Pass/Fail: Jan Mursak

The traditional method of ranking individual player performance is usually some sort of “report card” or “A+” grading system. Not here. You see, we like to keep things simple at TPL. You either made the grade or you didn’t. No grey area. Black and white. This is “Pass/Fail.”

Statistically Speaking
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The Good
Well, he filled in pretty admirably for 19 games this season, providing depth at a time when the Wings were suffering from injuries. He did score a goal during his stint on the big club, and he seemed to receive regular praise from the coaching staff. He’s got a solid all-around game with some finesse and grit mixed in there, and he’ll make a big push to be a full(ish) time member of the Red Wings this upcoming season.

The Bad
One goal in 19 games really doesn’t knock the socks off, now does it? He also finished the year with a -3, and still looked to be a bit indecisive at both ends of the ice. He never really seemed to be a major scoring threat, essentially taking up space and playing 4th line minutes. For a kid who may wind up in the NHL full time next year, he still looked a bit unready and unsure of himself.

Extra Credit
“The Sak” may be the best nickname ever.

Grades
Disch: PASS
Petrella: PASS
Hollis: FAIL

The Reasoning
Disch: I’m conflicted here, but I’ll go pass.  His job this year was to step in when the injuries hit and prove he had a long-term role with the club.  As he’s still in contention for a gig this year, I guess he did his job.  I’m not crapping my pants about the Sak, and this could be the hangover talking, but he doesn’t really capture the imagination quite like some of the other guys we’ve got in the ranks.
Petrella: Mursak’s a pass for filling in admirably when needed. The spotlight’s going to be on him next year when he’s no longer a call-up, and I look forward to seeing how he handles it.
Hollis: The play didn’t seem to match the expectations for The Sak. For a guy who may be a full time roster player next season, I was hoping to see a little more in terms of energy and grit. He looked timid and uncertain, and that’s not a trait I would expect to see from a guy who is looking down the barrel of fourth line minutes in the NHL.

Final TPL Grade
PASS

Up Next: Johan Franzen

Past Reports:
6/22 :: Cory Emmerton (PASS)
6/17 :: Justin Abdelkader (FAIL)
6/9 :: Jiri Hudler (FAIL)
6/8 :: Todd Bertuzzi (PASS)
6/7 :: Brian Rafalski (PASS)
6/7 :: Pavel Datsyuk (PASS)
6/6 :: Brad Stuart (PASS)
6/4 :: Henrik Zetterberg (PASS)
5/27 :: Jakub Kindl (SPLIT)
5/26 :: Darren Helm (PASS)
5/24 :: Niklas Kronwall (PASS)
5/23 :: Valtteri Filppula (PASS)