I was more than fine starting the season with him on the first PP unit. In fact he did get some reps on PP1 when Mika was really struggling, but he did less than nothing with the opportunity. Not that I don't think that the knucklehead coach went back to Mika a bit too soon when the PP didn't improve.
Fast forward to the present & yes I have a huge problem handing him a spot now when he's shown so many lazy traits, specifically in his own end where he refuses to backcheck. His biggest issue is that he keeps imitating his linemate who is also immune from accountability, but is a turnover machine with the worst lazy habits on the team.
Maybe if he was disciplined or sat for a game a two, then comes back moving his feet while being fully engaged for more than a week, I'd have no problem giving him another shot with the 1st unit. Until I see some of that laziness coached out of him, he's just another member of this entitled core who got paid, then checked out.
Don’t get me started. ……
it’s actually crazy to say I’d rather trade a guy who produces points like Bread then have him on the current roster.
Most will probably think I’m crazy, but for the fans who actually watch every minute of each game know that when he’s gone it will be addition by subtraction for the good of the overall team……
Everyone that plays with him for an extended period of time seems like their entire overall play suffers and as you said, imitations of his style and overall type of game he plays seems to rub off on his linemates. And not for the better. Laffy has certainly picked up some of his bad habits. Zibby should be a case study for how his overall game changed……..
Panarin had world class vision and hockey sense with a filthy pair of mitts as well. But he will never abandon his cross ice fancy passes and allergy to body contact even when It’s clear as day that it has a .0001 chance of working in tight meaningful big games…..
He and Zibby both add to their stats tremendously on the PP where they take the lions share of the time and benefit from the other team having a man less on the ice. It drives me up a wall.
It’s great you can score on a man advantage, but in the playoffs when the game is tighter, opposing teams PKs are better, and penalties overall take a dip in being called, you’re left with what exactly ????
Gutless p***yfied 5 V 5 play and high danger low chance offense….
It’s also obvious that winning 1v1 lose puck opportunities take a giant dip as well….
I rather sink or swim with Laffy getting the minutes and put him on millers wing at even strength and hope he mimics the style of a star player who has the skill+will combo opposed to skill vs will style Panarin has….. high end skill, but unwilling or unable to do what separates winning from losing in big time games at big time moments…..
What absolutely killed me was our last game against FLA in the conference finals last year. Guy is invisible and timid most of the series, and when the panthers drop the nail in the coffin and take the 2 goal lead, bread not only wins a loose puck battle, stick handles in a high danger area thru the middle of the ice,( where he never was all series long), and rips a filthy wrister under the bar to beat BOB.
He waited for the game to all but over before giving maximum effort and actually taking a chance by putting his body on the line to make a needed play with a minute left and 2 goals down?!?!
he was a ghost for the entire game and shows heart in the 58/59th minute after going down 2??
Overall, it wasn’t his worst playoff showing with the rangers either. But that entire sequence of events and the way it all played out just made me really sour on the type of player he is and style he has. My feelings now are the End of his deal can’t come soon enough.
Hes not a leader. In the room. He pretends to to speak any English.
Doesn’t really do any interviews or questions with reporters, when is the last time you heard him going out of his way to help a rookie? Take him under his wing and mentor him?? Be a role model??? Never. And never will. Just not type of guy he is…. That is fine. He doesn’t have to be because I want him to, but it’s also not the type of guy/vet player I want schooling my younger guys and teaching them his bad habits either.
Zibby is pretty similar in every metric.
Kreider at least does those things those other guys don’t. Even when he runs cold for stretches or just had a terrible year like he’s having now. Hes also getting on in years. But imo, for them length of his current contract, he still has gas in the tank due to how hard he trains and how he keeps his body.
As long as Artemi gets paid and keeps producing ( points wise) he’s good with that. If he can get a cup, great. But it’s obviously not a top priority to him.
I’m just done….
Panarin/KAM/Lindgren/vesey/smith
I want you all gone from this team.
Zibby too, but ain’t happening this year/offseason
Kreider, I love ya, but it’s time for you to go as well. I hope you get traded to a contender with a chance for you to hoist the cup on the remaining years of your current contract. You’ve been a class act and a great ranger since you steeped in the ice.
Cuylle/laf in top 6 min/situtations/ special teams….
Make way for Perrault. Give him an opportunity to make the big club in a top 9 role.
Sign or trade for a very good top pair D for Fox and make his life easier for a change
Get some youth/hunger injected in the line up with some smart vet signings that have leadership and can play
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