One of the things I see as an issue with this team is that there are only two pure goal-scorers: Heatley and Iginla. And one of those two isn't being used as a goal-scorer... in fact was told they didn't need him to score goals.
Now, it would be foolish to downplay the scoring ability of the other forwards on the team, but I would argue that none of them are pure shooters. They are all playmakers, the kind of players that are the "straw that stirs the drink" on their NHL lines.
So with that said, players of Iginla's ilk are rare commodities on this team. Why would he not get a prominent role?
It boggles my mind.
Crosby - playmaker, with some goal-scoring ability, as shown this year
Nash - dangler, gets his goals in tight and getting around d-men
Iginla - shooter, puck-cycler
Heatley - pure shooter
Thornton - behind-the-net set-up man
Marleau - speedy, likes to carry the puck wide and set up cycle
Getzlaf - dangler, likes fancy dekes, has a good shot when he uses it
Perry - net-crasher with soft hands
Staal - puck-carrying centreman, has good shot
Morrow - grinder with good hands. Will score on tips and rebounds.
Bergeron - defensive forward? Plays similar to Staal for Boston.
Richards - kind of a Crosby/Morrow hybrid. Not much of a shooter though.
Toews - puck-carrying playmaker. Likes to cycle.
Seems like we have a lot of guys that like to have the puck on their stick. Too bad there's only one puck out there.
|