Hartsburg does line shuffle... AGAIN

mattbond wrote:

smash88 wrote:
Yeah I agree... It'd the energy that guy brings... He'll create goals for others around him...

His not "lighting it up" doesn't bother me in the slightest. We say that he could be effective at the NHL level, and points didn't factor into that at all.

Sorry, guys, but I was responding to the sentiment that Winchester is not impressive because he is not generating points. Maybe I did not respond to the right post, but please don't tell me that this discussion had not turned to "lighting it up". It did, Wichester was (mildly) slammed by at least one of you for not producing, and Bass's names was brought up in contrast.

I've been basing my opinions on Winchester by his play. When he's on the ice, I notice him. He has outstanding puck possession skills, and makes good crisp passes. I've loved his work ethic, (most notably seeing him go screaming in on the forecheck like a bat out of hell!), and getting back defensively.

Not to mention his contract is a bargain. I understand his point production may not be that impressive at this point, but this guy hasn't played 10 games in the league yet.

I say give the kid a break!!

Not to mention that he's been put in the third line checking or 4th line grinding role as well. I'm liking what I'm seeing so far and I will wait to see if he hits a wall after say game 40 or so when he's played more games in a small stretch then he normally does in a year.

Yeah, that happened to Niklas Backstrom (WAS) one year. The length of the season really hit him hard.

wprager wrote:

mattbond wrote:

smash88 wrote:
Yeah I agree... It'd the energy that guy brings... He'll create goals for others around him...

His not "lighting it up" doesn't bother me in the slightest. We say that he could be effective at the NHL level, and points didn't factor into that at all.

Sorry, guys, but I was responding to the sentiment that Winchester is not impressive because he is not generating points. Maybe I did not respond to the right post, but please don't tell me that this discussion had not turned to "lighting it up". It did, Wichester was (mildly) slammed by at least one of you for not producing, and Bass's names was brought up in contrast.

That would have been me... All I mean is i'd rather have Bass in our lineup on the 4th line banging it up and causing havoc than having Winchester back there.. Winchester may be good and all but for what he brings I just think Cody Bass could do a better job...

I don't know I may eat my words, but I really don't get all the hype with Winchester, IMO he really has not looked that special out there, his work ethic may be good, but that only gets you so far...

Looking around the league at some of the other team's third/fourth liners, I'd take him in a heartbeat!!

Even our own fourth line, would you rather have Winchester, or Lapointe/Robitaille!! No contest.

If Bass were to be called up, I don't even think Winchester is the first man that gets the cut.

mattshock wrote:Looking around the league at some of the other team's third/fourth liners, I'd take him in a heartbeat!!

Even our own fourth line, would you rather have Winchester, or Lapointe/Robitaille!! No contest.

If Bass were to be called up, I don't even think Winchester is the first man that gets the cut.

Well yeah, i'd rather have Winchester than those two, but that's not what I'm saying... I'm not saying that Winchester is no good, all I am saying is that I think Bass would do a better job on the 4th line than Winchester would...

smash88 wrote:

mattshock wrote:Looking around the league at some of the other team's third/fourth liners, I'd take him in a heartbeat!!

Even our own fourth line, would you rather have Winchester, or Lapointe/Robitaille!! No contest.

If Bass were to be called up, I don't even think Winchester is the first man that gets the cut.

Well yeah, i'd rather have Winchester than those two, but that's not what I'm saying... I'm not saying that Winchester is no good, all I am saying is that I think Bass would do a better job on the 4th line than Winchester would...

I think you're assessing this kid far too quickly.

PKC wrote:

smash88 wrote:

mattshock wrote:Looking around the league at some of the other team's third/fourth liners, I'd take him in a heartbeat!!

Even our own fourth line, would you rather have Winchester, or Lapointe/Robitaille!! No contest.

If Bass were to be called up, I don't even think Winchester is the first man that gets the cut.

Well yeah, i'd rather have Winchester than those two, but that's not what I'm saying... I'm not saying that Winchester is no good, all I am saying is that I think Bass would do a better job on the 4th line than Winchester would...

I think you're assessing this kid far too quickly.

Maybe so... but he is on the 4th line... I don't think they envisioned Winchester on the 4th line... Clearly he hasn't been living up to expectations... I don't think I am out of line in my thinking...

PKC wrote:

smash88 wrote:

mattshock wrote:Looking around the league at some of the other team's third/fourth liners, I'd take him in a heartbeat!!

Even our own fourth line, would you rather have Winchester, or Lapointe/Robitaille!! No contest.

If Bass were to be called up, I don't even think Winchester is the first man that gets the cut.

Well yeah, i'd rather have Winchester than those two, but that's not what I'm saying... I'm not saying that Winchester is no good, all I am saying is that I think Bass would do a better job on the 4th line than Winchester would...

I think you're assessing this kid far too quickly.

Exactly. How much offence can we reasonably expect from Winchester on the fourth line. He's great on the boards and the forecheck, and should be a good fit with Donovan and McAmmond until he's a little more comfortable with the NHL game. Once he is, then he should be moved up. This also allows us to play Ruutu somewhere other than the fourth line. Ruutu needs more than 5 minutes a game to be effective as an agitator.

smash88 wrote:

PKC wrote:

smash88 wrote:

mattshock wrote:Looking around the league at some of the other team's third/fourth liners, I'd take him in a heartbeat!!

Even our own fourth line, would you rather have Winchester, or Lapointe/Robitaille!! No contest.

If Bass were to be called up, I don't even think Winchester is the first man that gets the cut.

Well yeah, i'd rather have Winchester than those two, but that's not what I'm saying... I'm not saying that Winchester is no good, all I am saying is that I think Bass would do a better job on the 4th line than Winchester would...

I think you're assessing this kid far too quickly.

Maybe so... but he is on the 4th line... I don't think they envisioned Winchester on the 4th line... Clearly he hasn't been living up to expectations... I don't think I am out of line in my thinking...

We also have a few guys extra kicking around. Not to mention it wouldn't make sense to bury a guy like Mike Fisher or Antoine Vermette despite their scoring struggles. It'll all work itself out soon enough. I still see Winchester in the top 6 like I said earlier, he just needs to get used to the NHL game a bit. I said him and Foligno should start producing more often after the 20-30 game mark.

I like that we have 3rd/4th liners we can move up/down as we please. Yes, I'd love to have Bass up here and what he brings, but he'll get his chance.

We're one Fisher injury away from that happening.

I think Ruutu should be on the 3rd line, because as Hemlock said, for him to be truly effective, he needs WAY more than 5 mins of ice time.

PKC wrote:

smash88 wrote:

PKC wrote:

smash88 wrote:

mattshock wrote:Looking around the league at some of the other team's third/fourth liners, I'd take him in a heartbeat!!

Even our own fourth line, would you rather have Winchester, or Lapointe/Robitaille!! No contest.

If Bass were to be called up, I don't even think Winchester is the first man that gets the cut.

Well yeah, i'd rather have Winchester than those two, but that's not what I'm saying... I'm not saying that Winchester is no good, all I am saying is that I think Bass would do a better job on the 4th line than Winchester would...

I think you're assessing this kid far too quickly.

Maybe so... but he is on the 4th line... I don't think they envisioned Winchester on the 4th line... Clearly he hasn't been living up to expectations... I don't think I am out of line in my thinking...

We also have a few guys extra kicking around. Not to mention it wouldn't make sense to bury a guy like Mike Fisher or Antoine Vermette despite their scoring struggles. It'll all work itself out soon enough. I still see Winchester in the top 6 like I said earlier, he just needs to get used to the NHL game a bit. I said him and Foligno should start producing more often after the 20-30 game mark.

yeah, I guess I just don't see where all the love for Winchester comes from... I had never even heard of the guy before this season, and now he's expected to be one of our top 6 forwards... Can't blame me for being skeptical... He hasn't exactly proved anything for me.... But hey that's my opinion, seems like others here have seen him play before or know what he is capable of, so I guess i'll leave it be till later in the year... i'll give him a chance...

mattshock wrote:I like that we have 3rd/4th liners we can move up/down as we please. Yes, I'd love to have Bass up here and what he brings, but he'll get his chance.

We're one Fisher injury away from that happening.

Honestly, I think I'd like to see Zach Smith called up before Bass. Smith has more offensive potential than Bass does in additional to bringing a similar game. Smith led him team (Broncos) last year in scoring so he's got some touch. There will be a time and place for Bass though. Donovan and McAmmond could very well be gone next season.

Cronenbergfan wrote:I think Ruutu should be on the 3rd line, because as Hemlock said, for him to be truly effective, he needs WAY more than 5 mins of ice time.

Well said. I'd much prefer to see Ruutu in the third line checking role pissing off the other teams top players. :D

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

Cronenbergfan wrote:I think Ruutu should be on the 3rd line, because as Hemlock said, for him to be truly effective, he needs WAY more than 5 mins of ice time.

Well said. I'd much prefer to see Ruutu in the third line checking role pissing off the other teams top players. :D

Ruutu - Fisher - Neil

makes me giggle with glee.

Yeah. That line looked good in it's limited time together. I think they should put those guys together in starting lineups against teams like Anaheim etc... Make the team pay a price on the first shift :D