2017-2018 NHL Season Thread Hockey • Page 227

the problem is Henrique is overwhelmed at center most of the time

he is much better suited as a LW

 

though on the third line, against lesser competition, he might thrive

I'll miss the guy. He burst on the scene in 2012 and helped lead us to the Finals that year

 

Realize that article I posted on the other page was behind a paywall, but here's a snippet. Apologies for length:

Vatanen's 5-on-5 career in Anaheim is kind of a story of two halves. In 2013-15, the Ducks were better in possession and goals when he was on the ice. In the past two seasons, things haven't been very good.

What's happened here is that Vatanen's performance relative to his team has fallen off over the course of his career. He bottomed out last year from a relative possession perspective, before bouncing back this year. His raw numbers have been declining year-over-year as well.

There are a couple of things going on here. First, Vatanen's role within the team has kind of evolved over the years and you can see this if you look at his partners in each season. In 2013-14, he spent nearly 80 per cent of his 5-on-5 time with either Mark Fistric or Bryan Allen. That's a third pairing.

In 2014-15, he spent nearly 75 per cent of his time with Clayton Stoner, Bryan Allen, Eric Brewer, Mark Fistric and Colby Robak. Again, this looks like a third pairing defenceman, although he did see his time with Cam Fowler —a top four defenceman — nudge up to 14 per cent.

In 2015-16, he was again around 75 per cent of his time with players who one would think are third pairing defencemen: Clayton Stoner, Simon Despres and Kevin Bieksa. It's only in this most recent season in which he's clearly been played with a top four partner, with just over 60 per cent of his time with Cam Fowler, Josh Manson or Hampus Lindholm. Unfortunately, as noted above, his results have been trending downwards as the Ducks have pushed him beyond a third pairing role.

If you look at the last two seasons, you see that Vatanen had terrible possession numbers relative to the team in 2015-16 and that this year, those numbers improved relative to the team. Despite this, his raw possession numbers fell.

 

hopefully the shoulder injury he had was the reason he was struggling

maybe now that he got it fixed, he'll go back to what he was

 

Kesler and Getzlaf both expected to join the road trip before Christmas, Rakell expected last game of this road trip, Kase practiced this morning. Interested to see where Henrique will slide once the centres are back and healthy. I've wanted to a good left shot with Getzlaf and JVR would have been better, but Henrique will do with his ability to play down the middle

 

It's good to see the advanced stats back up what you think you're seeing watching the games. He's certainly regressed while Fowler, Lindholm, and Montour have essentially made him the expendable guy

 

i dont see too many ducks games, but man fowler was awesome against us last night

 

Yeah still really don't like that deal in any way.

 

you overrate Henrique, dude. He isn't a play driver and isnt good defensively. I think he will do well in Anaheim though because they have some good forwards.

I love the guy and I'll miss him, but he is a decent middle 6 forward, nothing more

you miss him because of the goal he scored in 2012. If he hadnt scored that goal, I think no one would really care about this

 

You know who else is overrated???

Vatanen. Very overrated.

You know what Vatanen wasn't and won't be? The emotional core of this team

 

So yeah it was one goal that is the reason I will miss him. But that doesn't make this an exciting deal

This is an overrated player we love being traded for an overrated player we don't care about at all who will take away PP minutes and reps from one of our most exciting young players.

Do not like it.

 

the team has been absolutely fucking terrible while Henrique was the "emotional core of this team".

the GM called players out over the summer for showing no passion. Henrique was one of them. He was dogging it a LOT last year.

 

who is Vatanen going to take minutes from? our D has not been good this year.

Vatanen can play PP and PK.

 

He's definitely going to take minutes from Butcher

 

no, he isn't. Butcher is going to stay on the #1 PP. Hynes even confirmed today.

Butcher also is a lefty and Vatanen is a righty

 

its clear that Shero's focus is on the transition game. Last year's team was one of the worst transition teams I've ever seen.

One of Vatanen's strengths is pushing the puck up the ice. Look at the Penguins who just won the Cup- their D corps was not all that great but most of them could skate and get the puck up the ice. Thats what Shero wants to build.

Like I said, I will miss HEnrique too. But I wanted no part of giving him a ~$6x6 extension this summer. That isnt smart.

 

I read this thought on twitter that basically said “it’s basically a wash but if I had to give the edge, I’ll give it to to devils.”

I think he will do good in New Jersey. The whole eastern conference thrives on speed.

 

I don't think any of the players in the NJD/ANA deal were that great, honestly.

Quote this when Vatanen wins the Norris this year.

 

even if Vatanen is just average, thats an upgrade for us

 

When Derek Grant is your 1C you take the upgrade lol

 

I thought Anaheim could get more for Vatanen based on everyone's need for a right-shot defenseman. Henrique's a good player, but I keep waiting for him to have that breakout season and I don't think it'll ever happen. Just a really good middle-six guy. Guess Anaheim's catastrophic injury situation made them speed up the process.

 

I still wouldn't be shocked to see us blow this, but holy goddamn tits Edmonton is actually legitimately bad.

 

Free McDavid.

 

started a little later than I thought it would, but I'm pretty sure the wings are starting that descent for Rasmus D. tonight

 

I really thought the Leafs were going to roast the Oilers tonight... but it's a one point game at the moment. Glad Willy got a goal (and two assists so far), maybe they'll leave him alone about it now.