Will Watching the Game Tonight on My PC Mean I'll Miss Gagner's Defensive Mishaps in HD?
Sam Gagner needs to go back to the 3rd and 4th line like Tiger Woods needs a second cell phone. Both Tiger and Gagner have been exposed as playing terrible defense against a barrage of offensive threats.Sure, while the threats are quite different in their nature, both Tiger and Gagner could stand to take a step back from the picture of themselves and realize, what could I have done differently here?
For Tiger, it's simple. Either don't cheat on your smokin' hot wife, or if you're going to, get a second cell phone that your influx or fugglies can call you on without risk of your smokin' hot wife catching on.
For Gagner, take a step back and realize what Pat Quinn was trying to tell you when he started you on the 4th line this season.
I'll assume Pat Quinn was thinking Gagner is a great talent, but one dimensional. He's been given too much, too soon and he hasn't earned it. His one dimension served him well for about 50% of one season, but it's time to learn to play the harder lessons in hockey. The 4th line should teach him.
The funny thing was, it did.
Sam Gagner was great for the first few games of the season. As he worked hard, played better defense and played physical to get noticed, he also happened to find ways to put the puck in the net thanks to opportunities he created for himself and his linemates.
As time went on and as Gagner showed he should be given consideration for a higher responsibility type role with a greater upside for offensive numbers, his offense dipped and his defence vanished.
It's time to get Gagner back to a spot on the roster where he can relearn why he was given the first-line ice in the first place. His success and the Oilers ability to continue to string wins together as they face tougher competition, depend on Gagner getting it figured out quickly.
She he not and his one dimension still be missing, his defence still as brutal as it's been over the last five or so games, Gagner will be doing anything to get himself out of the Edmonton negative spotlight.
Another thing one might not want to have in common with Tiger right now.
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6 comments:
He's 20 you goon and developing
so, doesnt mean he doesnt have to learn to play defense and earn his ice time
20 years of age is exactly the reason to do this now and the reason Quinn did this at the start of the season.
The Oilers have been treating Gagner with kid gloves and at 20, while he's young he's no kid. I don't consider someone with three years in the NHL and playing for a contract to be so lazy and weak on defence.
A few shifts with players who aren't as skilled but have to grind it out is how a 20 year old will learn.
But thanks for calling me a goon, I've never been considered a hockey tough guy before.
Your Welcome
Agreed with the first comment. He's 20 playing against superstar forwards. Theres not to many 20 year olds that can come into this leauge and match up well against the superstars out of the gate. He has to take his lumps and learn on that line and get better. Cut the guy some slack. To think you would mess with the lines right now as well when their winning and on a roll is a joke.
There is something to your suggestion that you wait until a game is out of reach or the Oilers don't keep winning. I'll give you that.
And while I don't want to take anything away from the win streak, something has to be said for how 2 of 4 of those games could have easily gone the other way.
How long is Gagner's leash if he continues to be somewhat unproductive? Granted he had an assist tonight, but overall he's the weak link on that first line.
When would you make the change? After a poor game? He's already had that. After a few poor shifts? He's had that too.
If Gagner turns it around on that top line, then great. If theoretically he gets no points in the next 10 games, but the Oilers win 8 of 10, do you still not move him? I'm not so sure.
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