The Tomas Vokoun incident overshadowed pretty much everything else that happened in last night’s game, but if you watched John Anderson’s post-game press conference you heard something that I find very interesting.
Matt McConnell asked him about the progressions of Evander Kane and Anderson commented that he’s “going to have to find him more ice time.” Anderson had nothing but praise for the rookie who has excelled at both ends of the ice and is always willing to stick around after practice for bit of extra work. Kane is already fifth in the PK rotation an not likely to get much more time there as long as the PK is going well, but he’s not being used on the power play at all. Anderson’s comments were off the cuff, but if I were in Bryan Little, Todd White or Slava Kozlov I’d be worried about losing time to the rookie. Little has one PP point while White has five and Kozlov has six. White is third in power-play time behind Kovalchuk and Enstrom and Kozlov is fifth after Afinogenov. Little is sixth.
Kane, Peverley and Armstrong had more than their share of chances last night and if that line is kept intact the only way Kane sees more ice is with power play time, and that has to come t someone else’s expense. It’s an interesting story to keep an eye on.
Max got the game winner, Antro W/ the A. BUUUUUT!
The play was made possible by the ROOK!!!!!
What a display of tenacity! Hustle, grit, and gamesmenship!
He brought it into the O-zone on his own, made a beautiful deke/ poke onlong the sideboards, and beat the D-man to it along the endboards. Continued the play around the ends, and checked the Fla plyr. HARD!!!! resulting in continued zone possession where Antro made a helluva nice pass to Maxie (who to his hardworking credit had gone to the slot) who got off another terrific shot w/ a Fla man draped ALL OVER’ EM!
Very nice play by ALL involved, but give the kid all due recognition. I absolutely love his game thusfar, and can’t wait for more.
Atta boy Rook.
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PS….
Let’s get this kid in contention for the Calder EH?
Screw the NE media…… I firmly believe this guy can surpass all the rest. Absolutely ZERO pub from the likes of H.N.I.C., TSN., On The Fly, NHL. Com,
ETC….
And before anybody even tries…. Don’t give that crap about the Non-Trad. Mrkt.
BS!
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Pingback: Turkey Trot Results 2009 « Celebrity Buzz
Power play unit: Kane – Antropov – Afinogenov
Kovalchuk Bogosian
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I think Kane has major accomplishments to be proud of this season, but I have a hard time seeing a change to the top PP unit of Pevs, Antro, Max up front and Kovy and Toby in back. For those of you looking for reasons why Little, White, and Kozlov are short on points, it’s because they no longer get top PP time. Kane deserves kudos, but coach Anderson shouldnt break up something good.
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Kane is playing exceptionally well and I believe he has certainly earned some more ice time, but I do not wish to see him rushed along. I see nothing wrong with allowing the kid to continue gaining strength and experience at the current pace. Perhaps a mid season consideration for PP experience would be fine.
As for his work ethic; I certainly hope some of it rubs off on the veterans. I have yet to see him give up on a play on either end and he is not afraid to play the physical game. I like this kid a whole lot. He has certainly improved this team overall.
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Apache,
I kinda like that line-up for the power play; two rocket shots from the point and some real quickness down low with a big body standing in the paint. Perhaps we do not wait until mid-season to try Kane out on the PP.
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Kane’s pressure in the dying seconds of the game directly led to that goal being scored. Fantastic job by the rookie!
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Sweet Baby Kane is getting better every game. He’s the strongest player on the puck down low this team has. I still want to see a Kane-Peverley-Little line (“Little Baby Jesus” line.) I think that line would be electric.
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little baby jesus line… that is pure gold my friend… made me laugh so hard
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I like Apache’s Power Play combo of Kane-Antro-Afinogenov with Kovy and Bogo at the point.
I’d like to see the following lines:
Kovy-Antro-Afinogenov
Kane-White-Peverly
Kozlov-Little-Armstrong
Boulton-Reasoner-Thorburn
The top line with Kovy, Antro, and Max should not be touched. Right now we are getting fourth line production out of our second line of Kozlov, White, and Little.
I’d like to see Little move back to Center. He isn’t big enough or strong enough to win battles for the puck on the boards. I think he needs to work on faceoffs and move back to Center. Anyone else agree with that?
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ever since mid october i have always wondered how kane, little, and peverley would be as a line. in the game against carolina a few days ago, peverley scored the gwg, little made a nice pass to him, and kane was driving toward the net on the other side. they just seemed to communicate well together. and if put together, maybe the youngsters skill and speed can get litz playing the way we all no he can. plus, little is really good down low on the cycle, and kane is also strong with the puck down low.
LetNoneIn:
little-baby-jesus line=brilliant
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