David_McDavid
Joined: Jul. 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
I feel the the core issue with the LW side is that James Neal is paid like a top 2 LW, but really is a 4th Line and PP specialist. Ennis looked more productive on LW with McDavid that Neal did.
I feel that McDavid needs to play with medium to high hockey IQ players:
1) one who will get him the puck and get to the dirty spots for tap in, screens, do the possession board work - and
2) another that is two-way minded with good speed, and good hands to work give and goes and get to the slot
Guys like Maroon, Chiasson, Kassian, Ennis have all had really good runs with McDavid. I find that the probably is that after a month or two, they forget what got them to the first line and try to become goal scorers instead of sticking to the grind formula. The only exception is Maroon who played pretty consistently and well throughout his time with McD.
100% agree with Miguel and CMJ that RNH/ Drai/ Yam need to be together. That was a poor decision by Tippett in the playoffs and a large reason for our lack of 5 on 5 production.
Guys, I will say that the one super intriguing LW/ RW on the market still is Mikael Granlund.
- Has had success in a top 6 role in Nashville playing with high end players.
- Can play a two way game
- Gets to the dirty spots
- Could be a good Finnish mentor for JP if Ennis goes to the topline and Granlund slides to the 3rd
Good post. Appreciate the dialogue as we wait to see what's next.
Ennis is ideally on the 3rd line for depth and to be the energy guy for Turris and JP, and Neal is ideally on the 4th. I feel that we still have a glaring hole at the 1LW spot.
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