The Zuccarello Appreciation Thread (Videos inside)

[mrmovies779]

Theres a huge difference between bouncing around a couple leagues and playing a full season in the NHL

 

[mrmovies779]

He came from Russia and he was just in fine physical shape then. The NHL isnt some special physical beastleague where players are bigger and meaner than in any other league.

He can finish this season, and the playoffs, in stride.

Legit question though: Why is there even a question raised about wether or not his physical state will be sufficient for a full NHL season ? I dont see the same question being raised for other AHL recruits.

The NHL is much different then other leagues and play a much more physical game as opposed to a more wide open game that other leagues with there bigger ice surfaces play.

To answer your question: Probably because he has yet to do it and hes not exactly the biggest guy in the ice when he does play.Doesnt mean he wont be able to play an entire season and the playoffs,but it is a concern and a question that still needs to be answered.

 

[Idlerlee]

That still makes absolutely no sense to me :p If anything the question should be concerning the mental bit, physically there is nothing new here.

We'll see at the end of the season who's right I suppose

 

[mrmovies779]

That still makes absolutely no sense to me :p If anything the question should be concerning the mental bit, physically there is nothing new here.

We'll see at the end of the season who's right I suppose

It makes no sense to you because you aren't being objective

Its not about being right or wrong either.Its a legit question that does need to be answered

 

[Placid]

It makes no sense to you because you aren't being objective

Its not about being right or wrong either.Its a legit question that does need to be answered

But it cannot be answered until he gets the chance to try, he hasnt really gotten that (some yoyo'ing between the Rangers and the Whale, and a couple of injuries). This season is really the first "proper" opportunity he has.

I also find the very question quite stupid in all honesty, for one simple reason. He has played professional hockey (outside of Norway) since 2008, so its not like he is new to the hardships of a long punishing season.

I've not seen the same question you ask posed at people like Miller, Kreider, etc etc.. so i also find the question very selective (if it has been asked, then my apologies, i must have missed it).

Will Zuke have ups and downs during this season ? Most definitely, everyone has. The difference is that when it say... happens to Cally, nobody really says a word. If it happens to Hags, nobody says a word.. If Zuke now goes 3 games again without a point, you'll see a ton of guys screaming for blood, the usual suspects will be back to how he is a small, soft nobody who will never amount to anything, and so on. This is regardless of what he is actually doing on the ice. If he doesnt produce points, quite a few people want him gone.

And that is about as objective as i can make it

 

[Ilovemymum]

Theres a huge difference between bouncing around a couple leagues and playing a full season in the NHL

He wasn't excactly boucing aroung a couple of random leages. It was spilt between NHL and AHL in 2010 / 11 - and the AHL must at times be equally straining as the NHL, especially since they travel much less comfortably and he logged very high minutes down there. As for the international part, that was the Olympics (not just any given league) and the third was KHL, the 2nd best League in the world, for one of the top clubs. Agree that we can put a questionmark on everything he hasn't done yet, but it's not like this is Zuke specific. We know now that he can also play PK at this level, so that's another check.

 

[Cake or Death]

It makes no sense to you because you aren't being objective

Its not about being right or wrong either.Its a legit question that does need to be answered

If you keep bringing his size into play and questioning his durability on that factor, I'd say you're the one not being too objective. What on earth does height or weight have to do with injuries or missing time? Poor conditioning removed, injuries tend to be pretty random. But size-specific? I have never once seen that. Callahan, Staal, Nash have missed a lot of time... is it cuz Staal and Nash are so short?

 

[Dagh]

... is it cuz Staal and Nash are so short?

No, they're too tall. They're on the opposite, but equally wrong, end of the scale. There's a narrow band of a few inches where a hockey player is near invincible. If you're shorter, you'll get pummeled, if you're taller, the distance you fall when hit is going to shatter your bones.

 

[mrmovies779]

But it cannot be answered until he gets the chance to try, he hasnt really gotten that (some yoyo'ing between the Rangers and the Whale, and a couple of injuries). This season is really the first "proper" opportunity he has.

I also find the very question quite stupid in all honesty, for one simple reason. He has played professional hockey (outside of Norway) since 2008, so its not like he is new to the hardships of a long punishing season.

I've not seen the same question you ask posed at people like Miller, Kreider, etc etc.. so i also find the question very selective (if it has been asked, then my apologies, i must have missed it).

Will Zuke have ups and downs during this season ? Most definitely, everyone has. The difference is that when it say... happens to Cally, nobody really says a word. If it happens to Hags, nobody says a word.. If Zuke now goes 3 games again without a point, you'll see a ton of guys screaming for blood, the usual suspects will be back to how he is a small, soft nobody who will never amount to anything, and so on. This is regardless of what he is actually doing on the ice. If he doesnt produce points, quite a few people want him gone.

And that is about as objective as i can make it

It's not a stupid question and its a legit question that has to be answered.I understand the Zuc fanboys don't like anything about him being questioned,but it is what it is.Him bouncing back and forth between the AHL and NHL isn't the same as playing an entire season in the NHL.

Nobody knows if his body can handle a full 82 games and playoffs yet its a dumb question

Go figure

 

[mrmovies779]

If you keep bringing his size into play and questioning his durability on that factor, I'd say you're the one not being too objective. What on earth does height or weight have to do with injuries or missing time? Poor conditioning removed, injuries tend to be pretty random. But size-specific? I have never once seen that. Callahan, Staal, Nash have missed a lot of time... is it cuz Staal and Nash are so short?

That's such a dumb analogy.Not even close to being in the same ballpark.Not even sure why I replied to it

 

[OldRanger]

No, they're too tall. They're on the opposite, but equally wrong, end of the scale. There's a narrow band of a few inches where a hockey player is near invincible. If you're shorter, you'll get pummeled, if you're taller, the distance you fall when hit is going to shatter your bones.

Hehe, you are fantastic.

Too much reasoning in this thread. I just want him gone, for obvious reasons:

 

[usernamesteph]

if zucc was taller he wouldnt have broken his wrist blocking a slapshot

 

[Pistachio]

if zucc was taller he wouldnt have broken his wrist blocking a slapshot

If Staal was shorter, he wouldn't have gotten the puck in the face....

 

[Placid]

It's not a stupid question and its a legit question that has to be answered.

And as i said initially, there is only one way to get the answer to that.

I understand the Zuc fanboys don't like anything about him being questioned,but it is what it is.

ah yes, of course now i am a fanboy. Then again, i am Norwegian, so thats already a given, right

Him bouncing back and forth between the AHL and NHL isn't the same as playing an entire season in the NHL.

Nor have i ever said that it was.

Nobody knows if his body can handle a full 82 games and playoffs yet its a dumb question

Yes, its a dumb question, because he is being singled out. If its a general concern, for people like Kreider, Miller, Kristo, Fast, etc etc, then its fine. But for some reason, nobody asks that about anyone else. Asking it about Zuke exclusively leaves you with an agenda that in all likelihood has nothing at all to do with how many games he can play.

Then again, its only to look at your posting history to see that

 

[Khelvan]

It's not a stupid question and its a legit question that has to be answered.I understand the Zuc fanboys don't like anything about him being questioned,but it is what it is.Him bouncing back and forth between the AHL and NHL isn't the same as playing an entire season in the NHL.

Nobody knows if his body can handle a full 82 games and playoffs yet its a dumb question

Go figure

It isn't a legit question, unless you can show some correlation between height and being injury-prone. So far, you haven't, so the question is based on an invalid assumption.

 

[Ilovemymum]

Think it is more legit to ask that question about the kids coming out of the NCAA (Hagelin & Kreider). Not that there are any signs they would have a any problem with a full season, but they are used to playing half as many games.

 

[mrmovies779]

It isn't a legit question, unless you can show some correlation between height and being injury-prone. So far, you haven't, so the question is based on an invalid assumption.

It's not an assumption to wonder if a guy in his 4th season can finally play a full season.Thats a concern,not an assumption.Nowhere did I bring up injuries or height anywhere,you're reaching for straws there

Regardless of whats happened so far in his NHL career,he has yet to play a full season and playoffs.It's really not hard to understand why some wonder if he can take the wear and tear in this league over a full season.

Then again,judging by some of the responses in this thread,i guess maybe it is too hard.

 

[mrmovies779]

And as i said initially, there is only one way to get the answer to that.


ah yes, of course now i am a fanboy. Then again, i am Norwegian, so thats already a given, right


Nor have i ever said that it was.


Yes, its a dumb question, because he is being singled out. If its a general concern, for people like Kreider, Miller, Kristo, Fast, etc etc, then its fine. But for some reason, nobody asks that about anyone else. Asking it about Zuke exclusively leaves you with an agenda that in all likelihood has nothing at all to do with how many games he can play.

Then again, its only to look at your posting history to see that

Its his 4th NHL season,regardless of injuries send downs,he hasn't yet put up a full season.Thats not singling out a player,thats wondering if his body can hold up over an entire season plus the playoffs.

No agenda here,just a concern.

Try and troll harder next time.I'm sure you can do better

 

[Wolfy*]

It's dangerous for a big guy to hit Zucc because you can hit the head which is illegal and can cause a suspension. So he actually has an advantage there, they'll probably leave him alone. Nothing wrong with his speed and strength.

 

[Dagh]

Its his 4th NHL season,regardless of injuries send downs,he hasn't yet put up a full season.Thats not singling out a player,thats wondering if his body can hold up over an entire season plus the playoffs.

No agenda here,just a concern.

What people are saying here is that they doubt that you air this concern for players of normal height.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If Staal was shorter, he wouldn't have gotten the puck in the face....

If Lundqvist was fat he would have more shut outs

 

[Rangers ftw]

It's not a stupid question and its a legit question that has to be answered.I understand the Zuc fanboys don't like anything about him being questioned,but it is what it is.Him bouncing back and forth between the AHL and NHL isn't the same as playing an entire season in the NHL.

Nobody knows if his body can handle a full 82 games and playoffs yet its a dumb question

Go figure

The question is irrelevant because it is a question that could/should be asked about every player going into their first full NHL season. Do you ask the same question about Kreider/Hagelin/Miller/J.Moore/Fast in any thread btw?

 

[Miller Time NYR]

Came in here for a good laugh, got it...thanks guys.

Does AV being a couple inches taller than torts give us a better or worse chance of winning a cup this year

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I'd love to see someone provide a split of Zuccarello's NHL production vs. playoff teams and non-playoff teams.

My assumption is you'd see a spike in production vs. the poorer teams in the league. Sort of a microcosm of this mediocre squad in general.

 

[Idlerlee]

I'd love to see someone provide a split of Zuccarello's NHL production vs. playoff teams and non-playoff teams.

My assumption is you'd see a spike in production vs. the poorer teams in the league. Sort of a microcosm of this mediocre squad in general.

I'm willing to bet you a car that this statistic is true for every single player in the NHL, with the usual exceptions that level out the average based on coinscidences.