PlusOne wrote on Sat, 01 January 2022 14:00

stemhovlichski wrote on Sat, 01 January 2022 14:58 K.McC#24 wrote on Sat, 01 January 2022 13:20 PlusOne wrote on Sat, 01 January 2022 13:11 stemhovlichski wrote on Sat, 01 January 2022 13:50 Why is Drai on the PK? He's slow, out of position and...um..A SCORER NOT A DEFENDER. Tippett should put a bottom 6 plug out there so he won't waste his 2nd best player's energy. Or is this like Horcoff - we pay him lots so he has to play more than everyone else including PK? I am not arguing Drai on the PK or not but he is definitely not slow. In the same way guys called Jumbo or Forsberg slow it is a result of how they play the game with the puck, not ability. I do think he doesn't skate hard enough on the backcheck at times so that looks slow. On the PK I want guys who read the puck and the game well so if that is Drai right now then I am ok with it. I just dont want him blocking shots! I am 100% with you on not wasting his energy though. This team doesn't have the depth to lose his offence by burning him out on the PK Plus, anything that can get Devin Shore further out the door is a positive to me! I worry about Drai's minutes and how much he has left late in games. He doesn't have the lungs or legs like 97. I'd like him closer to 20 than 25. Him on the PK is because Nuge is out and moreso on draws. The Oilers aren't getting PP opportunities so probably not as much of a concern...but yeah you rather have your 3rd and 4th liners killing penalties ideally and have your scorers fresh. To clarify, I meant Drai is slow in the acceleration department in his own own protecting the point. He's not a good stationary or slow twister/turner in the defensive zone. On the breakout or in the offensive zone where he's attacking with his weight forward he's frickin' AMAZING!!! Totally makes sense now. In that way you are correct and that is a detriment to the PK. There are times I like skill guys on the PK if they have the stamina. It causes the opposing PP to be more careful and less aggressive knowing a shorty could happen at any time if they make a mistake.

Hyman?

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