Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan
It was one of those moments where a rookie looks completely over his head. Most of the team had trouble with the pressure from Montreal, but eventually they all responded to it. I thought Andersson was bad at times, but then he adjusted to the game and got better as it went on. The opposite could be said for Valimaki who crumbled under the pressure. The first time I've seen it from him.
It's just one of those nights in a raw rookie's career where they need to watch the game from up top and learn that way rather than continue to struggle on the ice. Remember, this is Valimaki's first season as a PROFESSIONAL. He hasn't had the seasoning time that Andersson has had in the AHL, and thus why Andersson looks a little more composed at times.
If I'm guessing, the game limit on his contract matters as well, and while he's been relatively good to start the year, it wouldn't shock me at all to see him go down to the AHL so his contract can slide another year. Andersson has looked better and better every game this year, so it might just be a situation where they can't afford to play two rookie defensemen night in and night out with all the errors that they make. Andersson isn't going to get much better in the AHL, but Valimaki likely will.
Sounds like it's a tough choice for the GM right now, so perhaps Valimaki gets a few more games to sort it out before they make a decision. I'm ok with carrying 8 defensemen in the short term.
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Interesting. Did not watch the Montreal game (thankfully) so cannot comment, but prior to that game that's completely the opposite of what I saw.
To my eyes Andersson looked slow, panic-y, quick to get the puck off his stick out of fear of making a mistake, where Valimaki looked like a composed veteran and, frankly, the 3rd/4th best dman on the club.
I think it comes down to right side/left side too. If Valimaki played on the right side I'd contend he would be a better fit to play with Gio.