Lineup Tinkering Continues
January 3rd, 2009 by Steve
In a curious move considering Ron Wilson’s words regarding Jiri Tlusty only two days ago, the young Czech forward was demoted back to the Marlies in time for last night’s game against the Iowa Chops, which the Marlies won 6-1, including a goal from Tlusty. In his stead, the Leafs roster now includes Anton Stralman, though little official mention was made of the move.
This could potentially forbode either the return of Jeremy Williams to his spot alongside Jason Blake and Dominic Moore, or even mean we’re going to witness the continuing reinvention of Ian White as a forward, in a slot he played reasonably well in earlier on in the season.
White had played well as a forward, but as documented, his production has stalled almost entirely as a blue liner, despite increased ice time on the power play. His defense has been decent, he has consistently managed his role as a puck moving D man, but his shot totals are a tad high for a blue liner who produces so little from the point. Most of his goals this season have come within the 30 foot range of the top of the face off circles in the offensive zone. His lone goal from outside that range was the puck that bounced and went over the shoulder of Ryan Miller in Buffalo. He is a mobile, skilled player, and in appropriate scoring locations for a winger his shot is actually pretty decent. Unfortunately as a D man it doesn’t quite pack the same punch.
Either way, Anton Stralman has a better shot from the blue line, and though he hasn’t been producing anything for the Marlies (0 points in 7 games), he needs to continue to develop, and his play with the Leafs has been acceptable so far.
Should Williams be returning that also would be a positive, though his play had slid of late with 0 points in his last 3 games prior to his shoulder injury. He needs to shoot more when he returns to the line up.
Overall the Leafs as a team need to show some more jump and energy against the Sens, but who knows what the line up will look like this evening.
Posted in Game Analysis, Player Analysis, Prospects
3 Responses to “Lineup Tinkering Continues”
By koopa kid
on Jan 4, 2009
Hey, thanks for the link Steve, I knew somebody would be willing to read my latest defense tirade.
It was disappointing tonight to see Kris “do-nothing” Newbury in the lineup tonight instead of either Tlusty or Stralman. Kinda makes me wish we’d called up Boyd Devereaux or Bates Battaglia instead.
By Steve
on Jan 4, 2009
Or Darryl Boyce… or Robbie Earl…
I just think they wanted Newbury in the line up for his “grit” since they were without Deveaux, although I think Ben Ondrus would be superior in that regard anyway.
By koopa kid
on Jan 4, 2009
Honestly, I can’t believe that getting a concussion from a takedown and then maybe fighting twice since then would get a guy so much street cred with the brass. Newbury hasn’t been a gritty player in the bigs for some time.
I was being sarcastic about Bates and Boyd, though at least two years ago both were able to chip in a point every once in a while. Newbury has shown no such talent, and why we keep on recycling him into the roster I have no idea.