So who will be the odd man out when Backy returns?
I really like the chemistry and tenacity of the fourth line with Lepper, Dowd, and Hathy. I think Boyd has continued to produce and has a bit more offensive upside than Dowd, but I really like the way that line has been playing with Dowd at C.
I think Eller has filled in well at 2C with Backy out. Eller gets a lot of grief on this board, but I've always like him for what he is; a relatively budget 3C. Also, he is pretty versatile and can fill in at 2C or 3C or 4C
With all the other guys seeming to produce, Panik needs to start producing or these boards are gonna eat him up. I have not given up on him....not expecting a 20 goal guy, but 10 would be nice. He as had some great chances, especially since his return from injury, but he hits a post or gets a bad bounce. Honestly it reminds me of Eller in his first year or two, where his offensive numbers were really poor (and these boards ate him up) but his level of play certainly seemed better than his production. He was getting or feeding good offensive chances but nobody was scoring with them.
Good problems to have; too many guys doing well that you have to pick which one to sit. Certainly better than the alternative - nobody producing and nowhere to turn.
GO CAPS
Good post Rich!
Alan May, in post game analysis, OFTEN makes note of Lars Ellers other contributions.
He pointed out, specifically, last night, how Eller adds REPEATED bites, at the “shots on goal apple”, for his linemates!
May used his “telestrator” video, to show how Ellers quicker reaction time, and anticipation, allow him an advantage to get into positions, where the puck will more likely be, OR, at least in a closer proximity to the puck, than his opponents, AFTER a shot on goal!! Actually he does this all the time, and May was just bringing notice to it last night!
This is ALSO why Eller is one of our best, if not THE BEST, PK man on our team!!
No wonder Trotz, and now Rierden, have kept him SOLIDLY, in his team position!!
Eller also gives his coaches a lot of line flexibility choices, when unforeseen injuries, and the like, affect the team!! Like you said, a great value for the price, for what you get as a complete package!!
( If I haven’t nauseated my good buddy, DC, yet, then it’s at this point, that DC and I will definitely have a few, “disagreement shots“, the next time we get together)!😂🤣. On balance, not a bad recreational activity!!😂🤣☺️
I agree also Rich, that Boyd has the offensive edge, over Dowd, at least, on an individual skills basis, I with more shot accuracy, IMO!
However, Dowd, and even Kempny, both have shown an uncanny knack for making those, very productive, Backstrom-esque, type passes, that can confound opponents!! Dowd is another BIG PK guy, that frustrates the opposing power play, often, as well!! And when you throw those two Energizer batteries, named Leipsic and Hathaway, well, you see the evidence by the havoc they reek on that fourth line!
I think when Backstrom returns, it may be Panik on the chopping block. As you mentioned, nice choices to have!!
Rush
