I like using Dube in the middle, especially with his speed. I don't think it is a bad idea to give him reps as a center, but I do think that he could use a bit more ice time, even considering that Sutter rolls 4 lines. I think what needs to happen, however, is for Lucic to play a few less shifts a game, and get whatever winger is looking strong that night to eat up those extra shifts as a reward. Would make that 4th line a bit more dangerous, and hopefully more production out of Dube.
However, I am certain that unless Lucic makes a series of egregious errors, Sutter is not going to scratch him any further this season, so as a fan, I would simply rather focus on the positives that he does bring (and yes, there are some, even if you hate this player and even the role he fills - there is a defined role here). Win or lose, I just watch hockey for enjoyment. If they win and make the playoffs, great. If they lose, so be it - better pick and better lottery odds to grab Bedard, or at least someone higher up that could be a franchise-level player.
The only player on the team that I have started to form a dislike towards is Kadri, mostly because of his tunnel vision and what I perceive as selfishness both in his shot selection as well as his penalties (including those that he gets away with). Huberdeau's turnovers and propensity to try for the difficult passes that get picked off too often bother me, especially when they are passes that had they connected, would not have resulted in any better of a scoring chance than the easier play.
Still, I just enjoy watching the game and seeing what happens. They could very well make the playoffs and be a very tough out for anyone, or they might go on another losing skid again.
At the moment, I am loving Markstrom's resurgence. Top-tier goalie who may have suffered because of the baby-jitters, but in back-to-back games has been Vezina-calibre. Season rests squarely on his shoulders at the moment, but a composed Markstrom is some of the best shoulders in the entire NHL.
|