cast earlier in his career. Now he has the shot, and he has the linemates to put up points - could this guy turn into that 60+ 2C that we've been waiting for since... Peca I guess...?

If he indeed does turn into that player, I would think that Strome is a lock to move to RW. There is no way you are going to shift Nielsen down to the 3rd line if he continues to produce like this, and Strome in a 3C role doesn't seem like much of a fit.

Like I said before, I know it's still early, but I would think the success of Nielsen this year could determine a lot of Strome's future here.

Don't know if anyone notice, but in the last 3 games, Nielsen played as a RW and Bailey was the center.
I personally don't quite understand that switch since Bailey is even worse than Nielsen in winning face-off : 49,5% for Nielsen and only 34% for Bailey.

 

[Disgraced Cosmonaut]

interesting thread, but we're 10 games into the season and have several new players. i don't think any moves will be made in the next 10 games unless we go on a crazy losing streak- which, for the first time in years, i don't foresee. the 3 new offensive parts are going to be given more than 1/8th of the season to fit in. frans will continue to produce, but not at this rate. someone mentioned him potentially finishing w/ 60ish points. I'd take that in a heartbeat. If he, Bailey, Grabs, and KO crack 20 goals, we will be a very tough team to keep out of the playoffs. look around the league and see how many teams have 6 20+ goal scorers. that, my friends, is balance... now about that netminder...

 

[19NYSports91]

What i think happened is this. Frans has always been pretty good offensively. He doesnt have a hard shot at all but hes accurate and he can get his shot off quick. Hes usually pass first which a lot of times catches goalies off guard. Now that his linemates are playing better it is opening up for him.

Linemates can really change perceptions of players. Not always but it happens. Either that or Frans made a deal with god to change his shootout skills into regulation scoring.

His release is VERY good.

 

[blinkman360]

Because Nielsen is playing well (putting up numbers) over a limited stretch of games, Strome should be RW on the 1st line? Makes sense.

Richie Downers, you really are the best.

 

[redbull]

Don't know if anyone notice, but in the last 3 games, Nielsen played as a RW and Bailey was the center.
I personally don't quite understand that switch since Bailey is even worse than Nielsen in winning face-off : 49,5% for Nielsen and only 34% for Bailey.

I don't think Bailey's playing centre, I think he's just taking the faceoffs. Not sure why.

Bailey was awful on faceoffs against the Pens, winning 3 of 15. I noticed Cappy had JT taking a huge faceoff in his own zone late in the third, with Cizikas and Martin, then going off right away for McDonald.

it's always a pleasure to watch nielsen. i don't expect this scoring to continue at this pace, but he's by far our most consistent forward at carrying the puck in, maintaining possession, and shutting down opposing lines. now that his shooting has improved, there just isn't a conspicuous flaw in his game.

Nielsen is just a really smart hockey player, he can play with anyone, in any situation. He's getting smarter and more effective each year. The points are getting him more attention but he's still the same player he always has been.

And Bailey's looking like he's UNDERPAID this year. Who would have thought, based on reading this board when he signed his deal.

 

[xIsle]

I don't think Bailey's playing centre, I think he's just taking the faceoffs. Not sure why.

Bailey was awful on faceoffs against the Pens, winning 3 of 15. I noticed Cappy had JT taking a huge faceoff in his own zone late in the third, with Cizikas and Martin, then going off right away for McDonald.



Nielsen is just a really smart hockey player, he can play with anyone, in any situation. He's getting smarter and more effective each year. The points are getting him more attention but he's still the same player he always has been.

And Bailey's looking like he's UNDERPAID this year. Who would have thought, based on reading this board when he signed his deal.

That's what I thought too, but what's the reasonning of this? If Nielsen is still the centreman, let him take the face-off since he's better than Bailey!

 

[19NYSports91]

I don't think Bailey's playing centre, I think he's just taking the faceoffs. Not sure why.

Bailey was awful on faceoffs against the Pens, winning 3 of 15. I noticed Cappy had JT taking a huge faceoff in his own zone late in the third, with Cizikas and Martin, then going off right away for McDonald.



Nielsen is just a really smart hockey player, he can play with anyone, in any situation. He's getting smarter and more effective each year. The points are getting him more attention but he's still the same player he always has been.

And Bailey's looking like he's UNDERPAID this year. Who would have thought, based on reading this board when he signed his deal.

Good post. Bailey would take the faceoff and then they would switch positions, not sure what deal is.

Surprised that Tavares took the faceoff instead of Cizikas, I guess just in case someone got kicked out?

Nielsen looks like the same player to me as well, just getting points.

A lot of people hate on Bailey/Okposo on these boards because of inconsistent play, I wasn't one of them. Bailey wasn't in great position to succeed in his earlier years bc of his linemates and also playing center. He looks so much better as a winger and is really clicking with Nielsen for the past 2 years. He should have shot the puck on that great feed from Hamonic though! Need to get a shot off on a good scoring chance like that .

 

[Sheva7]

What's concerning to me is that we never seem to have both top lines 'clicking' at the same time.

It's always one plays bad and the other (coupled with our special teams PP & PK) plays great and bails em out.

I would love to see us put together a string of games where both JT's line and Franzy's line come out and play great 5 on 5.

It never happens!

Maybe things will change eventually when Nelson and Strome become fixtures on this team.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Richie Downers, you really are the best.

Since I am the best, it only makes sense that Strome go to RW and the top line should be:

Bailey - Tavares - Strome

Other things that necessitate that move: I found a $5 bill in my jacket yesterday, my kid got a haircut last week, gas went up 3¢ a gallon, the sun came out and dogs bark. Really, whatever to get Strome on RW 1st line. You know, where he belongs.

 

[blinkman360]

Since I am the best, it only makes sense that Strome go to RW and the top line should be:

Bailey - Tavares - Strome

Other things that necessitate that move: I found a $5 bill in my jacket yesterday, my kid got a haircut last week, gas went up 3¢ a gallon, the sun came out and dogs bark. Really, whatever to get Strome on RW 1st line. You know, where he belongs.

A) I know you think that rookies in top-six roles is right up there with terrorism, identity fraud and country music, but time and time and time and time again prospects like Strome start their NHL careers and never see bottom-six time. Especially prospects like Strome who get 2+ years of seasoning, which is probably more unheard of than anything you are opposed to in this thread(I would post the statistics of top-5 picks again, but I'm sure I'll read the same "I don't care how other teams develop their prospects" line).

B) Is expecting a 20 year old rookie Strome to produce on our top-line any more outrageous than expecting grinder Cal Clutterbuck to produce there? Because right now, Cal Clutterbuck is our 1st line RW. But I guess he's "paid his dues"...

 

[Benedict Kovalchuk]

If it isn't broken, don't fix it. Our second line has been fantastic, no reason to change anything there.

Yeah, definitely. Let Nielsen do what Nielsen does and not try change it up too much.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

A) I know you think that rookies in top-six roles is right up there with terrorism, identity fraud and country music

I don't think that at all. I just think there's a lot of rationalization from some camps in regards to putting Strome on the 1st line.

Regardless, I never make this stuff personal. You may wanna check that ****.

B) Is expecting a 20 year old rookie Strome to produce on our top-line any more outrageous than expecting grinder Cal Clutterbuck to produce there? Because right now, Cal Clutterbuck is our 1st line RW. But I guess he's "paid his dues"...

Clutterbuck played on the 1st line for like 5 minutes. Okposo is the 1st line RW. Besides, from all indications, Strome is going to be a C.

 

[duster19]

His shooting percentage is 26 right now. His career is 9.8. Odds are he regresses to the mean and his production slows. Ride him while he's hot!

 

[BigWorm]

I don't think Bailey's playing centre, I think he's just taking the faceoffs. Not sure why.

Bailey was awful on faceoffs against the Pens, winning 3 of 15. I noticed Cappy had JT taking a huge faceoff in his own zone late in the third, with Cizikas and Martin, then going off right away for McDonald.



Nielsen is just a really smart hockey player, he can play with anyone, in any situation. He's getting smarter and more effective each year. The points are getting him more attention but he's still the same player he always has been.

And Bailey's looking like he's UNDERPAID this year. Who would have thought, based on reading this board when he signed his deal.

Not sure why this is being argued. Last year Okposo was taking face-offs for Nielsen when they were on the same line.

Frans is a great player for this team but he is weak at two aspects of the game. One being face-offs and two, is his lack of pulling the trigger when he has a great shot.

He is one of my favorite Isles and I will more than overlook his deficiencies on face-offs if he would just shoot it a little more. IMO one of the most underrated players in the league.

 

[xIsle]

Not sure why this is being argued. Last year Okposo was taking face-offs for Nielsen when they were on the same line.

Frans is a great player for this team but he is weak at two aspects of the game. One being face-offs and two, is his lack of pulling the trigger when he has a great shot.

He is one of my favorite Isles and I will more than overlook his deficiencies on face-offs if he would just shoot it a little more. IMO one of the most underrated players in the league.

The situation was not exactly the same. Okposo is a right hand shooter while Nielsen is a left hand. The two alternated depending on where the face-off was on the Ice. So there was a bit of logic behind that decision.

Bailey, like Nielsen, is a left hand and he is not better than Nielsen to win face-offs. This year so far : Nielsen is at 50% and Bailey is at 40%. So what is the point?

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

His shooting percentage is 26 right now. His career is 9.8. Odds are he regresses to the mean and his production slows. Ride him while he's hot!

I just picked him up as an injury replacement for my fantasy team... which means this hot streak will end immediately.

 

[CREW99AW]

I love the starts for Frans and Okposo. My two favorite Islanders. I hope they can keep their scoring paces up. I don't know which one has surprised me more.

Did Denmark qualify for the 2014 Olympics?

 

[QuietContrarian]

I love the starts for Frans and Okposo. My two favorite Islanders. I hope they can keep their scoring paces up. I don't know which one has surprised me more.

Did Denmark qualify for the 2014 Olympics?

Nope

Denmark has a lot of their best players, playing in NA and therefore not available to play the quals'.

None-the-less they still dissapointed hugely by not qualifying.

 

[CREW99AW]

Nope

Denmark has a lot of their best players, playing in NA and therefore not available to play the quals'.

None-the-less they still dissapointed hugely by not qualifying.

That is too bad. I was thinking Frans/Grabner/Tavares were locks for their Olympic teams.

 

[Tobias]

That is too bad. I was thinking Frans/Grabner/Tavares were locks for their Olympic teams.

And Regin.

 

[seafoam]

Frans has always been one of my favorite Islanders but right now he is my number one favorite, even over JT. He is just so quietly consistent, knows his role and accepts it, and can literally play with anyone in any situation.

 

[Bagge]

Nope

Denmark has a lot of their best players, playing in NA and therefore not available to play the quals'.

None-the-less they still dissapointed hugely by not qualifying.

That lockout last year should have lasted another month, so we could have had all our best players in the qualification.

Imagine what this team could have done for Denmark in the Olympics.

N. Hardt - L. Eller - M. Bødker
J. Hansen - F. Nielsen - N. Jensen
M. Madsen - P. Regin - J. Jacobsen
K. Staal - M. Green - P. Bjorkstrand

Edit; sorry, didnt see I had ended up in an Islanders-thread.