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Originally Posted by Burning Beard
Guy can only blame himself and his lack of engagement in my opinion. His whole career he has been known to disappear at times and once again he has been doing it. If anything maybe he should be frustrated looking in the mirror.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
Yep Sutter has shown total willingness to play Ruzicka and even move him up the lineup. It's on the player IMO.
The 4th line doesn't really bother me. Lewis is a solid and Ritchie bring some energy. We're not losing games based on how the 4th lines match up.
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You don't create "energy" for your team by being thoroughly out-possessed, out-chanced, and outscored on a nightly basis. The league is far too skilled today to get by simply on what some deem to be hard work.
He's a cerebral player who relies on his smarts and positioning to impact the game, but people don't like that when you are 6'4"/225.
Where is the evidence that his style of play is in anyway detrimental to the team? Every analytical tool we have available suggests he positively impacts the game in all areas, unlike these other's guy's who are "really good pro's". Lucic has been outscored 47-66 at even strength the past two seasons while Ruzicka on the other hand has outscored the opposition 32-21 - so no, I don't agree that our 4th line as it's constructed isn't going to significantly hurt us.
To me it's an outdated approach to evaluating a players ability, and Darryl falls victim to it as well.