Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski
Good points and questions:
-Mangiapane is a very good skater. Not heavy or powerful but fast and agile.
-It’s about moving the puck fast not necessarily the skaters being ultra fast (Tkachuk) although that helps but CGY does have those kind of guys: Mangiapane, Dube then a bunch of above average guys Lindholm, Bennett etc.
-Gaudreau has not performed to his abilities. I think he needs to play with someone who can demand the puck from him and execute the responsibilities of carrying it. In the current lineup I would try having Backlund centre the line. The centre should have the most touches but Gaudreau has been the guy they just give it to. Backlund at centre would give him a give and go guy line mate. I love Monahan as well. CGY does not use its centres well. Especially under Ward (harkening to Gulutzan) The centres don’t get the puck in the pocket. CGY going D to D then up to winger for chip. Play puck possession.
-Gaudreau even in a down year consistently creates plays out if nothing. Yes he hasn’t done it to same level and yes he has turned pucks over but he is still creating plays. He needs help with line mates but I agree he has to help himself with his mental approach- he needs both.
-I don’t think Gaudreau has been at his best (partially for above) but I don’t think he has been as bad as people are suggesting.
Gaudreau has abilities that maybe a handful of players in the world have. I think there is a tendency to just give him the puck all the time. Line mates (centre) needs to distribute that burden.
Generally I think He needs to be better but so does the team (transition plays, coverage, exits playing aggressively to get the confidence.
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Mangipane is a pretty bad skater. Don't know where you get that he is a good skater.