The Panarin - Strome problem

[CupSeeker]

Laf should be on PP1 though. I agree though about Kakko, he has sucked.

Kakko hasn't sucked. But nothing will stop you from saying it EVERY DAY.

 

[kovazub94]

This is a big problem. It seems they do best when they have a speedy 4th line grinder to do all of their dirty work. However, that is not good for guys like Kakko, Kravtsov, and Gaut. Personally, I put this at Strome's feet more than anything since Panarin engages on the boards. Regardless, this is a problem that needs to be addressed. Yes, they are doing well and scoring, but it is ultimately hurting the long-term benefit of the team. Not seeing Strome as a guy you go to war with in the playoffs. Kakko can easily be a give and go companion to Bread, but not if Strome is filling that and they are expecting Kakko to just be their grinding defensive conscience.

Also, why on Earth do they have Strome on the PP on that side? Putting a righty over there is useless. Can't one-time from there at all. Other teams give up the space on that side since they know he isn't dangerous in that spot. They need to get Laf or Kakko out there on that side if they want to have Buch's experience on the second unit.

I disagree with the premise that it's a "problem" since someone who should've been slotted there based on talent & cap hit can help improve the depth by being slotted away from Panarin - Strome, i.e. on Chytil line.

Second, I also don't think that blue-collar type player could only work there. If Buchnevich didn't have such a good chemistry with Zibanejad (or needed to stay there to have some kind of offense out of first line) I'm sure he'd be able to keep up with Panarin - Strome combo just fine. If things continue as they've going so far it's likely Kravtsov should get his chance there, maybe not right away but after having some NHL games under his belt.

 

[kovazub94]

Gonna get heat for this, Kakko lost his spot in the Top 6 rightfully so. He has had these flashes but hasn’t looked good overall. Lafreniere is in the same boat but has been slightly better, and he is a 19 yo rookie so give him slack.

You cannot break up KZB who has been red hot, and the Strome and Panarin connection is magic right now, if they need a more gritty type forward to make them better so be it. Kakko has not looked good up there with them.

I feel people are forcing guys like Kakko, Lafreniere into the Top 6 and more mins but when other players are outperforming them, shouldn’t be upset if they are getting less ice time. That’s just how it goes. If the team is struggling to score, well that’s another thing.

Shouldn't get the heat. It's not like Howden is being slotted there (and he would continue to produce nothing offensively there too). Blackwell has been a pleasant surprise so there should be no reason to remove him before he turns into pumpkin but we've waited for it and it hasn't happened yet.