I think it's because of Kennedy always moving, so Vanek needs to match him.

Players tend to play the same as others on their line. If they are lazy, half the time they will not even worry about playing then. Glad he is being put with Kennedy and Grier.

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I take credit for the Vanek-Kennedy-Grier combo. From another thread on Nov. 24...

"As much as I liked the consistent line combos, I wonder now if it might be better to mix and match to have four identical type of lines. Maybe all four lines should have a playmaker, scorer, and grinder (at least our best version of these anyway). Something like...

Ellis - Connolly - Stafford
Hecht - Roy - Pominville
Vanek - Kennedy - Grier
MacArthur - Gaustad - Kaleta"

Now if only Mac and Ellis can be switched, my Cup winning vision will come to fruition.

My hat's off to you, 1980, for that

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mechaphil

1980, I really do like the looks of those lines.

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We did that last year when we were playing great hockey. I liked it like that a lot. Now if we did the playmaker-scorer-grinder lines with this years system, and the way Miller has been playing, we'd consistently be in the top 5 in the east throughout the year.

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"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." ~ Han Solo


We truly are not worthy of Miller!

ditto.

well-balanced lines that bring a multiple-threat complete package, on every shift.

now, don't fuck with it Lindy. leave it alone and let it gel.

Yeah. I think Kennedy is the perfect player for Vanek. If they move TV away from Kennedy, I will probably kill myself.

regardless of lines, vanek looks to be a much more well rounded player in recent weeks.

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What Mike said. And what Ice and 1980 said, too. Wasn't Ellis centering Pommer and Hecht on the second line while Goose was out last season? That line opened up HOT.

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mechaphil

I agree with what you said there, JV, but we can't just let him "loose" either. He needs to learn to play the system.

Now regardless of his fitness, he does not usually play like he has the last 2 games. He needs to play like that every game and play a two sided game. There are some games where he barely leaves the blue line from our own bench, just not a lot of movement.

And if he is "fit" i'd like to see him get involved emotionally. Except for the "oh man I didn't score" look or the "I look like i'm in pain even though the game just started" gopher look, he doesn't show any emotion.

I want to see him get mad at someone. I don't mean full on fights, but stur up some emotion.

You're right, you cannot compare him to Crosby or Ovie BUT while Crosby and Ovie score a lot, they are also playing with emotion. Even Crosby who is sometimes, almost all the time, a full on BITCH, gets involved in plays and will get a "Testosterone" or adrenaline rush into plays.

Improving yes, but what I mean is there is no way he can score in even 40 games this year, he has to find a way to be useful to the team in the games he doesn't score.

I'd say in the last 2 games, he has been useful. 2 games ago, regardless of the goal, he played a solid game in which he MOVED.

Improvement I like. Now get the legs moving.

Not trying to beat a dead horse here, but I'm curious to get the fan base's opinion, after the past 4 games, does anyone feel Vanek still looks off? I think he looks on at this point, even in the Toronto game where he was held off the score sheet, he played a great game.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Yeah, he's looking much better 5 on 5. Probably because he's paired with two guys who will do the work in the corners and behind the net. Not Vanek's strong point. But he'll always be money on the PP.

Ham

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Do you believe yet?

This team doesn't shoot much anymore, we grind a lot. Vanek camps in front of the net a lot so... That's maybe 60% of his goals if not more.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I think he's looking great.

So long as they're winning...

Seriously, I don't care if they're taking 50 shots a game if they're going to be taking those from the outside with nobody going to the net. Even in last night's drubbing of a lax Montreal team, there seemed to be a bit of dipsy-doodle, fancy play. But look at the goals scored. Lots of those were rebounds and guys driving hard to the blue ice.

As to Vanek, yeah, that's where he stays. That's his office. I don't know if there's anyone in the league better in that area than Vanek. It's a valuable skill set to have.

Ham

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Do you believe yet?

Totally agree with that.

Dave Andreychuk had a pretty good career camping there.

QFT soooooo much

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mechaphil

Vanek is no lumbering whale. He has good speed, plays the PK, and has showed some good playmaking ability, too. Last night he registered 3 assists and was easily the 1st star.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

1: He is SLOW and Lazy. Very.
2: PK... Okay how is that contributing to the argument that he scores and is good?
3: He can only playmake when it is 2 on 1 and he just sits there for an hour... He registered 3 assists last night because A: It was a blowout game and B: he had a lucky game... He isn't a good player.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.