Anaheim Calling: FanPostsAnaheim Ducks - The Other White Meathttp://cdn1.sbnation.com/community_logos/46757/anaheim-fave.png2013-05-15T03:35:28Zhttp://www.anaheimcalling.com/rss/fanposts.xml2013-05-15T03:35:28Z2013-05-15T03:35:28ZManifesto of a Fed Up Fan
<p>As I write this diatribe, I am sitting in the dark, drinking warm Coors Light, watching Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/los-angeles-kings" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/san-jose-sharks" class="sbn-auto-link">Sharks</a>. While this is already hard to watch, the gnawing fact that this game could have been played at <strike>Honda Center</strike> the Pond tonight is the most painful part of all. Since we have some extra time before the start of the new season, I want to reflect as we approach the 20th anniversary of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Anaheim Ducks</a> Hockey Club. There have been many great highs: the high scoring Kariya-Selanne line, the Cinderella 2003 Cup run, and of course the championship in 2007. However, the lows have been just as great. While Kariya leaving and Ruslan Salei dying so unexpectedly were very hard, probably the darkest hour in this franchise's history has been this streak of inconsistency post Stanley Cup.</p>
<p>I say this because this franchise has squandered the respect and success of that 2007 team and I for one am sick of it. This team is now but a fading shadow of what it used to be and sadly, from what I witnessed in the series against Detroit, looks to continue down this path of mediocrity. While the main reason for this continuing slump has been ownership who is clueless on how to run a hockey team, it has been the fans who are fickle at best and won't do anything about this asinine management and worse validate, their decisions by coming out in droves when the team does find success.</p>
<p>Now, we live in the bandwagon fan capital of the world, which was widely seen during the Kings Cup run last year, and granted, there are exceptions to every rule because the Ducks have a small but very passionate and loyal core fan base. However I feel an absolute contempt for most of my fellow Ducks fans. I would read hockey discussions on the internet or talk to people at games and a lot of people I talk to have an almost juvenile attitude and outlook on not only the Ducks but towards other teams and the sport in general. For instance, many so called fans would say things such as "Oh the refs are so biased towards Detroit, the Ducks are wayyy better and should have won if it wasn't for the refs that were paid off." That is such an ignorant and childish statement. Many people wonder why the Ducks aren't taken seriously by fans of the rest of the league and statements like that are exactly why. I see grown men blowing duck calls and booing obvious penalties because they don't know the rules and it makes me sick to my stomach. It frustrates me because when I talk to fans of other teams, this is the stereotype of the typical Ducks fan.</p>
<p>I have been a Ducks fan since I was 4 years old. I have skipped social events for playoff games, sat in particular positions because the Ducks scored when I was sitting that way, not washed my old school Mighty Ducks sweater for weeks, and broken things when they have been eliminated from the playoffs. Granted, I'm not some crazy fan living in my mom's basement, I have a job, girlfriend, and a social life. However, the point I'm trying to make is that hockey and the Ducks are a big part of my life and it sickens me to my core when I see Ducks "fans" still bragging about a Cup win that happened 6 years ago. Yeah it was phenomenal when they won, but since then the Ducks have gone 1 for 4 in playoff series and watched rivals Detroit and LA win it as well so that Cup win doesn't hold as much validation in today's what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sports world.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm bitter or maybe its the beer talking but I'm just tired. I'm tired of going to Ducks games against the Kings at Staples and seeing maybe 15 Ducks fans and then when the Kings come to the Pond the "Go Kings Go" chant is louder than anything. I'm tired of the endless worship of Perry when he gets 2 points in a playoff series that sees player like Etem and Bonino double his point total even though both those players combined make less than half of his salary. I'm tired that most people don't know who Bob Murray is or that he has been slowly killing this franchise through horrible trades and outrageous contracts. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter because while some crazy like minded individuals such as myself still want to believe, most of the "fans" who were at those four games at Honda Center this past week are too busy putting their Kings jerseys on to give a rat's ass.</p>
<p>As I write this diatribe, I am sitting in the dark, drinking warm Coors Light, watching Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/los-angeles-kings" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/san-jose-sharks" class="sbn-auto-link">Sharks</a>. While this is already hard to watch, the gnawing fact that this game could have been played at <strike>Honda Center</strike> the Pond tonight is the most painful part of all. Since we have some extra time before the start of the new season, I want to reflect as we approach the 20th anniversary of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Anaheim Ducks</a> Hockey Club. There have been many great highs: the high scoring Kariya-Selanne line, the Cinderella 2003 Cup run, and of course the championship in 2007. However, the lows have been just as great. While Kariya leaving and Ruslan Salei dying so unexpectedly were very hard, probably the darkest hour in this franchise's history has been this streak of inconsistency post Stanley Cup.</p>
<p>I say this because this franchise has squandered the respect and success of that 2007 team and I for one am sick of it. This team is now but a fading shadow of what it used to be and sadly, from what I witnessed in the series against Detroit, looks to continue down this path of mediocrity. While the main reason for this continuing slump has been ownership who is clueless on how to run a hockey team, it has been the fans who are fickle at best and won't do anything about this asinine management and worse validate, their decisions by coming out in droves when the team does find success.</p>
<p>Now, we live in the bandwagon fan capital of the world, which was widely seen during the Kings Cup run last year, and granted, there are exceptions to every rule because the Ducks have a small but very passionate and loyal core fan base. However I feel an absolute contempt for most of my fellow Ducks fans. I would read hockey discussions on the internet or talk to people at games and a lot of people I talk to have an almost juvenile attitude and outlook on not only the Ducks but towards other teams and the sport in general. For instance, many so called fans would say things such as "Oh the refs are so biased towards Detroit, the Ducks are wayyy better and should have won if it wasn't for the refs that were paid off." That is such an ignorant and childish statement. Many people wonder why the Ducks aren't taken seriously by fans of the rest of the league and statements like that are exactly why. I see grown men blowing duck calls and booing obvious penalties because they don't know the rules and it makes me sick to my stomach. It frustrates me because when I talk to fans of other teams, this is the stereotype of the typical Ducks fan.</p>
<p>I have been a Ducks fan since I was 4 years old. I have skipped social events for playoff games, sat in particular positions because the Ducks scored when I was sitting that way, not washed my old school Mighty Ducks sweater for weeks, and broken things when they have been eliminated from the playoffs. Granted, I'm not some crazy fan living in my mom's basement, I have a job, girlfriend, and a social life. However, the point I'm trying to make is that hockey and the Ducks are a big part of my life and it sickens me to my core when I see Ducks "fans" still bragging about a Cup win that happened 6 years ago. Yeah it was phenomenal when they won, but since then the Ducks have gone 1 for 4 in playoff series and watched rivals Detroit and LA win it as well so that Cup win doesn't hold as much validation in today's what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sports world.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm bitter or maybe its the beer talking but I'm just tired. I'm tired of going to Ducks games against the Kings at Staples and seeing maybe 15 Ducks fans and then when the Kings come to the Pond the "Go Kings Go" chant is louder than anything. I'm tired of the endless worship of Perry when he gets 2 points in a playoff series that sees player like Etem and Bonino double his point total even though both those players combined make less than half of his salary. I'm tired that most people don't know who Bob Murray is or that he has been slowly killing this franchise through horrible trades and outrageous contracts. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter because while some crazy like minded individuals such as myself still want to believe, most of the "fans" who were at those four games at Honda Center this past week are too busy putting their Kings jerseys on to give a rat's ass.</p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/5/14/4332256/manifesto-of-a-fed-up-fandetroitsucks132013-05-13T15:21:48Z2013-05-13T15:21:48ZFun with Shots
<p>Too big to post in game recap. Shots totals and general observations, very little hate.</p>
<p>Total Attempted<br>Perry 34 Goals 0 0% TOI (non shorthanded) 20:05<br>Bobby 30 Goals 2 6.6% TOI 16:17<br>Getz 28 Goals 3 10.7% TOI 20:34<br>Kyle P 22 Goals 3 13.6% TOI 10:33<br>Etem 22 Goals 3 13.6% TOI 11:26<br><br>With Kyle P getting 1:49 PP time and Etem hilariously getting 0:12 as BB was clearly trolling AC. I don't understand even a little how Getz wasn't double shifted more with our young guns. Soon to be X Duck Bobby Ryan had 2 shot attempts Game 7, and the monkey on Perry's back was snake bit. Kyle P. should have been up top all series or Getz double shifting on the 4th for Steckle.</p>
<p><br>Games Shot Difference plus pure shot comments ignoring the actual game<br>G1 ES +9 Tot +5 Dux win earned just quality play<br>G2 ES +1 Tot 0 Dux loss toss up OT coin flip<br>G3 ES +8 Tot +6 Dux Win earned dominated the whole game<br>G4 ES -19 Tot -16 Dux Loss earned totally dominated and threw all the totals off padding Det numbers they really deserved a Regulation Win here, we had no business being in this game<br>G5 ES 0 Tot +3 Dux Win OT coin flip<br>G6 ES +11 Tot +8 Dux Loss OT<br>G7 ES -6 Tot +1 Dux loss earned, just didn't show up. No excuse being outshot trailing the whole game<br><br>Total Shots<br>Det ES 175 All Special Teams 43<br>Ana ES 179 All Special Teams 46<br>Take out game 4 Total Diff Ana +23 ES Special Teams 0<br><br>Even series as 6 Wins by 1 goal, 4 of them being OT will attest too. Looking at it, we Won game 1 & 3, they Won 4 & 7 and we flipped for 2, 5 & 6. It's a shame we didn't win an extra flip.</p>
<p>Too big to post in game recap. Shots totals and general observations, very little hate.</p>
<p>Total Attempted<br>Perry 34 Goals 0 0% TOI (non shorthanded) 20:05<br>Bobby 30 Goals 2 6.6% TOI 16:17<br>Getz 28 Goals 3 10.7% TOI 20:34<br>Kyle P 22 Goals 3 13.6% TOI 10:33<br>Etem 22 Goals 3 13.6% TOI 11:26<br><br>With Kyle P getting 1:49 PP time and Etem hilariously getting 0:12 as BB was clearly trolling AC. I don't understand even a little how Getz wasn't double shifted more with our young guns. Soon to be X Duck Bobby Ryan had 2 shot attempts Game 7, and the monkey on Perry's back was snake bit. Kyle P. should have been up top all series or Getz double shifting on the 4th for Steckle.</p>
<p><br>Games Shot Difference plus pure shot comments ignoring the actual game<br>G1 ES +9 Tot +5 Dux win earned just quality play<br>G2 ES +1 Tot 0 Dux loss toss up OT coin flip<br>G3 ES +8 Tot +6 Dux Win earned dominated the whole game<br>G4 ES -19 Tot -16 Dux Loss earned totally dominated and threw all the totals off padding Det numbers they really deserved a Regulation Win here, we had no business being in this game<br>G5 ES 0 Tot +3 Dux Win OT coin flip<br>G6 ES +11 Tot +8 Dux Loss OT<br>G7 ES -6 Tot +1 Dux loss earned, just didn't show up. No excuse being outshot trailing the whole game<br><br>Total Shots<br>Det ES 175 All Special Teams 43<br>Ana ES 179 All Special Teams 46<br>Take out game 4 Total Diff Ana +23 ES Special Teams 0<br><br>Even series as 6 Wins by 1 goal, 4 of them being OT will attest too. Looking at it, we Won game 1 & 3, they Won 4 & 7 and we flipped for 2, 5 & 6. It's a shame we didn't win an extra flip.</p>
<fieldset class="poll-box">
<legend>Poll</legend>
<h5 class="poll-title">Does Murry trade Bobby for a 2C for Etem & Kyle P?</h5>
<div id="poll_container_178761_812722087">
<form action="/polls/vote/178761?container_id=poll_container_178761_812722087" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/178761?container_id=poll_container_178761_812722087', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;">
<ul class="poll-list clearfix">
<li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_795237" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="795237" /></span>
<label for="poll_option_795237"><span class="option">Yes</span></label></li>
<li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_795239" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="795239" /></span>
<label for="poll_option_795239"><span class="option">No</span></label></li>
<li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_795241" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="795241" /></span>
<label for="poll_option_795241"><span class="option">What's a 2C?</span></label></li>
<li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_795243" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="795243" /></span>
<label for="poll_option_795243"><span class="option">I'd prefer if he was traded for more 3.5M Dmen who can't clear the crease</span></label></li>
</ul>
<p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />
<span> <span>10 votes |</span> <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/178761?container_id=poll_container_178761_812722087', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></span></p>
</form>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/5/13/4326558/fun-with-shotsThyme2013-05-11T19:44:50Z2013-05-11T19:44:50ZDucks - The Winning Formula!
<p><br></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a> have more skill than any other team. Let’s put it to use. Hockey leadership is saying, “How badly do you want it” or “Let’s take this game” or “Own the ice.” These are the comments being made in the dressing room… to no avail.</p>
<p>Currently, Ducks allow opponent to easily move out of own zone, uncontested through neutral zone, and begin defensive stance ONLY in their own 1/3 of the ice. Not a wining formula.</p>
<p>WINNING FORMULA: Leadership (coaching) tips to score & win:<br>ATTACK:</p>
<ul>
<li>Play a 2-3-1 formation. Center drives forward and transitions back (gotta communicate, be in shape, and alert).</li>
<li>Get both posts covered on the attack (play just beyond the top of the crease, allow space to collect rebounds; avoid crowding the post & jamming self up)</li>
<li>Attack the corners, get the puck on the net: play rebound or when goalie commits, pass to opposite post to catch a committed goalie’s back door/open net.</li>
<li>Potential 1 out of 10 attempts the puck WILL find the back of the net. Result=more goals with 23 – 35 shots on goal.</li>
<li>Bring puck into attacking zone in middle, not sides/boards to avoid pinching & loss of possession.</li>
<li> MINIMIZE dump & chase!</li>
<li>Circulation/Rotation during attack is improving (remember to keep both posts covered). Currently many lost opportunities & possessions recently.</li>
</ul>
<p>DEFEND:</p>
<ul>
<li>Forecheck! Forwards must tie up opponent in their own zone when trying to bring the puck out.</li>
<li>Center to cover center of opponent’s zone during forecheck & transitions to blue line for neutral zone trap</li>
<li>Lock down nueutral zone.</li>
<li>Communication has been good recently</li>
<li>Use body, not stick, to knock opponent off of puck whenever possible</li>
<li>Block driving lanes with body, not stick</li>
<li>Time & Space: tight coverage. ALL attackers have a Duck on them so no passes can be received. Communicate successful turnovers to initiate quick transition.</li>
<li>Knock over/HIT any opposing player that receives a pass.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The keys to the game like champions:</strong><br> Puck possession<br> Turnovers by forecheckers<br> 2 posts covered on attack.<br> Disciplined concentration, professional best</p>
<p>Go Ducks!</p>
<p><br></p>
<p><br></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a> have more skill than any other team. Let’s put it to use. Hockey leadership is saying, “How badly do you want it” or “Let’s take this game” or “Own the ice.” These are the comments being made in the dressing room… to no avail.</p>
<p>Currently, Ducks allow opponent to easily move out of own zone, uncontested through neutral zone, and begin defensive stance ONLY in their own 1/3 of the ice. Not a wining formula.</p>
<p>WINNING FORMULA: Leadership (coaching) tips to score & win:<br>ATTACK:</p>
<ul>
<li>Play a 2-3-1 formation. Center drives forward and transitions back (gotta communicate, be in shape, and alert).</li>
<li>Get both posts covered on the attack (play just beyond the top of the crease, allow space to collect rebounds; avoid crowding the post & jamming self up)</li>
<li>Attack the corners, get the puck on the net: play rebound or when goalie commits, pass to opposite post to catch a committed goalie’s back door/open net.</li>
<li>Potential 1 out of 10 attempts the puck WILL find the back of the net. Result=more goals with 23 – 35 shots on goal.</li>
<li>Bring puck into attacking zone in middle, not sides/boards to avoid pinching & loss of possession.</li>
<li> MINIMIZE dump & chase!</li>
<li>Circulation/Rotation during attack is improving (remember to keep both posts covered). Currently many lost opportunities & possessions recently.</li>
</ul>
<p>DEFEND:</p>
<ul>
<li>Forecheck! Forwards must tie up opponent in their own zone when trying to bring the puck out.</li>
<li>Center to cover center of opponent’s zone during forecheck & transitions to blue line for neutral zone trap</li>
<li>Lock down nueutral zone.</li>
<li>Communication has been good recently</li>
<li>Use body, not stick, to knock opponent off of puck whenever possible</li>
<li>Block driving lanes with body, not stick</li>
<li>Time & Space: tight coverage. ALL attackers have a Duck on them so no passes can be received. Communicate successful turnovers to initiate quick transition.</li>
<li>Knock over/HIT any opposing player that receives a pass.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The keys to the game like champions:</strong><br> Puck possession<br> Turnovers by forecheckers<br> 2 posts covered on attack.<br> Disciplined concentration, professional best</p>
<p>Go Ducks!</p>
<p><br></p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/5/11/4322200/ducks-the-winning-formulaDuckHoliday2013-05-09T08:09:58Z2013-05-09T08:09:58ZHockey Worlds
<p>I know with playoff hockey going on it is easy to forget that the hockey worlds are going on right now as well. USA is doing well enough but most important our prized prospect <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/132393/john-gibson" class="sbn-auto-link">John Gibson</a> is playing goal for the team. He put up a big game today only allowing 1 goal against Host Finland.</p>
<p>It is an interesting way to keep track of the better players for teams that didn't make the playoffs as well. Currently Paul Stastny has 9 points in 5 games I think. I think it's interesting how a player who a lot of fans think is over rated and over paid does seem to still posses some skill. Now obviously the competition isn't nearly as good as NHL but to be fair he matched Getzlafs production last year and is sticking with Kovalchuk this year. Just interesting.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Back to Gibson though, with him playing this well I think we're going to see a goalie moved this summer. Probably one of Bobkov or Anderson. I think Hiller has made a statement this post season and his job is safe. With Fasth signed for another 2 years I also don't see us moving him as he is a great backup and Anderson isn't tried yet. I like Anderson over Bobkov but Anderson would probably net a better return. Thoughts?</p>
<p>I know with playoff hockey going on it is easy to forget that the hockey worlds are going on right now as well. USA is doing well enough but most important our prized prospect <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/132393/john-gibson" class="sbn-auto-link">John Gibson</a> is playing goal for the team. He put up a big game today only allowing 1 goal against Host Finland.</p>
<p>It is an interesting way to keep track of the better players for teams that didn't make the playoffs as well. Currently Paul Stastny has 9 points in 5 games I think. I think it's interesting how a player who a lot of fans think is over rated and over paid does seem to still posses some skill. Now obviously the competition isn't nearly as good as NHL but to be fair he matched Getzlafs production last year and is sticking with Kovalchuk this year. Just interesting.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Back to Gibson though, with him playing this well I think we're going to see a goalie moved this summer. Probably one of Bobkov or Anderson. I think Hiller has made a statement this post season and his job is safe. With Fasth signed for another 2 years I also don't see us moving him as he is a great backup and Anderson isn't tried yet. I like Anderson over Bobkov but Anderson would probably net a better return. Thoughts?</p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/5/9/4314868/hockey-worldsDavidBL2013-05-07T04:09:09Z2013-05-07T04:09:09ZBoudreau lost this one for the Ducks!
<p>Boudreau played only one attacker the entire OT!!! 2 back, 2 in neutral zone. 1-2-2 really?? I can see playing this way to preserve a lead and lock up the neutral zone yes, but not during OT when going after a score to win. Champions play to win; the ducks did not play to win in OT which was very disappointing. We score when we are an attacking team. We score when we forecheck. We score when we enter the attack through the middle (not along the boards) with speed. We score when driving the net down the center. Why did we change it up and play a defensive stance, especially in OT? Don't lose faith in your skills <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a>. Question your coaches tactics.<br><br><br></p>
<p>Boudreau played only one attacker the entire OT!!! 2 back, 2 in neutral zone. 1-2-2 really?? I can see playing this way to preserve a lead and lock up the neutral zone yes, but not during OT when going after a score to win. Champions play to win; the ducks did not play to win in OT which was very disappointing. We score when we are an attacking team. We score when we forecheck. We score when we enter the attack through the middle (not along the boards) with speed. We score when driving the net down the center. Why did we change it up and play a defensive stance, especially in OT? Don't lose faith in your skills <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a>. Question your coaches tactics.<br><br><br></p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/5/6/4307416/boudreau-lost-this-one-for-the-ducksDuckHoliday2013-04-30T09:28:18Z2013-04-30T09:28:18ZThe Curious Case of Emerson Etem
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">There is very little question that Etem has changed some ducks fans minds this season. His work on the penalty kill has been fantastic, and arguably one of the key reasons that particular facet of the ducks game has turned around from the start of the season. </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">"One of the best skaters outside of the NHL, Etem not only uses his speed to score, but also uses it to aggressively forecheck and pressure the opposition into making mistakes." – Hockeyfuture</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">This speed, has been shown on multiple occasions. It has however opened up the door regarding greater even strength time on ice and even power play duties. This being the case, I shall delve into the mystery of Etem’s banishment to the depths of the 4th line, starting with linemates (because im researching hockey physiology currently and i don’t think i can handle looking at it anymore)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><b style="">The Line Mates</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Etem is often considered to be banished to the 4th line, and has line mates consisting of players like Staubitz. A quick search of his regular line mates surprised me. Keep in mind that each is a fairly small sample size, which has been dictated by Etem only playing approximately 10 minutes a night, and Bruce’s line mashing.</p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="722" style=""><tbody>
<tr style="height: 46.85pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;"></td>
<td width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>TOI Together</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>G/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A1/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A2/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>P/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>O-zone start</b></p>
</td>
<td width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Zone Differential</b></p>
</td>
<td width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Penalty Differential</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Steckel</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">107.33</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.22</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.88</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.44</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.55</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">39.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Selanne</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">57.06</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.69</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">53.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-6.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Holland</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">55.49</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">54.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Cogliano</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">49.29</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.03</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.56</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.97</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">44.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Bonino</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">49.15</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.88</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.18</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.76</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">52.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-7.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Winnik</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">48.17</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.54</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.45</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.72</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.71</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">41.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Beleskey</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">45.56</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.77</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.52</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.13</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.42</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">49.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-2.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.9</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Palmieri</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">43.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.79</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #002060; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">53.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Maroon</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">40.24</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.99</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.49</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.48</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">63.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-18.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Table 1. general offensive categories for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111545/emerson-etem" class="sbn-auto-link">Emerson Etem</a>’s most regular line mates. The blue colours signify the top 6 players on the Anaheim roster in that category, going from light (better) to dark blue (worse).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Steckel is obviously the player he spends most time with, and he is primarily considered an defensive player, who is sent on for the tough FO’s in our own zone. His zone start numbers do indicate that this is indeed the case. However, Steckel does help to drive the play forward, and is actually 3rd on the team for first assists. This qualitatively makes sense as it has seemed like Steckel has provided some good opportunities for Etem (and Palmieri) since he’s arrived. While this table doesn’t show it, Steckel is also 7th on the team for secondary assists. Together this might suggest that Steckel has under-appreciated playmaking abilities. This should begin to put to bed the rationale that Etem is the playmaker and finisher on his line. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Holland, Winnik, Beleskey, Palmieri and Maroon have all rated fairly highly in the assist categories per minutes of play, with Winnik, Selanne, Palmieri and Cogliano all rate in the top 10 on this team overall. While this doesn’t signify that Etem plays with brilliant playmakers, it does suggest that the players on the ice with him most often are capable of distributing the puck into scoring areas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">In addition to playing with some <i style="">ok</i> playmakers, Etem also has the opportunity to play with some solid scorers. Selanne is obviously an old legend, even though hes fallen on tough times. However players like Palmieri and Cogliano have been pretty hot this year in the scoring department. Of the players Etem plays most with 6 are in the top 10 on the ducks in terms of goal scoring, both at even strength as well as overall. Etem does in fact come in at 9th overall on A1/60, so he does show some aptitude for dishing the puck, but this is slightly surpressed from other players whos spots he might take. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Speaking of which...</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><b style="">The Competition</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">When discussing Etem, his differing role to Palmieri is often brought up. In addition to this Chicago’s Saad is having a lights out season on the leagues best team, Daniel thought they were a possible comparison, so ive picked it up and carried it. </p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="720" style=""><tbody>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;"></td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>TOI</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>G/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A1/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A2/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>P/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Shots</b></p>
</td>
<td width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Sh%</b></p>
</td>
<td width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>On SH%</b></p>
</td>
<td width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>GWG</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Etem</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.13</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.47</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.62</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.16</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.25</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">48</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">6.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">8.28</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Palmieri</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.87</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.79</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">92</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Saad</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">13.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.87</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.06</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.29</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.22</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">98</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">9.62</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Table 2. Offensive numbers of Etems immediate competition and probably ROY (he has to right??)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Etem has been consistently praised for his shot, which netted him 61 goals in junior hockey. This however hasn’t translated to the NHL as yet, with his pedestrian 6.3% shooting average. This actually drags down the on-ice shooting percentages of his linemates, suggesting that Etem either hasn’t developed an NHL calibre shot yet, or he is making poor decisions and shooting easy to stop shots. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">He rips off 1.5 shots per game, is slightly surpressed from Palmieri’s 2.2, and Saad’s 2.1 per game. Considering that Etem commence most of his starts in the offensive zone, with our best face-off man, and as discussed our third best assist per 60 guy I find Etems lack of shooting consistent with a guy who isn’t confident he can score. Saad and Palmieri arguably play the most with two of the best pivots in the game, and the argument can be made that, that alone is worth an extra shot a game. It does seem that Palmier and Saad both are making the most of their opportunities and are striking at a pretty normal level of around 10%. Palmieri in particular has shown the ability to score when needed, with half of his goals being game winners. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="733" style=""><tbody>
<tr style="height: 59.0pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;"></td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Corsi On</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Rel Corsi</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>QoT</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Corsi Rel ToC</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>QoC</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>O-zone start</b></p>
</td>
<td width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Zone Differential</b></p>
</td>
<td width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Penalty Differential</b></p>
</td>
<td width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>BS</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Hits</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.7pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Etem</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-10.13</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-6.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.302</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-2.23</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">55.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-4.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">20</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">43</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.7pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Palmieri</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.79</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">3.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.097</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.037</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.035</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">53.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">48</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.7pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Saad</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">15.07</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.428</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.076</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.104</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">56.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">12</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">41</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Table 3. Defensive, and possession driven numbers</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">I don’t particularly want to look into defensive area’s, however i think that the poor corsi and the high blocked shots numbers, indicate that Etems line cannot hold onto the puck. This situation isn’t unique, and applies to most of the forwards on the ducks however it is not an indication that someone deserves more minutes. Its possible however to consider that Etems shots per game, is actually relatively high when compared to the time in possession of the puck. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">From a numbers perspective I don’t see a reason to give Etem more minutes at the expense of one of the other top 6 wingers. Perry, Ryan and Selanne are all proven commodities and wont be surplanted by anyone. Palmieri is often placed in top 6 minutes has performed admirably, and when compared to Saad, probably deserves more minutes than he is currently getting as well. Additionally, Palmieri has improved the CF% of most players he plays with (with the exception of Getzlaf and Perry), suggesting that he makes players around him better. This same argument cannot be made for Etem, who has about a 50/50 strike rate in this metric. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><b style="">The Case for Conditioning</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Im actually pretty bored of writing this, but ill push on and make it short and sweet. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">In effect this is guess work as i have no idea what the training load for each player is, nor the actual training that they do. However this is my world, so consider it an educated guess. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">There are a number of factors that can contribute to increases in injury rates. The figure below is from an article published in 2010 in professional rugby players. Its not ground breaking in suggesting that more work = more injuries, but I do think it shows an interesting trend going towards more work at different times of the year. You’ll notice that late competition phases (such as right now for the hockey season), requires less to get injured. How this relates to Etem is simply that its late season, and the workload he would get with extra minutes, might push him into a dangerous zone with regards to injury. You’ll notice with total time on ice, that the majority of our young players have gotten approximately 10 minutes or less a game. I would think that these players are getting more coaching than the older players that may know more about hockey, or are better conditioned. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">It is pretty well established that older players have a stronger base from which to work in terms of conditioning. They’ve don’t it for years, so they don’t tend to fall away as much in times where training is scarce. This is not true of younger players. Furthermore, players like Etem might require more on-ice coaching, learning systems or even simple skills like shooting. All these things go in to total weekly load. This often gets lost when discussing conditioning, shooting, passing, skating are all repetitive movements that the conditioning staff have to monitor and plan into the players schedule. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p><img src="http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w652/bennylightning/yimg-1097816248-101--1172650156_zpsb329f30e.jpg" height="349" alt=" photo yimg-1097816248-101--1172650156_zpsb329f30e.jpg" width="465"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Figure 1. Training load vs injury likelihood.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">When evaluating whether Etem is physically ready to play more minutes, its worth asking what the risk factors for injury are. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Firstly consider that previous injury is a huge factor in injury reoccurance. If we want Etem to be a long term player in this league, preventing this is a great first step. For example </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">"Orchard reported that an injury sustained within the last eight weeks increased the risk of sustaining a muscle strain to the same location for the hamstrings (RR = 6.33), quadriceps (RR = 15.61), and calf muscles (RR = 8.94). Likewise, injuries sustained outside of an eight week time interval resulted in an increased risk of sustaining muscle strains at the same location for the hamstrings (RR = 2.42), quadriceps (RR = 3.67), and calf (RR = 4.28)."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">So in looking at risk factors, increasing the level of competition is often cited as a potential injury red flag. So consider that Etem is a rookie in the NHL, having come straight from junior. He skipped playing any league against grown men, and moved into the top competition going. Thats tough. While the intensity and quality of game play is attempted to be replicated in scrimmages, this isn’t usually possible. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">"There is general consensus in the literature that the incidence of injury is greater during competition than practice. This finding suggests that athletes may be more prone to aggressive, risk taking behaviours during competition, which may in turn increase the potential for injury"</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Fatigue is also a huge precursor to injury, as diminished aerobic fitness may cause fatigue</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">leading to a reduction in the protective effect of musculature on skeletal structures. This effects Etem because he plays on the penalty kill. I posted this in another thread but </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"The in-game data shows values ranging between 4.4 to 13.7 mmol.L-1, with a mean of 8.15 (standard deviation of 2.72) mmol.L-1. Furthermore, the in-game research highlighted that the highest blood lactate values were recorded in players on the ice during a 2-minute section of play where they were one man down (penalty kill). This also corresponded with the longest continuous work intervals (81 seconds). Small sample sizes have not allowed for regression analysis with in-game blood lactate data. However, descriptive statistics have shown an effect between longer work times and increased blood lactate recordings. This is in line with other researchers findings with regards to blood lactate."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">So Etem is already working hard per game, and due to his age and training background is less likely to be as conditioned as a Cogliano, or a Koivu, who get more even strength minutes. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Additionally Etem is a pretty solid young guy. Body size has been analysed in risk factor studies in a number of ways including height and weight, lean muscle mass, body fat%, Quetelet index, and mass moment of inertia. These variables have been considered as risk factors for injury because an increase in any one produces a proportional increase in the forces that articular, ligamentous, and muscular structures must resist. While this isn’t likely to inhibit him long term, at a relatively young age it might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Additionally training based variables such as Flexibility, range of motion, postural control, balance and stability, strength, can all affect the rates of injury (Can you guess i got bored of this and wanted it to end?).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">In conclusion, i think the team is handling Etem correctly, and while the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a> way might not be the NHL way, there is good science behind bringing a longer term player along slowly. It would be my expectation that Etem receives an increased role in the next few years, and should he earn it, be one of our top players. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">There is very little question that Etem has changed some ducks fans minds this season. His work on the penalty kill has been fantastic, and arguably one of the key reasons that particular facet of the ducks game has turned around from the start of the season. </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">"One of the best skaters outside of the NHL, Etem not only uses his speed to score, but also uses it to aggressively forecheck and pressure the opposition into making mistakes." – Hockeyfuture</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">This speed, has been shown on multiple occasions. It has however opened up the door regarding greater even strength time on ice and even power play duties. This being the case, I shall delve into the mystery of Etem’s banishment to the depths of the 4th line, starting with linemates (because im researching hockey physiology currently and i don’t think i can handle looking at it anymore)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><b style="">The Line Mates</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Etem is often considered to be banished to the 4th line, and has line mates consisting of players like Staubitz. A quick search of his regular line mates surprised me. Keep in mind that each is a fairly small sample size, which has been dictated by Etem only playing approximately 10 minutes a night, and Bruce’s line mashing.</p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="722" style=""><tbody>
<tr style="height: 46.85pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;"></td>
<td width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>TOI Together</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>G/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A1/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A2/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>P/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>O-zone start</b></p>
</td>
<td width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Zone Differential</b></p>
</td>
<td width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 46.85pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Penalty Differential</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Steckel</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">107.33</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.22</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.88</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.44</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.55</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">39.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Selanne</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">57.06</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.69</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">53.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-6.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Holland</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">55.49</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">54.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Cogliano</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">49.29</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.03</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.56</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.97</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">44.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Bonino</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">49.15</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.88</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.18</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.76</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">52.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-7.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Winnik</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">48.17</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.54</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.45</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.72</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.71</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">41.4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Beleskey</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">45.56</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.77</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.52</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.13</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.42</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">49.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-2.8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.9</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Palmieri</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">43.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.79</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #215867; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; background: #002060; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">53.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="135" style="width: 101.2pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Maroon</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="73" style="width: 54.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">40.24</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.99</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.49</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.48</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="67" style="width: 50.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">63.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-18.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="88" style="width: 66.35pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 15.6pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Table 1. general offensive categories for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111545/emerson-etem" class="sbn-auto-link">Emerson Etem</a>’s most regular line mates. The blue colours signify the top 6 players on the Anaheim roster in that category, going from light (better) to dark blue (worse).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Steckel is obviously the player he spends most time with, and he is primarily considered an defensive player, who is sent on for the tough FO’s in our own zone. His zone start numbers do indicate that this is indeed the case. However, Steckel does help to drive the play forward, and is actually 3rd on the team for first assists. This qualitatively makes sense as it has seemed like Steckel has provided some good opportunities for Etem (and Palmieri) since he’s arrived. While this table doesn’t show it, Steckel is also 7th on the team for secondary assists. Together this might suggest that Steckel has under-appreciated playmaking abilities. This should begin to put to bed the rationale that Etem is the playmaker and finisher on his line. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Holland, Winnik, Beleskey, Palmieri and Maroon have all rated fairly highly in the assist categories per minutes of play, with Winnik, Selanne, Palmieri and Cogliano all rate in the top 10 on this team overall. While this doesn’t signify that Etem plays with brilliant playmakers, it does suggest that the players on the ice with him most often are capable of distributing the puck into scoring areas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">In addition to playing with some <i style="">ok</i> playmakers, Etem also has the opportunity to play with some solid scorers. Selanne is obviously an old legend, even though hes fallen on tough times. However players like Palmieri and Cogliano have been pretty hot this year in the scoring department. Of the players Etem plays most with 6 are in the top 10 on the ducks in terms of goal scoring, both at even strength as well as overall. Etem does in fact come in at 9th overall on A1/60, so he does show some aptitude for dishing the puck, but this is slightly surpressed from other players whos spots he might take. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Speaking of which...</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><b style="">The Competition</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">When discussing Etem, his differing role to Palmieri is often brought up. In addition to this Chicago’s Saad is having a lights out season on the leagues best team, Daniel thought they were a possible comparison, so ive picked it up and carried it. </p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="720" style=""><tbody>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;"></td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>TOI</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>G/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A1/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>A2/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>P/60</b></p>
</td>
<td width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Shots</b></p>
</td>
<td width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Sh%</b></p>
</td>
<td width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>On SH%</b></p>
</td>
<td width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>GWG</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Etem</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.13</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.47</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.62</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.16</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.25</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">48</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">6.3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">8.28</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Palmieri</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.87</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.79</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.53</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">92</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.05</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.9pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="123" style="width: 92.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Saad</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">13.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.87</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">1.06</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.29</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.22</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="61" style="width: 46.05pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">98</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="74" style="width: 55.6pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="75" style="width: 56.55pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">9.62</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="79" style="width: 59.45pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 29.9pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Table 2. Offensive numbers of Etems immediate competition and probably ROY (he has to right??)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Etem has been consistently praised for his shot, which netted him 61 goals in junior hockey. This however hasn’t translated to the NHL as yet, with his pedestrian 6.3% shooting average. This actually drags down the on-ice shooting percentages of his linemates, suggesting that Etem either hasn’t developed an NHL calibre shot yet, or he is making poor decisions and shooting easy to stop shots. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">He rips off 1.5 shots per game, is slightly surpressed from Palmieri’s 2.2, and Saad’s 2.1 per game. Considering that Etem commence most of his starts in the offensive zone, with our best face-off man, and as discussed our third best assist per 60 guy I find Etems lack of shooting consistent with a guy who isn’t confident he can score. Saad and Palmieri arguably play the most with two of the best pivots in the game, and the argument can be made that, that alone is worth an extra shot a game. It does seem that Palmier and Saad both are making the most of their opportunities and are striking at a pretty normal level of around 10%. Palmieri in particular has shown the ability to score when needed, with half of his goals being game winners. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="733" style=""><tbody>
<tr style="height: 59.0pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;"></td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Corsi On</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Rel Corsi</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>QoT</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Corsi Rel ToC</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>QoC</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>O-zone start</b></p>
</td>
<td width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Zone Differential</b></p>
</td>
<td width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Penalty Differential</b></p>
</td>
<td width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>BS</b></p>
</td>
<td width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 59.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;"><b>Hits</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.7pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Etem</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-10.13</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-6.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.302</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-2.23</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">55.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-4.9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">20</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">43</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.7pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Palmieri</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.79</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">3.7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.097</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.037</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-0.035</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">53.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">10</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">48</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.7pt;">
<td valign="bottom" width="105" style="width: 78.85pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Saad</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">15.07</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.428</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">2.076</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 40.1pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.104</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">56.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">-5.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="94" style="width: 70.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">0.6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="68" style="width: 50.9pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">12</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="53" style="width: 39.5pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 19.7pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align: right; line-height: 150%;">41</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Table 3. Defensive, and possession driven numbers</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">I don’t particularly want to look into defensive area’s, however i think that the poor corsi and the high blocked shots numbers, indicate that Etems line cannot hold onto the puck. This situation isn’t unique, and applies to most of the forwards on the ducks however it is not an indication that someone deserves more minutes. Its possible however to consider that Etems shots per game, is actually relatively high when compared to the time in possession of the puck. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">From a numbers perspective I don’t see a reason to give Etem more minutes at the expense of one of the other top 6 wingers. Perry, Ryan and Selanne are all proven commodities and wont be surplanted by anyone. Palmieri is often placed in top 6 minutes has performed admirably, and when compared to Saad, probably deserves more minutes than he is currently getting as well. Additionally, Palmieri has improved the CF% of most players he plays with (with the exception of Getzlaf and Perry), suggesting that he makes players around him better. This same argument cannot be made for Etem, who has about a 50/50 strike rate in this metric. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><b style="">The Case for Conditioning</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Im actually pretty bored of writing this, but ill push on and make it short and sweet. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">In effect this is guess work as i have no idea what the training load for each player is, nor the actual training that they do. However this is my world, so consider it an educated guess. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">There are a number of factors that can contribute to increases in injury rates. The figure below is from an article published in 2010 in professional rugby players. Its not ground breaking in suggesting that more work = more injuries, but I do think it shows an interesting trend going towards more work at different times of the year. You’ll notice that late competition phases (such as right now for the hockey season), requires less to get injured. How this relates to Etem is simply that its late season, and the workload he would get with extra minutes, might push him into a dangerous zone with regards to injury. You’ll notice with total time on ice, that the majority of our young players have gotten approximately 10 minutes or less a game. I would think that these players are getting more coaching than the older players that may know more about hockey, or are better conditioned. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">It is pretty well established that older players have a stronger base from which to work in terms of conditioning. They’ve don’t it for years, so they don’t tend to fall away as much in times where training is scarce. This is not true of younger players. Furthermore, players like Etem might require more on-ice coaching, learning systems or even simple skills like shooting. All these things go in to total weekly load. This often gets lost when discussing conditioning, shooting, passing, skating are all repetitive movements that the conditioning staff have to monitor and plan into the players schedule. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p><img src="http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w652/bennylightning/yimg-1097816248-101--1172650156_zpsb329f30e.jpg" height="349" alt=" photo yimg-1097816248-101--1172650156_zpsb329f30e.jpg" width="465"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Figure 1. Training load vs injury likelihood.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">When evaluating whether Etem is physically ready to play more minutes, its worth asking what the risk factors for injury are. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Firstly consider that previous injury is a huge factor in injury reoccurance. If we want Etem to be a long term player in this league, preventing this is a great first step. For example </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">"Orchard reported that an injury sustained within the last eight weeks increased the risk of sustaining a muscle strain to the same location for the hamstrings (RR = 6.33), quadriceps (RR = 15.61), and calf muscles (RR = 8.94). Likewise, injuries sustained outside of an eight week time interval resulted in an increased risk of sustaining muscle strains at the same location for the hamstrings (RR = 2.42), quadriceps (RR = 3.67), and calf (RR = 4.28)."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">So in looking at risk factors, increasing the level of competition is often cited as a potential injury red flag. So consider that Etem is a rookie in the NHL, having come straight from junior. He skipped playing any league against grown men, and moved into the top competition going. Thats tough. While the intensity and quality of game play is attempted to be replicated in scrimmages, this isn’t usually possible. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">"There is general consensus in the literature that the incidence of injury is greater during competition than practice. This finding suggests that athletes may be more prone to aggressive, risk taking behaviours during competition, which may in turn increase the potential for injury"</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Fatigue is also a huge precursor to injury, as diminished aerobic fitness may cause fatigue</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">leading to a reduction in the protective effect of musculature on skeletal structures. This effects Etem because he plays on the penalty kill. I posted this in another thread but </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"The in-game data shows values ranging between 4.4 to 13.7 mmol.L-1, with a mean of 8.15 (standard deviation of 2.72) mmol.L-1. Furthermore, the in-game research highlighted that the highest blood lactate values were recorded in players on the ice during a 2-minute section of play where they were one man down (penalty kill). This also corresponded with the longest continuous work intervals (81 seconds). Small sample sizes have not allowed for regression analysis with in-game blood lactate data. However, descriptive statistics have shown an effect between longer work times and increased blood lactate recordings. This is in line with other researchers findings with regards to blood lactate."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">So Etem is already working hard per game, and due to his age and training background is less likely to be as conditioned as a Cogliano, or a Koivu, who get more even strength minutes. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Additionally Etem is a pretty solid young guy. Body size has been analysed in risk factor studies in a number of ways including height and weight, lean muscle mass, body fat%, Quetelet index, and mass moment of inertia. These variables have been considered as risk factors for injury because an increase in any one produces a proportional increase in the forces that articular, ligamentous, and muscular structures must resist. While this isn’t likely to inhibit him long term, at a relatively young age it might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">Additionally training based variables such as Flexibility, range of motion, postural control, balance and stability, strength, can all affect the rates of injury (Can you guess i got bored of this and wanted it to end?).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">In conclusion, i think the team is handling Etem correctly, and while the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a> way might not be the NHL way, there is good science behind bringing a longer term player along slowly. It would be my expectation that Etem receives an increased role in the next few years, and should he earn it, be one of our top players. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"> </p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/4/30/4285236/the-curious-case-of-emerson-etemBennyLightning2013-04-29T16:15:48Z2013-04-29T16:15:48ZWe a R.O.Y. amongst us!
<p><br>All the talk of our prospects such as Vatanen, Rakell, Gibson, Etem, Holland, Palms, and Lindholm, we tend to forget that the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a> do have a center of a gem in Karlsson. He's won Rookie of the Year award across the pond. Click <a href="http://www.webbsporten.se/hockey-nyheter/hockey/william-karlsson-blev-arets-rookie-2013-04-22-111940.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Not to be left out of the ROY talk, so to speak, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/157811/kevin-roy" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Roy</a> was selected to be a part of Hockey East's All Rookie Team. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>With the recent re-signing of the Twins, the organization will have to be frugal fiscally and still maintain a competitive roster. So let's take a quick look at our ducklings because I believe their future is now and how fortuitous it is for our</p>
<p>At the center position, the Ducks have the following prospects: Holland, Rakell, Karlsson, Cramarossa, Sarault, and Whitney. Only player not in NA is Karlsson. From this group, we should be able to find 2C, 3C, and a 4C. Of course, we have Bones already there and there's a possibility that Koivu could be retained for another year or two. Either way, the Ducks have talent available at their disposal. Rakell has played 9 games with the big club and was reluctantly returned to his junior team this year. Holland keeps pushing for spot on the big club. Next year should be a big year for Holland because it's either he makes the team or the team trades him for picks. Rakell makes Holland expendable. Karlsson's resume also puts the writing on the wall for Holland as well. I can see Cramarossa being groomed as a shutdown 3C or an energy 4C. </p>
<p>LW: Kerdiles, Roy, Friberg, and Smith-Pelly. This is a mix bag. Kerdiles is a power forward type. Roy is scorer from everywhere. Friberg is a streaky scorer who seems to only show up in big games. Friberg recently came to NA to play a few games with the Ads, the Ducks' minor league farm team. There's a chance Friberg's game could grow on the smaller ice in NA. Kerdiles was so impactful for this college team after his 10 game suspension, that the Badgers became competitive. Kerdiles may be a year away from joining the org directly. And Roy well, read above. Finally, DSP... a wrecking ball in juniors. Nowadays... there's this saying, "Looks like Tarzan; plays like Jane." </p>
<p> </p>
<p>RW: Etem and Wagner. Etem is solidifying himself on the big club due to his PK play. Just like Cogs, Etem's speed is something to factor in. Then there's Wagner. He's a jack of all trades type player. Initially playing center for the Ads, but later on playing on the wing. With a plethora of centers, there could be a possibility one of them or more make the switch to wing. Or maybe <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54540/bobby-ryan" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Ryan</a> can finally make RW a home for himself before he gets traded in a few years. Regardless, there's always the draft to find a RW if need be.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>D: Vatanen, Lindholm, Gagne, Clark, Welinski, Lind, and O'Brien. There's only one top six spot open for the next two years on defense. No need to have one of these prospects as a 7th defenseman to keep a seat warm in a suit. Vatanen and Gagne are quite similar such that they're both small, offensive minded defensemen. Lindholm is slowly developing into a shutdown defenseman. I guess slow isn't the correct word because he's probably the best defenseman in Norfolk and only 18!. Welinski, Lind and O'Brien as still seasoning: Welinski is a two way threat with offensive upside, Lind is a defensive defenseman, and O'Brien is a hitter who can score. Clark... well... somebody has to eventually be that 7th defenseman. Five roster spots are set in stone for the next two years. Either Vatanen or Lindholm will make the squad outright next year. The team can take its time developing defensemen as it takes time to develop defensemen. Lindholm may be the only exception. I also hear that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111843/tim-heed" class="sbn-auto-link">Tim Heed</a> might cross the pond, but that's just a rumor. </p>
<p>G: Gibson, Andersen, and Bobkov. Wow! What a stable the Ducks have at netminding. Gibson has that franchise goalie potential. Andersen was amazing in Norfollk. Bobkov is developing and shows signs of wowness as well. The Ads were terrible in front of Andersen and Bobkov, and yet the Ads almost became a playoff team until the last four game meltdown. Hiller has one more year on his contract at $4.5 million. Fasth just signed a two year extention at $2.9 million. Both of these goalies are with the big club. The Ducks are deep right now, but rest assured one of the big club's netminders will not be around next year. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Ducks' org is set on the back end with the big club having signed talent at defense and goal. There lies a lot of promise at center. There is scoring at left wing. With the re-signing of the Twins and being fiscally responsible, we might start seeing a lot of these prospects making their debuts sooner than later. And there's still more goodness to be had as another year of the draft will come along. It has to make you smile, though, to know of the many big names for the prospects we have, there's still another, Karlsson, that's making our scouting department look like geniuses! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>(Note: I just wanted to present ROY Karlsson, but didn't think I'd fit the quota of a fan post and so I just kept on writing about everyone else. Because if this was a fan shot, surely it would be like screaming in an empty forest to deliver a message. ha!) </p>
<p><br>All the talk of our prospects such as Vatanen, Rakell, Gibson, Etem, Holland, Palms, and Lindholm, we tend to forget that the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a> do have a center of a gem in Karlsson. He's won Rookie of the Year award across the pond. Click <a href="http://www.webbsporten.se/hockey-nyheter/hockey/william-karlsson-blev-arets-rookie-2013-04-22-111940.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Not to be left out of the ROY talk, so to speak, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/157811/kevin-roy" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Roy</a> was selected to be a part of Hockey East's All Rookie Team. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>With the recent re-signing of the Twins, the organization will have to be frugal fiscally and still maintain a competitive roster. So let's take a quick look at our ducklings because I believe their future is now and how fortuitous it is for our</p>
<p>At the center position, the Ducks have the following prospects: Holland, Rakell, Karlsson, Cramarossa, Sarault, and Whitney. Only player not in NA is Karlsson. From this group, we should be able to find 2C, 3C, and a 4C. Of course, we have Bones already there and there's a possibility that Koivu could be retained for another year or two. Either way, the Ducks have talent available at their disposal. Rakell has played 9 games with the big club and was reluctantly returned to his junior team this year. Holland keeps pushing for spot on the big club. Next year should be a big year for Holland because it's either he makes the team or the team trades him for picks. Rakell makes Holland expendable. Karlsson's resume also puts the writing on the wall for Holland as well. I can see Cramarossa being groomed as a shutdown 3C or an energy 4C. </p>
<p>LW: Kerdiles, Roy, Friberg, and Smith-Pelly. This is a mix bag. Kerdiles is a power forward type. Roy is scorer from everywhere. Friberg is a streaky scorer who seems to only show up in big games. Friberg recently came to NA to play a few games with the Ads, the Ducks' minor league farm team. There's a chance Friberg's game could grow on the smaller ice in NA. Kerdiles was so impactful for this college team after his 10 game suspension, that the Badgers became competitive. Kerdiles may be a year away from joining the org directly. And Roy well, read above. Finally, DSP... a wrecking ball in juniors. Nowadays... there's this saying, "Looks like Tarzan; plays like Jane." </p>
<p> </p>
<p>RW: Etem and Wagner. Etem is solidifying himself on the big club due to his PK play. Just like Cogs, Etem's speed is something to factor in. Then there's Wagner. He's a jack of all trades type player. Initially playing center for the Ads, but later on playing on the wing. With a plethora of centers, there could be a possibility one of them or more make the switch to wing. Or maybe <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54540/bobby-ryan" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Ryan</a> can finally make RW a home for himself before he gets traded in a few years. Regardless, there's always the draft to find a RW if need be.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>D: Vatanen, Lindholm, Gagne, Clark, Welinski, Lind, and O'Brien. There's only one top six spot open for the next two years on defense. No need to have one of these prospects as a 7th defenseman to keep a seat warm in a suit. Vatanen and Gagne are quite similar such that they're both small, offensive minded defensemen. Lindholm is slowly developing into a shutdown defenseman. I guess slow isn't the correct word because he's probably the best defenseman in Norfolk and only 18!. Welinski, Lind and O'Brien as still seasoning: Welinski is a two way threat with offensive upside, Lind is a defensive defenseman, and O'Brien is a hitter who can score. Clark... well... somebody has to eventually be that 7th defenseman. Five roster spots are set in stone for the next two years. Either Vatanen or Lindholm will make the squad outright next year. The team can take its time developing defensemen as it takes time to develop defensemen. Lindholm may be the only exception. I also hear that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111843/tim-heed" class="sbn-auto-link">Tim Heed</a> might cross the pond, but that's just a rumor. </p>
<p>G: Gibson, Andersen, and Bobkov. Wow! What a stable the Ducks have at netminding. Gibson has that franchise goalie potential. Andersen was amazing in Norfollk. Bobkov is developing and shows signs of wowness as well. The Ads were terrible in front of Andersen and Bobkov, and yet the Ads almost became a playoff team until the last four game meltdown. Hiller has one more year on his contract at $4.5 million. Fasth just signed a two year extention at $2.9 million. Both of these goalies are with the big club. The Ducks are deep right now, but rest assured one of the big club's netminders will not be around next year. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Ducks' org is set on the back end with the big club having signed talent at defense and goal. There lies a lot of promise at center. There is scoring at left wing. With the re-signing of the Twins and being fiscally responsible, we might start seeing a lot of these prospects making their debuts sooner than later. And there's still more goodness to be had as another year of the draft will come along. It has to make you smile, though, to know of the many big names for the prospects we have, there's still another, Karlsson, that's making our scouting department look like geniuses! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>(Note: I just wanted to present ROY Karlsson, but didn't think I'd fit the quota of a fan post and so I just kept on writing about everyone else. Because if this was a fan shot, surely it would be like screaming in an empty forest to deliver a message. ha!) </p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/4/29/4282060/we-a-r-o-y-amongst-usHockey Duckie2013-04-26T13:40:12Z2013-04-26T13:40:12ZNorfolk Year in Review
<p>Article in this morning's Virginian-Pilot reviewing the past season in Norfolk and a look ahead at next season. Very good comments on the Duck's decision to come to Norfolk and how they feel so far about the affiliation. I thought the remakrs were spot on especially Maroon's. I was embarrassed as a fan the night the Crunch first came to town. They did a stick salute at center ice after the game, way overdone. Good read.
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/04/admirals-assess-season-after-missing-playoffs</p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/4/26/4269724/norfolk-year-in-reviewRandyC2013-04-18T17:07:25Z2013-04-18T17:07:25ZPlayoff Picture
<p>Who do you guys want to see us matched up against in the playoffs? i honestly would rather play the wild instead of the blues (who we're matched up agains now). I certainly don't want us to draw San Jose or LA in round one with the struggles we've had against them lately. Also, on a completely unrelated note, i say shut fowler down for the season. His long term health is too valuable at this point. I would hate to see him rush back and have something worse happen in the playoffs. <br><br><br></p>
<p>Who do you guys want to see us matched up against in the playoffs? i honestly would rather play the wild instead of the blues (who we're matched up agains now). I certainly don't want us to draw San Jose or LA in round one with the struggles we've had against them lately. Also, on a completely unrelated note, i say shut fowler down for the season. His long term health is too valuable at this point. I would hate to see him rush back and have something worse happen in the playoffs. <br><br><br></p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/4/18/4239318/playoff-pictureSiegman222013-04-16T08:27:23Z2013-04-16T08:27:23ZWhy We Have Come to Appreciate Nick Bonino...
<p>This is gonna be a real simple post. Here's a run down of the man by the numbers</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/70150/nick-bonino" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Bonino</a> has only played 23 games this season.</p>
<p>He currently sits at 5 g - 5 a for a total of 10 points on the season.</p>
<p>Ridiculous shooting percentage (18.5%)</p>
<p>He's a blah -5, but these stats are only part of his emergence this season.</p>
<p>He also currently sits 2nd among our forwards in blocked shots (he was in first until Saturday).</p>
<p>He's still leads our team in home FO % (discounting 2 faceoffs by Maroon).</p>
<p>He took 17.4% of the teams faceoffs every game.</p>
<p>He's 7th on the team in TOI per game.</p>
<p>Leads the bottom 6 forwards special teams time per game (PP + SH).</p>
<p>He has pretty wretched advanced stats (CORSI, PDO, GF/60, etc.).</p>
<p>He was producing at .43 points per game clip, good for 10th on the team.</p>
<p>One of only 6 players who have takeaway the puck more than they have given it up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>So yeah. The dude really isn't a dope 2nd line center and maybe is not much more than a talented and smart 3rd line center. But the dude fills a crucial role in our team right in the middle. He can be the 6th forward to the 10th and he can do a lot of the little things well. My memory remembers him being an above average forechecker, average backchecker, average faceoff, good enegry, decent playmaker with growing "hockey sense." He cycles the puck well and was starting to show the ability to go up against the leagues big centers without being pushed around.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't think he's the answer to all our whoas, or anything. I just was looking at his numbers and started to think back what he was contributing to the team that made us better and come across these numbers and thought I'd share for discussion...</p>
<p>We need our best shot blocking forward back soon! Get well Nicky!</p>
<p>This is gonna be a real simple post. Here's a run down of the man by the numbers</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/70150/nick-bonino" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Bonino</a> has only played 23 games this season.</p>
<p>He currently sits at 5 g - 5 a for a total of 10 points on the season.</p>
<p>Ridiculous shooting percentage (18.5%)</p>
<p>He's a blah -5, but these stats are only part of his emergence this season.</p>
<p>He also currently sits 2nd among our forwards in blocked shots (he was in first until Saturday).</p>
<p>He's still leads our team in home FO % (discounting 2 faceoffs by Maroon).</p>
<p>He took 17.4% of the teams faceoffs every game.</p>
<p>He's 7th on the team in TOI per game.</p>
<p>Leads the bottom 6 forwards special teams time per game (PP + SH).</p>
<p>He has pretty wretched advanced stats (CORSI, PDO, GF/60, etc.).</p>
<p>He was producing at .43 points per game clip, good for 10th on the team.</p>
<p>One of only 6 players who have takeaway the puck more than they have given it up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>So yeah. The dude really isn't a dope 2nd line center and maybe is not much more than a talented and smart 3rd line center. But the dude fills a crucial role in our team right in the middle. He can be the 6th forward to the 10th and he can do a lot of the little things well. My memory remembers him being an above average forechecker, average backchecker, average faceoff, good enegry, decent playmaker with growing "hockey sense." He cycles the puck well and was starting to show the ability to go up against the leagues big centers without being pushed around.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't think he's the answer to all our whoas, or anything. I just was looking at his numbers and started to think back what he was contributing to the team that made us better and come across these numbers and thought I'd share for discussion...</p>
<p>We need our best shot blocking forward back soon! Get well Nicky!</p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/4/16/4229788/why-we-have-come-to-appreciate-nick-boninocal-S-2013-04-07T01:40:59Z2013-04-07T01:40:59ZThe Agony of The-D (Part 5)
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Disclaimer: Before you delve into my attempt at satire, comedy and drama, please note that this comic is intended to be for humorous purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are merely jest so if you are offended too bad. All representations of persons herein are parody and not be confused with persons living or dead.</i></i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"></i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, if you enjoy this please visit the godfather of sports blog comics, Wihalofan, </b><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/section/comics" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">HERE</a> at SBN's own </b><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Halos Heaven</b></a><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">.</b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, Also, a special shout out to Earl Sleek and his sports blog comics over at <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Battle of Cali</a>. Of course, his have always been near and dear to our hearts as he was until recently a historic, devout <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Ducks</a>' blogger <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/pages/boc-mythology" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">with comic genius</a>. </b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Lastly, please feel free to laugh! Enjoy!</b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">With no further <i style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">adieu...</i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">This part is inspired by the Monday matchup when Primadonna Schitz steps foot on Ponda ice wearing enemy colors. Hope we run him off the ice Ducks' style!!!</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="http://postimg.org/gallery/muluwd4/5ee993c8/" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 5)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">*Refer to Part 2 for beginning of this story!</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541471/Page_1.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541471/Page_1_medium.jpg" alt="Page_1_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/m9a8vsorv/Page_1.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541477/Page_2.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541477/Page_2_medium.jpg" alt="Page_2_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/ej3gqnmgb/Page_2.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541483/Page_3.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541483/Page_3_medium.jpg" alt="Page_3_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/z3dcm98iz/Page_3.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541489/Page_4.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541489/Page_4_medium.jpg" alt="Page_4_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/x1cv80ajv/Page_4.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for reading...</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/3/3136295/the-agony-of-the-d-part-1" target="_blank" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">The Agony of The-D (Part 1)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/6/3142020/the-agony-of-the-d-part-2" target="_blank" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">The Agony of The-D (Part 2)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/1/24/3914360/the-agony-of-the-d-part-3" target="_blank" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">The Agony of The-D (Part 3)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/3/15/4111330/the-agony-of-the-d-part-4" target="_blank"><b>The Agony of The-D (Part 4)</b></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Disclaimer: Before you delve into my attempt at satire, comedy and drama, please note that this comic is intended to be for humorous purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are merely jest so if you are offended too bad. All representations of persons herein are parody and not be confused with persons living or dead.</i></i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"></i></p>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, if you enjoy this please visit the godfather of sports blog comics, Wihalofan, </b><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/section/comics" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">HERE</a> at SBN's own </b><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Halos Heaven</b></a><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">.</b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, Also, a special shout out to Earl Sleek and his sports blog comics over at <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Battle of Cali</a>. Of course, his have always been near and dear to our hearts as he was until recently a historic, devout <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Ducks</a>' blogger <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/pages/boc-mythology" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">with comic genius</a>. </b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Lastly, please feel free to laugh! Enjoy!</b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">With no further <i style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">adieu...</i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">This part is inspired by the Monday matchup when Primadonna Schitz steps foot on Ponda ice wearing enemy colors. Hope we run him off the ice Ducks' style!!!</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="http://postimg.org/gallery/muluwd4/5ee993c8/" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 5)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">*Refer to Part 2 for beginning of this story!</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541471/Page_1.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541471/Page_1_medium.jpg" alt="Page_1_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/m9a8vsorv/Page_1.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541477/Page_2.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541477/Page_2_medium.jpg" alt="Page_2_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/ej3gqnmgb/Page_2.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541483/Page_3.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541483/Page_3_medium.jpg" alt="Page_3_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/z3dcm98iz/Page_3.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541489/Page_4.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1541489/Page_4_medium.jpg" alt="Page_4_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s23.postimg.org/x1cv80ajv/Page_4.jpg">s23.postimg.org</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for reading...</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/3/3136295/the-agony-of-the-d-part-1" target="_blank" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">The Agony of The-D (Part 1)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/6/3142020/the-agony-of-the-d-part-2" target="_blank" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">The Agony of The-D (Part 2)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/1/24/3914360/the-agony-of-the-d-part-3" target="_blank" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">The Agony of The-D (Part 3)</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;"><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/3/15/4111330/the-agony-of-the-d-part-4" target="_blank"><b>The Agony of The-D (Part 4)</b></a></p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/4/6/4192110/agony-of-the-d-part-5cal-S-2013-03-26T06:13:07Z2013-03-26T06:13:07ZHockey's Future's top 50: 41 - 50.
<p>Here's their list. <a href="http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/87267/top-50-tyler-toffoli-headlines-bottom-group-of-2013-spring-rankings/" target="_blank">#41 - 50</a>.</p>
<p>Etem is ranked 42nd. His scouting report is the same that we all know. Great offensive upside, but raw overall. </p>
<p>Gibson is ranked #48. Now here's where I spit up... G Subban is ranked 43rd. How does tourney MVP rank below <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/157208/malcolm-subban" class="sbn-auto-link">Malcolm Subban</a>?! If you read the scouting reports on both players, you'd be wondering why isn't Gibson ranked higher than Subban? Better yet, why is Gibson ranked as a fringe top 50 player? </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I used to respect HF articles, but recently, their articles have been so bleah about our <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a>. No bueno. </p>
<p>Here's their list. <a href="http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/87267/top-50-tyler-toffoli-headlines-bottom-group-of-2013-spring-rankings/" target="_blank">#41 - 50</a>.</p>
<p>Etem is ranked 42nd. His scouting report is the same that we all know. Great offensive upside, but raw overall. </p>
<p>Gibson is ranked #48. Now here's where I spit up... G Subban is ranked 43rd. How does tourney MVP rank below <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/157208/malcolm-subban" class="sbn-auto-link">Malcolm Subban</a>?! If you read the scouting reports on both players, you'd be wondering why isn't Gibson ranked higher than Subban? Better yet, why is Gibson ranked as a fringe top 50 player? </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I used to respect HF articles, but recently, their articles have been so bleah about our <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Ducks</a>. No bueno. </p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/3/25/4147920/hockeys-futures-top-50-41-50Hockey Duckie2013-03-19T16:32:42Z2013-03-19T16:32:42ZTeemu Selanne as a magical milk fairy
<p><br>So, I originally posted this in the Cory Perry signs and eight year extension piece. And right as I hit "post," I realized that it would be way better off as a fan-post... which is really way do damn typically of the way my perpetually scatter-braind brain works. So <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/teemu-selanne-magical-milk-hockey-fairy-haunting-young-151756622--nhl.html" target="_blank">here</a> is the link I posted in Perry article. Enjoy. </p>
<p><br></p>
<p>Also, be sure to notice the way Puck Daddy edits the screen grabs. I love Gabby as the moon in this one. It's so damn funny. </p>
<p>Second Also: anyone who can name the girl in the pink without looking her up online will get a cookie. <br><br></p>
<p><br>So, I originally posted this in the Cory Perry signs and eight year extension piece. And right as I hit "post," I realized that it would be way better off as a fan-post... which is really way do damn typically of the way my perpetually scatter-braind brain works. So <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/teemu-selanne-magical-milk-hockey-fairy-haunting-young-151756622--nhl.html" target="_blank">here</a> is the link I posted in Perry article. Enjoy. </p>
<p><br></p>
<p>Also, be sure to notice the way Puck Daddy edits the screen grabs. I love Gabby as the moon in this one. It's so damn funny. </p>
<p>Second Also: anyone who can name the girl in the pink without looking her up online will get a cookie. <br><br></p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/3/19/4123746/teemu-selanne-as-a-magical-milk-fairyalex.loop2013-03-16T05:49:35Z2013-03-16T05:49:35ZThe Agony of The-D (Part 4)
<p><br></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Disclaimer: Before you delve into my attempt at satire, comedy and drama, please note that this comic is intended to be for humorous purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are merely jest so if you are offended too bad. All representations of persons herein are parody and not be confused with persons living or dead.</i></i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"></i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, if you enjoy this please visit the godfather of sports blog comics, Wihalofan, </b><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/section/comics" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">HERE</a> at SBN's own </b><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Halos Heaven</b></a><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">.</b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, Also, a special shout out to Earl Sleek and his sports blog comics over at <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Battle of Cali</a>. Of course, his have always been near and dear to our hearts as he was until recently a historic, devout <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Ducks</a>' blogger <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/pages/boc-mythology" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">with comic genius</a>. </b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Lastly, please feel free to laugh! Enjoy!</b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">With no further <i style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">adieu...</i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://postimage.org/gallery/f60r6hq/432107b0/" target="_blank"><b>Agony of The-D (Part 4)</b></a></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500865/Page_1.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500865/Page_1_medium.jpg" alt="Page_1_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/5tx2kx24h/Page_1.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500871/Page_2.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500871/Page_2_medium.jpg" alt="Page_2_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/mvpwn0gzl/Page_2.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500877/Page_3.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500877/Page_3_medium.jpg" alt="Page_3_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/vs0oqy7lt/Page_3.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500883/Page_4.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500883/Page_4_medium.jpg" alt="Page_4_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/jenuk1hxd/Page_4.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500889/Page_5.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500889/Page_5_medium.jpg" alt="Page_5_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/4wqnc1qm9/Page_5.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500901/Page_6.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500901/Page_6_medium.jpg" alt="Page_6_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/4y0l5gsg1/Page_6.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500913/Page_7.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500913/Page_7_medium.jpg" alt="Page_7_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/sqehuqjup/Page_7.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500919/Page_8.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500919/Page_8_medium.jpg" alt="Page_8_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/srofo5loh/Page_8.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500925/Page_9.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500925/Page_9_medium.jpg" alt="Page_9_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/emimmccn5/Page_9.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500937/Page_10.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500937/Page_10_medium.jpg" alt="Page_10_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/7xc36brb5/Page_10.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Enjoy the first 3 installments of "THE AGONY OF THE-D if you haven't checked them out yet. I just redid them with the pictures on the post so you can enjoy them in their original intended glory!</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/3/3136295/the-agony-of-the-d-part-1" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 1)</a></b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/6/3142020/the-agony-of-the-d-part-2" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 2)</a></b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/1/24/3914360/the-agony-of-the-d-part-3" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 3)</a></b></p>
<p><br></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Disclaimer: Before you delve into my attempt at satire, comedy and drama, please note that this comic is intended to be for humorous purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are merely jest so if you are offended too bad. All representations of persons herein are parody and not be confused with persons living or dead.</i></i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"></i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, if you enjoy this please visit the godfather of sports blog comics, Wihalofan, </b><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/section/comics" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">HERE</a> at SBN's own </b><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #88672a; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Halos Heaven</b></a><b style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">.</b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Also, Also, a special shout out to Earl Sleek and his sports blog comics over at <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Battle of Cali</a>. Of course, his have always been near and dear to our hearts as he was until recently a historic, devout <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">Ducks</a>' blogger <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com/pages/boc-mythology" target="_blank" style="color: #c52126; text-decoration: none;">with comic genius</a>. </b><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Lastly, please feel free to laugh! Enjoy!</b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;">With no further <i style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">adieu...</i></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://postimage.org/gallery/f60r6hq/432107b0/" target="_blank"><b>Agony of The-D (Part 4)</b></a></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em; color: #292929; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500865/Page_1.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500865/Page_1_medium.jpg" alt="Page_1_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/5tx2kx24h/Page_1.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500871/Page_2.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500871/Page_2_medium.jpg" alt="Page_2_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/mvpwn0gzl/Page_2.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500877/Page_3.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500877/Page_3_medium.jpg" alt="Page_3_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/vs0oqy7lt/Page_3.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500883/Page_4.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500883/Page_4_medium.jpg" alt="Page_4_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/jenuk1hxd/Page_4.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500889/Page_5.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500889/Page_5_medium.jpg" alt="Page_5_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/4wqnc1qm9/Page_5.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500901/Page_6.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500901/Page_6_medium.jpg" alt="Page_6_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/4y0l5gsg1/Page_6.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500913/Page_7.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500913/Page_7_medium.jpg" alt="Page_7_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/sqehuqjup/Page_7.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500919/Page_8.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500919/Page_8_medium.jpg" alt="Page_8_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/srofo5loh/Page_8.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500925/Page_9.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500925/Page_9_medium.jpg" alt="Page_9_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/emimmccn5/Page_9.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500937/Page_10.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1500937/Page_10_medium.jpg" alt="Page_10_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://s22.postimage.org/7xc36brb5/Page_10.jpg">s22.postimage.org</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Enjoy the first 3 installments of "THE AGONY OF THE-D if you haven't checked them out yet. I just redid them with the pictures on the post so you can enjoy them in their original intended glory!</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/3/3136295/the-agony-of-the-d-part-1" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 1)</a></b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2012/7/6/3142020/the-agony-of-the-d-part-2" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 2)</a></b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/1/24/3914360/the-agony-of-the-d-part-3" target="_blank">The Agony of The-D (Part 3)</a></b></p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/3/15/4111330/the-agony-of-the-d-part-4cal-S-2013-03-15T19:27:26Z2013-03-15T19:27:26ZCrazy new playoff idea
<p><br><br>Okay, so the new alignment and the wild-card playoffs have been accepted. But I just want to hear what other fans think of a "different" proposal, one that I think would make the playoffs more exciting without divisional rounds.</p>
<p>Qualifying-wise, same rules apply; top 3 from each division plus the next 2 in the conference standings. But the match ups change. Based on conference position, let the top teams <i>choose </i>who they face off against. If the #1 team would rather play a #6 they had no trouble with in the season instead of a hot #8, let them choose to. Besides, isn't everything more personal when someone calls you out? And also, imagine the 3rd seed picking the 4th so the 5th and 6th (for this demonstration, lets call them the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/pittsburgh-penguins" class="sbn-auto-link">Penguins</a> and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/philadelphia-flyers" class="sbn-auto-link">Flyers</a>) are set to rip each other apart. </p>
<p>Odd idea, just floating it. </p>
<p><br><br>Okay, so the new alignment and the wild-card playoffs have been accepted. But I just want to hear what other fans think of a "different" proposal, one that I think would make the playoffs more exciting without divisional rounds.</p>
<p>Qualifying-wise, same rules apply; top 3 from each division plus the next 2 in the conference standings. But the match ups change. Based on conference position, let the top teams <i>choose </i>who they face off against. If the #1 team would rather play a #6 they had no trouble with in the season instead of a hot #8, let them choose to. Besides, isn't everything more personal when someone calls you out? And also, imagine the 3rd seed picking the 4th so the 5th and 6th (for this demonstration, lets call them the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/pittsburgh-penguins" class="sbn-auto-link">Penguins</a> and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/philadelphia-flyers" class="sbn-auto-link">Flyers</a>) are set to rip each other apart. </p>
<p>Odd idea, just floating it. </p>
http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2013/3/15/4109222/crazy-new-playoff-ideaBleys