Player Discussion Josh Anderson - The Rene Bourque Edition

[Canadiens98]

The current Anderson-Suzuki-CC line is essentially the start of the year line with CC replacing Drouin.

When Drouin was in that seat, they started out well, then faded. I'm all for giving this line time together, and the proof will be in the pudding over time.

This was one of the combinations I wanted to try. But finding Anderson a role would be huge. He hasn't really helped a line since the early success with Drouin and Suzuki.

I actually don't mind this at all. We're starting to build a nice little group of wingers that can work together. Bergevin needs to be given credit for that. For as good as we look this year, I think we're going to be much better next season.

 

[salbutera]

The guy has all of 6 pts in 21 games in playoffs playing on top lines

In case anyone didn't realize, thats not exactly awe-inspiring numbers

How does that compare to Tom Wilson’s numbers playing w Ovy & Kuznetsov/ Backstrom?

Let me help: Wilson is 0.4PPG playoff career (80GP) vs 0.35 for Anderson’s career (42GP), who has never played w Ovy caliber or Panarin in CBJ etc.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I agree with you, was simply pointing out Toffoli has been awful lately. Suzuki’s line is our only consistent offensive threat so when one member of the line goes ice cold, it really hurts our offensive output.

Players like that will go through ups and downs. Focus on the sum of all parts vs one player. This is the playoffs and the cup finals. Even Point has no goals against us... so far

 

[M.C.G. 31]

He repeats the same move over and over... gets to the net but usually doesn’t finish. Tonight he had CC there get to the rebound first and then gave a great 2nd effort.

Honestly, doesn’t really matter. There are very few defensemen in the league who’d be able to slow down and push Anderson off and away from the net as he’s barrelling down the wing at full speed. His tunnel vision can be annoying, but when he does what he did and puts in the effort to keep the play alive the way he did, we’ll at least get a chance to put the puck in the net more times than not. It’s all about effort and when he wants to give it with him. He easily could have let the play die and not push it out to Caufield in front as he went behind the net.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Is it just me or all our average/poor skaters are getting exposed versus the Lightning compared to our better skater like Anderson.

I mean Toffoli, Gallagher have been putrid while Anderson, Suzuki and Danault have looked good.

It is very hard to keep the pace with them they have very good skater offensively and defensively.

 

[shao01]

How does that compare to Tom Wilson’s numbers playing w Ovy & Kuznetsov/ Backstrom?

Let me help: Wilson is 0.4PPG playoff career (80GP) vs 0.35 for Anderson’s career (42GP), who has never played w Ovy caliber or Panarin in CBJ etc.

Wilson is an average player, Anderson is an average player; both makes too much $ for what they do.

Difference is one is overly engagely to the point of reckless while the other is often not engaged enough

I would've been ok with Anderson at 4M; he gets paid about 1.5M too much for what he brings to the table for me

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I still want to be patient about judging his contract. I still think he was nursing something over the Toronto/Peg series. He really hasn't looked back since that long layoff. I also think he can still be better honestly. Suzuki and CC are also going to make him look dynamite if we go with that trio long term. If he uses his speed and size for puck retrieval on that line and keep it simple, they could be unstoppable going forward.

 

[Kennerback]

Is it just me or all our average/poor skaters are getting exposed versus the Lightning compared to our better skater like Anderson.

I mean Toffoli, Gallagher have been putrid while Anderson, Suzuki and Danault have looked good.

It is very hard to keep the pace with them they have very good skater offensively and defensively.

yes. Their small guys fly. Johnson, Gourde....

 

[Tyson]

yes. Their small guys fly. Johnson, Gourde....

Tampa has some serious skill and speed.

 

[smcgreg]

Honestly, doesn’t really matter. There are very few defensemen in the league who’d be able to slow down and push Anderson off and away from the net as he’s barrelling down the wing at full speed. His tunnel vision can be annoying, but when he does what he did and puts in the effort to keep the play alive the way he did, we’ll at least get a chance to put the puck in the net more times than not. It’s all about effort and when he wants to give it with him. He easily could have let the play die and not push it out to Caufield in front as he went behind the net.

As with those who want to put KK on the 4th line, ... if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Anderson driving the net is a formula that works. It creates offense, it doesn't always convert, but it creates offense. He's not the most creative player, so, stick with what works until it doesn't. I'm pretty sure it's gonna keep working until he slows down. So, why do anything else?

 

[BlueJacketBlues]

As a Blue Jackets fan, what little fun I have this time of year involves watching former Jackets play. Many of you express the same frustration that Torts had with Anderson. He just isn't there every game. But when he is there, wow. When the Jackets swept the Lightning some years ago, Anderson scored only one goal. But at the end of the series when Cooper was asked to evaluate what happened he said, "We had no answer for Anderson". That's what he gives you.

 

[Sorinth]

As with those who want to put KK on the 4th line, ... if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Anderson driving the net is a formula that works. It creates offense, it doesn't always convert, but it creates offense. He's not the most creative player, so, stick with what works until it doesn't. I'm pretty sure it's gonna keep working until he slows down. So, why do anything else?

The Suzuki line wasn't broke yet we still changed it up and it worked out. It's far better to be proactive and make adjustments/fix things before they break.

 

[smcgreg]

The Suzuki line wasn't broke yet we still changed it up and it worked out. It's far better to be proactive and make adjustments/fix things before they break.

What if you break them by messing around?

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

What if you break them by messing around?

...chance to make it better over Loser Mentality...period...winner's take the shot, loser's lose when they don't take it...

 

[Sorinth]

What if you break them by messing around?

Well combined they have 1 goal 0 assists and are a -10 this series so I wouldn't worry too much about breaking them.

But I'll answer your question with a question. Was it a mistake to mess around with the Suzuki line and potentially break Suzki/Caufield?

 

[japhi]

Ya

As a Blue Jackets fan, what little fun I have this time of year involves watching former Jackets play. Many of you express the same frustration that Torts had with Anderson. He just isn't there every game. But when he is there, wow. When the Jackets swept the Lightning some years ago, Anderson scored only one goal. But at the end of the series when Cooper was asked to evaluate what happened he said, "We had no answer for Anderson". That's what he gives you.

ya but being a player other teams can’t answer to is only worth 4mm per. Don’t believe me, see posts above from some of the most knowledgeable fans in the universe.

 

[canucklover123]

Is it just me or all our average/poor skaters are getting exposed versus the Lightning compared to our better skater like Anderson.

I mean Toffoli, Gallagher have been putrid while Anderson, Suzuki and Danault have looked good.

It is very hard to keep the pace with them they have very good skater offensively and defensively.

It's painfully obvious with Perry and Stall. After they kill it on the cycle, it takes them a full minute to get back on any fast breaks.

Tampa's first goal started early enough where Perry wasnt fast enough to cut off the winger on the board.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

It's painfully obvious with Perry and Stall. After they kill it on the cycle, it takes them a full minute to get back on any fast breaks.

Tampa's first goal started early enough where Perry wasnt fast enough to cut off the winger on the board.

...when Perry & Staal are out there, the term isn't Fast Breaks, it's just Breaks...

 

[Locks]

The current Anderson-Suzuki-CC line is essentially the start of the year line with CC replacing Drouin.

When Drouin was in that seat, they started out well, then faded. I'm all for giving this line time together, and the proof will be in the pudding over time.

This was one of the combinations I wanted to try. But finding Anderson a role would be huge. He hasn't really helped a line since the early success with Drouin and Suzuki.

The fact that Anderson-Suzuki-Druin line faded is no surprise. If we look at Druin's history in Mtl, he has never found any sustained chemistry with any linemates despite his obvious skills. When he arrived, they assumed it would be a natural fit with Patch - one is a passer and another is a shooter and both are great skaters - no cigar. Same story with Domi and later KK and Suzuki.

Anderson is exactly the PF type to complement Suzuki-CC duo. While the first game was promising, we'll need to see more to know if we have a bona-fide top line with Anderson on it. I think some posters have proposed Saad as a UFA target if he becomes available and Saad is a potential good fit on this line as well.

Against a top skating team, it is seems clear that Toffoli does not have the speed to play with the two kids.

As for Anderson's production. the PF's don't produce as much as the pure skill guys. Corson never matched Koivu and Rechi's production but he created space for them to do their thing.

 

[26Mats]

The fact that Anderson-Suzuki-Druin line faded is no surprise. If we look at Druin's history in Mtl, he has never found any sustained chemistry with any linemates despite his obvious skills. When he arrived, they assumed it would be a natural fit with Patch - one is a passer and another is a shooter and both are great skaters - no cigar. Same story with Domi and later KK and Suzuki.

Anderson is exactly the PF type to complement Suzuki-CC duo. While the first game was promising, we'll need to see more to know if we have a bona-fide top line with Anderson on it. I think some posters have proposed Saad as a UFA target if he becomes available and Saad is a potential good fit on this line as well.

Against a top skating team, it is seems clear that Toffoli does not have the speed to play with the two kids.

As for Anderson's production. the PF's don't produce as much as the pure skill guys. Corson never matched Koivu and Rechi's production but he created space for them to do their thing.

I'm for trying Anderson because of his size, speed, and ability to finish. But I still think a Suzuki and Caufield are maximized when the they play with another player that can make plays.

The following are 1st line trios where all three players can make plays with each other:
Conor-Scheifele-Wheeler,
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak,
Oshie-Backstrom/Kuznetsov-Ovechkin
Palat-Point-Kucherov

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

I'm for trying Anderson because of his size, speed, and ability to finish. But I still think a Suzuki and Caufield are maximized when the they play with another player that can make plays.

The following are 1st line trios where all three players can make plays with each other:
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler,
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak,
Oshie-Backstrom/Kuznetsov-Ovechkin
Palat-Point-Kucherov

...actually, all 4 of those examples highlight two players who are highly adept passers and a shooter who really isn't...so far, Caufield has shown to be a pretty underrated passer...Anderson might just be the best winger we have for them...

 

[Locks]

I'm for trying Anderson because of his size, speed, and ability to finish. But I still think a Suzuki and Caufield are maximized when the they play with another player that can make plays.

The following are 1st line trios where all three players can make plays with each other:
Conor-Scheifele-Wheeler,
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak,
Oshie-Backstrom/Kuznetsov-Ovechkin
Palat-Point-Kucherov

I agree, having a PF is not a must as these lines demonstrate but I am not sure we have such a skill type winger on the current roster to complement the dynamic duo. I actually think of such a player in the organization and it is Poehling. His combo of speed, size and vision can potentially make him a candidate but that will have to wait till camp.

But if there is a PF that can really fit, that will be perfect. A more recent example was Erik Cole who I think is the closest stylistically to Anderson. Cole's driving to the net opened up much space for DD and Patch and both had their best seasons with Cole there.

 

[26Mats]

...actually, all 4 of those examples highlight two players who are highly adept passers and a shooter who really isn't...so far, Caufield has shown to be a pretty underrated passer...Anderson might just be the best winger we have for them...

Conor, Ovechkin, Pasternak, and Palat can all make plays with the puck. They are more than shooters, like Cole Caufield.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Conor, Ovechkin, Pasternak, and Palat can all make plays with the puck. They are more than shooters, like Cole Caufield.

...I'll give you Palat and probably Pastrnak, but Connor and Ovie have Josh Anderson-level passing ability, imo...

 

[26Mats]

...I'll give you Palat and probably Pastrnak, but Connor and Ovie have Josh Anderson-level passing ability, imo...

Well, either way, Toffoli is too slow to play with Suzuki and CC this series. So hopefully Anderson works out.

Tatar bobbles the puck too much, Gallagher probably dosen't work size wise. Maybe Evans is the next best option if Anderson doesn't work. But hopefully And err rson works.

Like Vegas after going to the final in their 1st year, I think we should continue to try to improve the team and not stand pat. Vegas brought in Statsny, Pacioretty, Stone, Pietrangelo, and Martinez. I think we should still try to get a skilled forward or two to replace Tatar and Drouin, and a puck moving dman who can actually play D, unlike Gus. But if Anderson could fit with Suzi and Cole long term, that would be huge.