Comments on: 12/11 :: Game 31’s a good time for a turnaround, no?

By: J.J. from Kansas

J.J. from Kansas — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:56:22 +0000

"Practics" are a lot like practice, only spelled more wrong.

By: J.J. from Kansas

J.J. from Kansas — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:55:34 +0000

I thought Abby getting the second line shot was a bit weird too. We've seen a lot of Datsyuk double-shifting in recent games, I wonder why Babs won't do that with Helm and Draper too. If you're going to start the second line, especially in a defensive zone faceoff, put a better faceoff guy out there, then change him after he wins the draw. If he loses and is forced to play in his own zone for an entire shift with the second line, then the worst case scenario (not involving a goal for the opposition) is that Abdelkader now has to take a shift on the third line, where either Draper or Helm (whichever didn't take that 2nd line faceoff) can start on the dot and then move over to Wing.

I know Abby needs to take faceoffs to improve on them, but less than 42% is unacceptable. He needs more practics.

By: Michael Petrella

Michael Petrella — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:36:40 +0000

You're absolutely right. I wrote an article for Winging it in Motown about the downside to giving Abdelkader the opportunity, you should check it out.

He's definitely EARNED the right to give an expanded role a shot, but he's the worst faceoff taker on the team, which doesn't bode well for a puck-possession team.

By: ChristineRWBNB

ChristineRWBNB — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:32:15 +0000

I think the Bert-Abby-Ville line should be called the S.O.S. line, because it's clearly a cry for help.

And I actually like Abby, but he's 22 and needs a bunch of years under his belt before he's ready (if he ever is) for 2nd line on the Wings.