Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
Phillips is never going to impress in that role - he's not a 4th line grinder.
That role works for Pelletier and Duehr because they can play that game - they can go out and hit and be quick on the forecheck in a 4th line role.
If you are expecting Phillips to do that then you are not putting him in a position to succeed. Which IMO has been an issue with Sutter all year - he's trying to force people to fit instead of adapting around the players with have and putting them in a position where there strengths allow them to succeed.
|
I think he should have been given more games to make it, but according to Dobber he didn't really get stuck solely on 4th line. His biggest minutes were with Backlund and Ruzicka. His second (by 50%) was with Ruzicka and Zohorna - that's 4th line but with his AHL buddies. He had under 1:00 with any other combo, and never played with Lucic (14 seconds with Lewis, suggesting an overlap on a line change or something).
https://frozenpool.dobbersports.com/...tthew-phillips