from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
Not everyone is cut out to be filling the role. During his Detroit tenure, coach Jeff Blashill sought to convince Anthony Mantha that he’d be a 30-goal scorer were he willing to occupy the net front on a regular basis. Blashill went as far as to show Mantha footage of a master of the role, James van Riemsdyk of the Philadelphia Flyers. But he was never able to convince Mantha to embrace the concept.
No one needed to explain the value of net front work to Chiasson. And at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, he’s in possession of the physical tools to make him play effectively there. But there’s a lot more than size that goes into net front expertise.
“Puck support, being able to be available. He can get the puck from the half wall. I think that has a part to do with it and then that timing of when to take the goalie’s eyes, when to be available, those are things we’re looking for.”
Chiasson has directly factored in all four power-play goals scored by the Red Wings over the past three games. He scored two of them himself. In Sunday’s 4-3 win over Boston, Chiasson scored once with the man advantage and was screening Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman on another power-pllay tally.
People are still talking about the behind the legs cross creas dish Chiasson made to Larkin. a power-play marker last Wednesday agains the Chicago Blackhawks.
“He’s a pro,” Lalonde said. “I think the guys appreciate him.
“Sometimes, when you look at power play net-front guys, everyone just looks at if they bang home a rebound, or if they make that play he made the other night, the backhand through his legs back door tap in to Larks.”
His salary history at CapFriendly
from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
Lalonde mentioned all the ways Chiasson helps the power play.
"Relieving pressure, taking the goalie's eyes away, spinning off a check in front to (handle a) rebound," Lalonde said. "He has very good instincts."...
Walman currently has the best plus-minus rating on the Wings, with a plus-16. Andrew Copp is next best, at plus-six.
Walman has seven goals and five assists in 47 games, and recently signed a three-year contract worth $10.2 million ($3.4 million cap hit per year).
Lalonde admitted Walman has exceeded the coaching staff's expectations.
"We were wondering if we would be able to get him in when he got healthy," Lalonde said, of when Walman returned in November. "It was a case of our defense was playing fairly well at the beginning of the season.
"He's really earned everything he's got. Now the challenge for him is to keep playing within himself. He still has to learn to manage his game, which doesn't happen overnight, but those are good experiences to learn from."
more on the Wings
DETROIT The Detroit Red Wings today recalled right wing Matt Luff from the American Hockey Leagues Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.
Ya know, it wasn't that long ago where people cried for the net front presence to end.
Hes going to have interestif I was his agent, Id be t looking for a 1-way deal with some modest term. A bit less money but 1-way and term? Say yes, dude.
Small sample size, but obviously very positive impression so far. Definitely not worse than Sundquist.
There was a time when GM's and ownership took a good measure of those working hard at the end of the season, offering extended terms for less, aka commitment to stay, loyalty, and a can do spirit. I don't know where the Wings are.... At this juncture, he might be traded for a hub cap off a Buick and a snow cone in the 5th. Options baby!!
Yzerman does not need to sign him today, his tryout has 16 games to go, but if he continues doing what he is doing, 100%.
Very small sample size, but he's been the best we've had in quite some time in that small sample size, he actually does what a net front person should do, screen, disrupt, get to post when the pucks goes to the dots, pivot up when it goes under, makes his stick available as the release vale, and has been pretty good retrievals and moving the puck. That last piece might be the only thing I'd give Sonny an edge on him over.
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