GDT: Game 48: Columbus at Buffalo | 1/18 7PM EST

[SuperGenius]

Really? You find it amazing that people make predictions about performance based on linemates?

And again, I want to point out that RJ's finishing is not terrible. It's his puck control. Our possession time would be higher if he was good at it, and that does translate into lower production for his linemates.

I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree. There are a lot of moving parts, and I never understand how people can fixate on one guy as the one 'dragging the line/team/some other player down.' IMO, I think you're fixated on this idea that Umberger can't 'hang' and you're seeing kind of what you want to see.

For instance, does it surprise you that Umbergers takeaways/giveaways are 24/17 for a +7 while Joey's are 23/20 for +3? Maybe Joey could hold onto the puck a little more himself?

Umberger has been doing fine this season, his line is solid and the CBJ are winning games. I understand the desire to want more (kinda) but I do not understand this notion that only similarly skilled players should be on a line together. It's the sum of the parts that matters, not the playstation ratings of the parts and how closely they match one another.

 

[Jyrki]

Can't believe the Umberger hate. Yeah, he's not the best at handling the puck in stride but he plays with total effort out there and is always in good position to make plays. He's not always going to connect on a RyJo play, but he will create chances off turnovers, cycling and net presence.

 

[Crede777]

One of the problems with Nash was that he wasn't surrounded by talent early on in his NHL career.

That may be the root of the incipient fear of Johansen topping out as a 60-70 point player.

 

[Nordique]

RJ creates alot of offensive chances with his blue line take aways. Its a different contribution than say Gaborik or Horton would bring to that line. I believe for the greater success of the team, those lines are best as is. Todd will figure the rest out as we go. So no, I don't think RJ is pulling anyone down. He's playing his game very well.

 

[thebus2288*]

but he will create chances off turnovers, cycling and net presence.

About 80% of goals scored in the game of hockey need at least 1 of those to have big impact on the play. The other 20% result from skills that RJ Umberger does not have.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

Keep going! Hope you guys make the playoffs this year.

 

[cbj21]

I think Umberger has been playing better and better, obviously so does the coach.

 

[EspenK]

Maetzold: "You probably didn't know six games is franchise record. What does that mean to you?"
Tropp (pausing while thinking to himself "it means this franchise has sucked for a long time"): "Uhhh...."

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I didn't mean to discount Umberger -- yes the line is working well now. It's more that I wanted to see the two Folignos together.

They were together at least once last night -- in a scrum in front of the net, shoving each other in the face.

 

[Dr. Fire]

Well, that *whew* game is out of the way.

After seeing what happened to L.A. last night I am thinking they are going to be coming in here in a very bad mood on Tuesday.

We better be ready.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

Kinda makes up for the stopping the clock game against CBJ the year they won the cup. It's a bad call but I'm not gonna cry a river for the Kings but it sucks the Wings got 2 points because of it.

 

[CharlotteJacket]

Way to early to be asking this question, but here it goes anyway. Are the playoff slots based on points regardless of which division we are in? Would we play Pittsburgh who has more points or Boston who is in the other division?

 

[DJA]

Way to early to be asking this question, but here it goes anyway. Are the playoff slots based on points regardless of which division we are in? Would we play Pittsburgh who has more points or Boston who is in the other division?

Yes, the wild card team with the fewest points is matched against the division winner with the most points, regardless of division. Wild card team with most points is matched against division winner with second most points.

 

[bizzz*]

Well, that *whew* game is out of the way.

After seeing what happened to L.A. last night I am thinking they are going to be coming in here in a very bad mood on Tuesday.

We better be ready.

They have a game in Boston on Monday. All the Detroit emotions will be gone by Tuesday and hopefully they will be tired.

Considering the Joey/Umby conversation I agree with both sides I mean I would like to see someone more skilled on the Joey's wing, but so far it works well with Umburger and another part in me says "don't fix it if it's not broken". I think Richards knows what he's doing.

 

[Paisano*]

Well, that *whew* game is out of the way.

After seeing what happened to L.A. last night I am thinking they are going to be coming in here in a very bad mood on Tuesday.

We better be ready.

It seems LA has a nasty habit of coming in here at least once a year and embarrassing us. 7-1, 8-2 etc. we need to reverse that trend!

 

[Doug19]

RJ Umberger has been fine this year, but my god screening and playing hard on the walls is such a terrible, terrible defense for a player saying he has been good. Almost every non skilled guy not on the fourth line in the league does those things. If you want to make a case for RJ you can bring up the fact that he does tend to cause a lot of havoc around the red line which causes turnovers, and he does tend to make solid, safe, and accurate passes on a consistent basis. Where he does tend to suck is he is an awful finisher so far. He can't take a pass and make a shot cleanly. Overall though he fits this team and I see no reason for him not to be on this squad right now, but if there is two people on the team I'd like to see upgraded it would be he and Anisimov in the offseason.

I'm extremely happy with this team. Unless bob ***** the bed, there is no way this team isn't a playoff team. Talent wise there aren't many in the league top to bottom that can touch us, the only thing we lack is a top line being anchored by a superstar, but Joey is working on that.

 

[LetsGOJackets!!]

Nice winning streak here before the Olympic break

and what, 70% home games till the break? Very nice position to be in. I have always been an RJ fan, he works his butt off and is just a working man's hockey player. He is going to have to lift his play to support his linemates or he won't be on that line.

I do think RJ brings some heart and soul & that is an intangible teammates appreciate more than fans.

Way to Go Jackets!

 

[Samkow]

I didn't mean to discount Umberger -- yes the line is working well now. It's more that I wanted to see the two Folignos together.

And other than the "awwww" factor of 2 brothers playing on the same line, it would be a significant downgrade. I'd rather try your "JMFJ at winger" idea than this.

 

[pete goegan]

Very good pro/con evaluations of RJ, I can see both sides. Personally, I'd like to see Gaborik replace him on the Joey line. With how the other two lines are working, though, that leaves no place for Umby but the fourth line. Unlikely, considering how Richards plays him now. On the other hand, where else do you plug in Gabby?

Better problems than I'm used to for this team!

 

[Jive Pawnbroker]

Better problems than I'm used to for this team!

No doubt - remember when he was slotted in as the first line center when he was acquired (which probably lasted a couple of shifts)?

 

[blahblah]

Kinda makes up for the stopping the clock game against CBJ the year they won the cup. It's a bad call but I'm not gonna cry a river for the Kings but it sucks the Wings got 2 points because of it.

Rofl, how in the world did they all miss that?

 

[Jackets16]

RJ Umberger has been fine this year, but my god screening and playing hard on the walls is such a terrible, terrible defense for a player saying he has been good. Almost every non skilled guy not on the fourth line in the league does those things. If you want to make a case for RJ you can bring up the fact that he does tend to cause a lot of havoc around the red line which causes turnovers, and he does tend to make solid, safe, and accurate passes on a consistent basis. Where he does tend to suck is he is an awful finisher so far. He can't take a pass and make a shot cleanly. Overall though he fits this team and I see no reason for him not to be on this squad right now, but if there is two people on the team I'd like to see upgraded it would be he and Anisimov in the offseason.

I agree. It isn't that Umberger is playing bad. It is that he just isn't good enough to be on our first or second line and he makes too much money to be on any other line. Also, with Foligno on Johansen's line, we really don't need a player like Umberger. We need someone with more talent and ability to score off of plays/passes by Johansen.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

As a Flyers fan, I will speak for them. I think the upcoming games between CLB and Philly is an important one. Philly NEEDS that win. They have a very rough schedule coming up and I can see CLB catching them before the Olympics. Philly has:
Boston, Detroit, Anahiem, LA, SJ, Colorado, Calgary and SJ for their last 8 games before the break. Philly could easily go 2-6 in those.
I expect a Philly slide coming up.

This was a post on the mains, I wasn't aware of how hard the Flyers schedule is upcoming. Hopefully good news there

 

[Jackets16]

We have that player, his name is Nathan Horton. But when you want three scoring lines some guys are going to have to play higher than they otherwise would in the lineup, and that's why Umberger is still up there. That or Coach Richards is just nuts.

Yes, but that is also why we need ANOTHER player like Horton and Johansen. Umberger is a player, based on his play and salary, that really doesn't have a fit on this team anymore, IMO.

 

[major major]

I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree. There are a lot of moving parts, and I never understand how people can fixate on one guy as the one 'dragging the line/team/some other player down.' IMO, I think you're fixated on this idea that Umberger can't 'hang' and you're seeing kind of what you want to see.

For instance, does it surprise you that Umbergers takeaways/giveaways are 24/17 for a +7 while Joey's are 23/20 for +3? Maybe Joey could hold onto the puck a little more himself?

Umberger has been doing fine this season, his line is solid and the CBJ are winning games. I understand the desire to want more (kinda) but I do not understand this notion that only similarly skilled players should be on a line together. It's the sum of the parts that matters, not the playstation ratings of the parts and how closely they match one another.

Can we disagree about something without you projecting / psychoanalyzing me? Everyone's opinion can be portrayed as some kind of "fixation", and for the record, I've been Umberger's defender on these boards many times. People say he's useless, etc.. and I say he's great without the puck, great at takeaways, etc...

"Playstation ratings"? "Only similarly skilled players should be on a line together"?You think you understand me?

We are seeing mostly the same thing out there. Umberger plays a valuable role in puck pressure but is well below average with puck control. I think its not that hard to find a guy who can do both, and that would lead to a lot more possession and more goals for the line. You can also guess that the line would have more goals if not for Foligno's weak shot, but I think its damn hard to find a guy who can do everything else Foligno does.