Quote:
Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache
I notice you prefer to talk about Lindholm and ignore the Mang situation. He did nothing for a solid 10 games to earn anything, but they had patience and gave him stability with good linemates.
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Not true. Mangiapane has always had terrific situational awareness. He's good with the puck and without. Before he got "his chance," he was demonstrating that awareness on the 4th line. He knows where to be and when cycles well and know how to keep the play alive. When he's not being effective with the puck, he can grind it out and be useful without it.
In other words, Mangiapane has always had some kind of positive effect on his line even if it's not always on the scoresheet. He earned it.
Sam's different. It's not from lack of effort. It's lack of ability. Plays die on his stick. He tries to drive the net and turns it over. He doesn't make good decisions with the puck, and doesn't seem to know where to go without the puck. He digs around in the corner with no clear plan of what to do if he gets it. He can be a bull in a china shop with some hits, but he's just as random as any bull.
They're not remotely comparable players. Mangiapane passed Sam by a while ago and never looked back.