What does Lars Eller have to do?

[Deluded Puck]

He needs to be less of a tall Viking and more of a short Quebecois.

 

[Compile]

Well they're entitled to their opinion. I'm pretty sure if you ask Jarmo Kekalainen why he drafted Lars Eller in the first place, then he would have a lot of good things to say about him. Concerning Pierre McGuire, I don't think I've heard a good thing being said about Eller (well I've just started to listen to TSN690, so that's not a good sample).

If I remember correctly, Ferraro commented on TSN690 on Eller during that time when there was a debate between Eller and Desharnais. The question was: can Eller do the same or better than Desharnais if he was placed in his position. The thing I kept hearing was that the play dies on his stick, he makes bone head decisions, he doesn't have a high hockey IQ, he will never score 20 goals ... which are somewhat true when you look at some games he did play so far during his time with the Habs.

With that being said, the thing I absolutely hate is that they only focus on his or so to speak weak points. Who never made bone head decisions? If you carefully examine plays from any players, you can definitely find bone head decisions from anybody. From what I've seen from Eller, he was a monster in the playoffs this past season. He was our best player vs Ottawa before getting destroyed by Gryba.

Shame they don't mention that he's a great skater, strong on the puck, can play that great cycle game that is succesful in the playoffs, wins so many fricken battles (that other forwards on the team are not doing), that he's not afraid to go to the net and get punished by opposing defensemen, is becoming a monster on faceoffs (thanks to practicing vs Malhotra), that he's clutch (a huge majority of his goals have been important goals in tight games, especially with 4 GWG).

Anyways, like I said, everybody is entitled to their opinion. I'm happy with his play on the 3rd line because he's the best 3rd line C we had in the last ... 10 years? OK maybe not that far, 5 years then?

Ferraro actually likes Eller. His main complaint about him is consistency. In fact Ferraro does not like DD PR Pacio that much as he's old school were everyone on the roster was required to be capable in their own zone.

I don't get how people can claim he's not offensive when its the exact opposite. He may not put up 100 pts on a 1st line but he would put up 60-70 playing 18-20mins a game with PP time. He's our Kopitar (to a lesser extent because he's never been give more than 13 games to actually play an offensive role). Eller has the size, speed, determination, hands and shot to very successful.

Eller is also rubbing off on Prust and Sekac. Each game that goes by they are supporting each other better as seen by Eller's goal last night. Both Prust and Sekac went straight to the net when Eller had the puck. You win with guys like these 3 who don't give up on a play, and help their D to get the puck out of their zone.

Has no one noticed that this line has the fewest icings? Or the D actually play a hell of a lot better (with occasional brain cramps which are expected). Subban looks dead out there, on comes the 3rd line and poof he's awake. Same with when Galchenyuk is on the ice. Its like the team plays completely different.

With the other lines, it seems like the D are trying to drill the puck at teammates. I'm sorry but our 3rd line should be our 2nd. Our 1st line a 4th line exploitation line and our 2nd becomes the 1st.

 

[Rapala]

Good point on the Subban Eller fit.
They are part of the dark side clique forming on this team.
Neither like any of the coaches or the pandering...

 

[MXD]

The way i see it.....it's more Weise.

Maybe, I don't know, but there's no denying he had its two best shifts with PAP and some other winger named Tangradi or Weise.

I'd obviously like that experiment to continue on. Whether it's with Weise or Tangradi. Hell, even PAP is far from ideal with DD (I could definitely see Sekac; PAP fits well with Eller... in theory).

 

[MXD]

Well they're entitled to their opinion. I'm pretty sure if you ask Jarmo Kekalainen why he drafted Lars Eller in the first place, then he would have a lot of good things to say about him. Concerning Pierre McGuire, I don't think I've heard a good thing being said about Eller (well I've just started to listen to TSN690, so that's not a good sample).

If I remember correctly, Ferraro commented on TSN690 on Eller during that time when there was a debate between Eller and Desharnais. The question was: can Eller do the same or better than Desharnais if he was placed in his position. The thing I kept hearing was that the play dies on his stick, he makes bone head decisions, he doesn't have a high hockey IQ, he will never score 20 goals ... which are somewhat true when you look at some games he did play so far during his time with the Habs.

With that being said, the thing I absolutely hate is that they only focus on his or so to speak weak points. Who never made bone head decisions? If you carefully examine plays from any players, you can definitely find bone head decisions from anybody. From what I've seen from Eller, he was a monster in the playoffs this past season. He was our best player vs Ottawa before getting destroyed by Gryba.

Shame they don't mention that he's a great skater, strong on the puck, can play that great cycle game that is succesful in the playoffs, wins so many fricken battles (that other forwards on the team are not doing), that he's not afraid to go to the net and get punished by opposing defensemen, is becoming a monster on faceoffs (thanks to practicing vs Malhotra), that he's clutch (a huge majority of his goals have been important goals in tight games, especially with 4 GWG).

Anyways, like I said, everybody is entitled to their opinion. I'm happy with his play on the 3rd line because he's the best 3rd line C we had in the last ... 10 years? OK maybe not that far, 5 years then?

If we have a strong first line who can play reasonable 2-way hockey, then there's no reason why a 2A and 2B line couldn't be centered by Eller and DD (or DD and Eller -- order not relevant).

The problem lies with Plekanec just... IMO not being good enough to center that would-be elite 1st line. Plekanec is good, that's not the problem --- he's just not a player I like to see on a first line. Not that I like DD more, mind you.

 

[Rapala]

Maybe, I don't know, but there's no denying he had its two best shifts with PAP and some other winger named Tangradi or Weise.

I'd obviously like that experiment to continue on. Whether it's with Weise or Tangradi. Hell, even PAP is far from ideal with DD (I could definitely see Sekac; PAP fits well with Eller... in theory).

I saw DD as a 4th line poison pill similar to Briere.
His body could withstand fewer minutes better and perhaps exploit some of the weaker matchups.
This was contingent on us getting a replacment either internally or externally.
Once we signed MM that cut off that avenue. I have no idea what to expect.
My ire is slowly falling directly on Bergevin he knows we are fubarred as is.

 

[Draft]

I don't see why we wouldn't be promoting Lars as a go-to player. He's definitely got the right attitude and skillset for it. He wants the puck and he wants to control the flow of the game, give him a finisher and I think we'd see him "blossom".

Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Gallagher
Pacioretty-Eller-Sekac
Prust-Desharnais-Parenteau
Tangradi-Malhotra-Weise

I think a lineup like this would go a long ways to improving the productivity of Desharnais, Eller, Sekac, and maybe even Pacioretty. Desharnais struggles with being the go-to guy - play him against easier competition with a second line player. Eller wants to cycle the puck and take on a bigger role - play him with our top winger and a guy he's already got chemistry with. We want the rookies and Plekanec given offensive opportunities - play them on the top line.

 

[Scriptor]

I brought up earlier during the year when Eller was struggling with Bourque and Moen on his side that perhaps his "lack" of vision was due to the fact that he didn't trust his linemates.

The man is our best possession centre and he played with the worse players in the team. Now pair him with guys who constantly support him and have some actual skill, and you get 35-40 pts player with no PP time.

Perhaps that's as ridiculous as it sounds.

 

[DAChampion]

Eller's vision was hampered by Bourque.

I first noticed this several years ago. Eller would pass to Bourque and Bourque would fan. Eventually Eller stopped passing much.

 

[Habsawce]

I don't see why we wouldn't be promoting Lars as a go-to player. He's definitely got the right attitude and skillset for it. He wants the puck and he wants to control the flow of the game, give him a finisher and I think we'd see him "blossom".

Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Gallagher
Pacioretty-Eller-Sekac
Prust-Desharnais-Parenteau
Tangradi-Malhotra-Weise

I think a lineup like this would go a long ways to improving the productivity of Desharnais, Eller, Sekac, and maybe even Pacioretty. Desharnais struggles with being the go-to guy - play him against easier competition with a second line player. Eller wants to cycle the puck and take on a bigger role - play him with our top winger and a guy he's already got chemistry with. We want the rookies and Plekanec given offensive opportunities - play them on the top line.

Switch Galchenyuk and Pacioretty. Here's why; Pacioretty and Plekanec have incredible chemistry on the PK and having a selfless player like Gallagher to open up lanes for them would be very beneficial. Whereas, Galchenyuk with 2 big body possession guys really correlates to his skill set and east - west game controlling the puck. That 2nd line would be dominate down low, a real treat to watch.

 

[Hoople]

Let's put things into perspective shall we? This isn't even taking into account offensive zone starts, PP time and lack of PK time for Desharnais. This is just pathetic.

Last 11 Games

Eller - 7 points (0.64 points per game, 2.60 points per 60 minutes)

Plekanec - 8 points (0.73 points per game, 2.37 points per 60 minutes)

Galchenyuk - 7 points (0.64 points per game, 2.28 points per 60 minutes)

Desharnais - 6 points (0.55 points per game, 1.87 points per 60 minutes)

I'm sorry but I really don't understand how people can't see through this. DD just scrapes by even with all sheltering in the world. If he had Eller's playing time, line mates, competition, etc. I would be scared to see his point total.

You dont even realize how smart you are.

You stated the exact reason why DD plays where he does and Eller plays where he does.

The job description of a coach is to use his players where their strengths can be utilized and their weaknesses minimized.

Finally a DD basher who stated reality but did not realize he was validating DD's usage. Nice job.

 

[Habsawce]

You dont even realize how smart you are.

You stated the exact reason why DD plays where he does and Eller plays where he does.

The job description of a coach is to use his players where their strengths can be utilized and their weaknesses minimized.

Finally a DD basher who stated reality but did not realize he was validating DD's usage. Nice job.

Except if Desharnais was centering the 3rd line he still wouldn't be playing against top lines. We would just have the best wingers with Eller/Plekanec while they continued to play against the toughest competition.

 

[Hoople]

Another ******** "fan" when Eller scores a goal.

You guys were praising DD when he got his assists on a couple of Pacioretty's goal on similar plays.

Lars Eller is a Habs player and I was just as happy as you were when he scored that goal. Unlike some people, I dont get angry when a certain Habs player scores. I want them all to succeed.

The only point I was making was the absurdity of this thread pumping Eller's tires on a fluke goal as some way to bash you know who.

I hope Eller hits his all time highs for goals. We need his production just like we need production from everyone on this team.

 

[mus1cx]

You dont even realize how smart you are.

You stated the exact reason why DD plays where he does and Eller plays where he does.

The job description of a coach is to use his players where their strengths can be utilized and their weaknesses minimized.

Finally a DD basher who stated reality but did not realize he was validating DD's usage. Nice job.

Omg you don't realize how smart you are!!! Let's just passive aggressively compliment each other!!

So every other team is dumb for not playing their 4th best centre in first line duties/first line PP/no PK/80% ozone starts? Hm I wonder why Crosby and Malkin are on the first line then if they are such great players that can still produce on the 3rd or 4th. I wonder why their other centres aren't given some more opportunities to make them look better? So MT is the one true genius in the NHL that thought of this? No.

The amount that we gain from DD taking up all the opportunities is far less than the amount we lose by hindering our other 3 players. He's there because the MT likes him and because the French media wants a local player in an important role. And he needs all these opportunities to hold him up like crutches.

Why don't we do a bit of math here... If DD got moved to the 3rd line:
> Even if DD produced absolutely no goals, we would only be losing 2 pp goals and 0 5vs5 goals this year
> However, if he were moved there, I'm pretty sure the other centres would more than make up for his two measly pp goals

And I know you'd argue how he sets up Patches but I'm pretty sure Pleky, Chucky and Eller are more than capable. Heck even Weise has more assists on Patches.

 

[Corncob]

You dont even realize how smart you are.

You stated the exact reason why DD plays where he does and Eller plays where he does.

The job description of a coach is to use his players where their strengths can be utilized and their weaknesses minimized.

Finally a DD basher who stated reality but did not realize he was validating DD's usage. Nice job.

Err, what? If DD was putting up points with his powerplay time and linemates then you would have an argument.

I personally think DD would do an alright job on a third line that wasn't given too much hard defensive graft or tough match ups. But if he can't do that then that's an argument to bench him and hopefully get rid, not an argument to give him two and a half minutes powerplay time per game.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

You dont even realize how smart you are.

You stated the exact reason why DD plays where he does and Eller plays where he does.

The job description of a coach is to use his players where their strengths can be utilized and their weaknesses minimized.

Finally a DD basher who stated reality but did not realize he was validating DD's usage. Nice job.

...please explain to all us lower intellects how showing that Desharnais is our least productive centre validates his usage as our Top Line centre...is it because he'd be even less productive anywhere else??...so we should handcuff our lineup just to make sure Desharnais doesn't suck even worse??...how in the Blue Hell do you consider that validation??...that's a moronic arguement, Mr. Therrien...

 

[Seb]

He needs to do more of this and less of that

 

[Hoople]

Omg you don't realize how smart you are!!! Let's just passive aggressively compliment each other!!

So every other team is dumb for not playing their 4th best centre in first line duties/first line PP/no PK/80% ozone starts? Hm I wonder why Crosby and Malkin are on the first line then if they are such great players that can still produce on the 3rd or 4th. I wonder why their other centres aren't given some more opportunities to make them look better? So MT is the one true genius in the NHL that thought of this? No.

The amount that we gain from DD taking up all the opportunities is far less than the amount we lose by hindering our other 3 players. He's there because the MT likes him and because the French media wants a local player in an important role. And he needs all these opportunities to hold him up like crutches.

Forgive me for being a bit of a smart ass with the sarcasm. I grow tired of every single thread here being a DD bash. We get it. The Eller and Galchenyuk fanboys hate the guy. And it gets old being reminded of that.

I wish this team did not have DD. Ive stated that a thousand times. He is too damn small. Its frustrating watching teams like LA win Cups with a big physical team while the Habs are always icing small soft teams.

I dislike Therrien. His idea of systems and approach to the game is not that good. He continues to force the team to play the same points focus approach on the PP with limited success.
He refuses to have a forward in the crease in front of the goalie. His breakout approach is disorganized. I would love to see him resign.

With that said, hockey is not a zero sum game. There are no quotas for goals. Eller has a dynamic forward on one side and another forward capable of creating space. Prust was the reason Eller scored that goal because he did the dirty work maintaining puck possession.

Galchenyuk has a very good Center with Pleks and a winger who will fight in the dirty areas.

That is not DD holding them back.

No, it is Therriens approach to hockey. If/when there is a Habs player in the slot, they are static. They are simply standing there. That is a fool's approach. High scoring teams are constantly moving players in and out of the slot looking for that small space to take a pass and fire a quick shot from a prime scoring area.

Instead, the Habs play the perimeter game, shooting pucks that are easily stopped.

There are a lot of issues that will prevent the Habs from winning a Cup. They transcend and surpass tiny little David Desharnais.

 

[Rosso Scuderia]

Lars Eller is a Habs player and I was just as happy as you were when he scored that goal. Unlike some people, I dont get angry when a certain Habs player scores. I want them all to succeed.

The only point I was making was the absurdity of this thread pumping Eller's tires on a fluke goal as some way to bash you know who.

I hope Eller hits his all time highs for goals. We need his production just like we need production from everyone on this team.

Who pumped Eller's tire?

I've read the thread and the only overreaction is your post about the overreaction on Eller's goal.

The OP sarcastically (or not) asked if Eller played today and someone answered he scored a goal. How is that pumping Eller's tire?

A goal is a goal. He has now 7 this season, all at even strength. 4 of them being goal winners. Those are stats that has an impact on a team success, especially for a 3rd line player. Eller is having a pretty good season as a third liner despite playing the first 13 games scoreless wingers. So even if he gets some praised after a lucky goal, he doesn't deserved the sarcastic post he got in this thread.

 

[Doc McKenna]

Who pumped Eller's tire?

I've read the thread and the only overreaction is your post about the overreaction on Eller's goal.

The OP sarcastically (or not) asked if Eller played today and someone answered he scored a goal. How is that pumping Eller's tire?

A goal is a goal. He has now 7 this season, all at even strength. 4 of them being goal winners. Those are stats that has an impact on a team success, especially for a 3rd line player. Eller is having a pretty good season as a third liner despite playing the first 13 games scoreless wingers. So even if he gets some praised after a lucky goal, he doesn't deserved the sarcastic post he got in this thread.

While we have no way of predicted how well he would have played if bork had been removed before the start of the season or even if sekac had not been benched for 7 games we can most definitely say Eller and his linemates would likely had 3 or four more points even if it was dale mother****ing weise and sekac all year.

 

[Skip Bayless]

 

[HShahzad]

First of all, DD play's with our best winger. Dale Weise is producing at a better pace then DD...
I want to see Max Pacioretty - Lars Eller - Jiri Sekac.

 

[Lions999]

Wonder if he changed his mind yet...

 

[JayKing]

I don't think Eller has the vision it takes to be a top 6 player. He doesn't have the ability to make other players around him better. He fits perfectly in the role he's currently in. Maybe a bit more powerplay time but that's about it.

 

[HabsFan76]

I don't think Eller has the vision it takes to be a top 6 player. He doesn't have the ability to make other players around him better. He fits perfectly in the role he's currently in. Maybe a bit more powerplay time but that's about it.

To be honest, Eller's vision is one of his more underrated aspects of his game. He's good at distributing pucks back to the point and is decent at at finding an open player when his line cycles the puck along the boards.

Agreed with the bolded. He's fit in well on the 3rd line so far, let him dominate on this line and get his groove back. I do think that with powerplay time his offensive game will come back to the level he had from the lockout shortened season, which will be huge for the Habs.