The Ubiquitous Top 6 Search

Bottom line is that until we have a REAL option for a 2nd line centre Fisher won't play the wing. Bring in a 2nd line centre and then I think you'll see how good Fish is on the wing, but without a guy that likes to hold on to the puck it is a waste to move him over.

I believe Regin is that guy.

asq2 wrote:I believe Regin is that guy.

I think Regin will be that guy. Not right now though, at least not going into the season.

Neely4Life wrote:

asq2 wrote:I believe Regin is that guy.

I think Regin will be that guy. Not right now though, at least not going into the season.

True (weren't we in a discussion recently where these opinions were reversed?). But although Regin can function as a checker, I think he'd be best off in an offensive role, and Lord knows we don't have the depth to create three scoring lines.

That leaves Fisher either as third-line centre (which I think is most natural, and which he's DAMN good at) or a winger on one of the top two lines.

I think Regin will be that guy, but you cant just give it to him either... Sens have made that mistake already, a few times honestly.

Im of the opinion you have to earn that spot, and right now, Fisher more or less has.

Neely4Life wrote:I think Regin will be that guy, but you cant just give it to him either... Sens have made that mistake already, a few times honestly.

Im of the opinion you have to earn that spot, and right now, Fisher more or less has.

I agree with most of your post, but I think that comment can be used to directly contradict what you have in bold. I don't think Fisher has earned it. He's earned a lot of playing time, but it's the contract he's been given that's forced the team to try to make him look like a scorer/points producer rather than the checker/defensive presence extraordinaire that he is and that we all love.

I think Fisher, as a Senator, has earned that number 2 spot, be it because there is no one else there, or he is good enough to be that guy right now.

I think Fisher had a little extra pressure on him last year with that new contract and his production suffered with that and the lack of a training camp. (his effort was always there though). I think very highly of Fisher and think he can very well be a 50 point guy which is just fine as a 2nd line center who works the PK and PP. Thats just me though, others wont share that opinion.

Fisher IMO has earned everything he has recieved. I would love to see him in Vancouver next Feb.

I'm not saying that Fisher has not worked and has not earned. He is a very valuable player. I just don't believe he is a top-6er. He's a damn good checking centre.

It's not just the 50 points for me (or lack thereof). It's the extreme inconsistency in his production.

I dunno, he tends to show up when it matters in my eyes. Again, Im a bit bias here because I think so highly of him. I think he is DEF a top 6er, but on the wing. 2nd line center, I think he can be, but again, its on him to show he is one, shut people up so to speak.

Even when he doesnt produce, he helps the team in other ways and thats what I really look for. Look at Datsyuk, hasnt scored in 11 games and he might be one of the best players on the ice night in, and night out. Amazing watching that guy without the puck, he just gets it. Im not comparing the two obviously, but just how they help the team outside of on the score board.

Neely4Life wrote:I dunno, he tends to show up when it matters in my eyes. Again, Im a bit bias here because I think so highly of him. I think he is DEF a top 6er, but on the wing. 2nd line center, I think he can be, but again, its on him to show he is one, shut people up so to speak.

Even when he doesnt produce, he helps the team in other ways and thats what I really look for. Look at Datsyuk, hasnt scored in 11 games and he might be one of the best players on the ice night in, and night out. Amazing watching that guy without the puck, he just gets it. Im not comparing the two obviously, but just how they help the team outside of on the score board.

True, but the difference is that while this is out of the norm for Datsyuk, these kinds of cold streaks are all too evident in Fisher's game. Datsyuk's a great player in facets other than offence, but if he production was always like Fisher's, he wouldn't be on one of the top two lines.

Datsyuk is on anther level, no doubt, again, not comapring the two. I think though, Fisher can be effective as a 2nd line player and his best days are very much ahead of him. If he starts getting some bounces, I think you will see him as a 2nd line player. Buuuuut again, thats just me.

I have no problem with Fisher playing top-six. I think he *is* without a doubt a top-six forward. I just don't think he should be playing centre. For one, he sucks at face offs. For another, he really does not have the creativity.

wprager wrote:I have no problem with Fisher playing top-six. I think he *is* without a doubt a top-six forward. I just don't think he should be playing centre. For one, he sucks at face offs. For another, he really does not have the creativity.

They should put him on the point with the stick he uses at the skills competition

Another good point. With that shot he has someone else should be feeding *him* the puck.

wprager wrote:Another good point. With that shot he has someone else should be feeding *him* the puck.

Yeah, Spezza. Then Alfie can take his rightful position next to Regin on line 2.

The thing I find about Fisher is that he's incredibly north/south, up and down the boards - and this can lead to issues with his wingers getting caught out of position when they zig zag. When Fish was at his peak (as far as I remember), Schaefer was one of his wingers and the other was Comrie/Havlat. We don't have a Havlat, but Shannon is the type of guy who can get back into the defensive play very, very quickly. Foligno is the board presence/net drive, so it allows Fisher to play his north/south and not have to worry so much about a turnover costing a goal.

There's a give and take to Mike Fisher, you have to find the right linemates for him and he'll be very effective for you. Shannon and Foligno are excellent linemates. Shannon with his speed and board work, Foligno with his net drive - both are centers by trade as well.

We could and should move Fisher to the wing, but at this point, we've sort of found the ying to his yang. Perhaps we leave the FFS line intact and see if Regin can handle centering line 3 with Kelly and whoever.

Bottom line for me personally, there will be frustrations over Fisher's inconsistency, but given the linemates that he was successful with over the course of a full year - and I think they will prop him up - and vice versa.

I'm interested to see if that line is kept together and how it does over the course of next season. Here's your Positive spin a la Clutchie:

1 - Fisher will likely be healthy and enjoy a full off season training regimin combined with a full training camp and pre-season which should see him perform better.

2 - Foligno hit his stride under Clouston and should be given more and more of a roll this coming season. I expect a break out year for him which Fish can only benefit from.

3 - Shannon - The little engine that could. Clouston knows what he's capable of and will also likely get more of a roll and should flourish with a full off season and training camp under the Clouston led Sens.

Just keep Fish away from Tony Greco. His training model is based on Football players and does not translate well for hockey players.

There's no way a guy in Fisher's condition and at his age gets to training camp and pulls a groin in the first week. That simply must not happen.