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About This Page: This is a discussion on LA Kings Talk within the LetsGoKings.com forums, at Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum. Originally Posted by gescom
oh brother.
Amen.
Now nobody is really hammering on Armstrong, but the simple fact is that he is not what a WINNING club would have as a #2 center. Though your statistical review may place him as a serviceable #2 center, his presence on the #2 line indicates that the club that employs him as their #2 center isn't very good up the middle.
What do you mean by hammering. I hear all of the time on this board, "Armstrong sucks", "Armstrong doesn't belong in the NHL", "If Armstrong is on this team next year I am going to be pissed". That's not hammering? The fact of the matter is that Armstrong is completely adequate for 2nd line duty. Are there better 2nd line centers? Absolutely, but don't harp on Armstrong because you think he doesn't belong there. He has earned his spot on the second line as well as the respect of his teammates. As for what you think a good club might have as their second line center, do you think Detroit is a good club? Their second line center Hudler has 35 pts. on the year in 61 games which is 6 pts. more than Armstrong and places himself 51st on the list of top 60 center men in the NHL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crockett77
If and it is a big IF, Crawford is smart, he will not break up those 3 but instead look to the minors Cough-Brian Boyle-Cough for somebody to plug into Kopitar's line and see what happens.
I think after seeing Boyle play the few games he has, he would dynamite with Kopitar and Brown. Big body in front of the net creating traffic and he can finish, Kopitar skating circles around the defense and ripping off that snap shot, Brown in the corners hitting and getting the puck. They kinda remind me of a line the Kings employed in the late 70's-early 80's but the name escapes me. Anyway...
Now if those 2 lines, over the course of a few games, do nothing then you adjust. But for the time being you keep them together. Because what is the worst that can happen finish in last place.
I'm not saying that the Kings should not improve their top six and not replace Armstrong. I'm saying that Armstrong has done a fine job as the second line center man for this team. The Kings are 12th in the league with 2.81 G/Gm. and 9th in the league with 177 goals scored. The offense has not been a problem for this team this year. It's the defense that needs to shored up and reevaluated. Before fans start riding Armstrong and his offensive output they should be riding those guys that are supposed to keep puck from going into the Kings net.
What do you mean by hammering. I hear all of the time on this board, "Armstrong sucks", "Armstrong doesn't belong in the NHL", "If Armstrong is on this team next year I am going to be pissed". That's not hammering? The fact of the matter is that Armstrong is completely adequate for 2nd line duty. Are there better 2nd line centers? Absolutely, but don't harp on Armstrong because you think he doesn't belong there. He has earned his spot on the second line as well as the respect of his teammates.
.
Is there anychance you are a Angels fan? Because its this approach by Angels fans that make me sick. Angels fans here in OC to this day still say "oh the Angels should have never gotten rid of Eckstien, he was a good little player" "he was so nice" etc. etc. Meanwhile, they replaced him with perhaps the best shortstop in the game. We are all die hards here for the Kings. Time to start being pissed and to expect mgt to place the best man for the job in any given position. Armstrong is good guy in the room sure, but he is FAR from the best man for the job. He is a 3rd or 4th liner @ best on a team that wants to win.
Is there anychance you are a Angels fan? Because its this approach by Angels fans that make me sick. Angels fans here in OC to this day still say "oh the Angels should have never gotten rid of Eckstien, he was a good little player" "he was so nice" etc. etc. Meanwhile, they replaced him with perhaps the best shortstop in the game. We are all die hards here for the Kings. Time to start being pissed and to expect mgt to place the best man for the job in any given position. Armstrong is good guy in the room sure, but he is FAR from the best man for the job. He is a 3rd or 4th liner @ best on a team that wants to win.
That's the best you can come back with. When you can figure out logic and unemotional decision making then get back to me.
What do you mean by hammering. I hear all of the time on this board, "Armstrong sucks", "Armstrong doesn't belong in the NHL", "If Armstrong is on this team next year I am going to be pissed". That's not hammering? The fact of the matter is that Armstrong is completely adequate for 2nd line duty. Are there better 2nd line centers? Absolutely, but don't harp on Armstrong because you think he doesn't belong there. He has earned his spot on the second line as well as the respect of his teammates. As for what you think a good club might have as their second line center, do you think Detroit is a good club? Their second line center Hudler has 35 pts. on the year in 61 games which is 6 pts. more than Armstrong and places himself 51st on the list of top 60 center men in the NHL.
I'm not saying that the Kings should not improve their top six and not replace Armstrong. I'm saying that Armstrong has done a fine job as the second line center man for this team. The Kings are 12th in the league with 2.81 G/Gm. and 9th in the league with 177 goals scored. The offense has not been a problem for this team this year. It's the defense that needs to shored up and reevaluated. Before fans start riding Armstrong and his offensive output they should be riding those guys that are supposed to keep puck from going into the Kings net.
Don't let the loud voices of the stupid few drown out quiet cheers of the many. Armstrong is a fine player.
Also, don't let your love of bottom line stats get in the way of reality. Armstrong's point production comes when he centers the 3rd line. That's when he is at his best. He is not a puck carrier like Kopitar. Your #2 center needs to be able to lug the puck thru the middle and hit wingers flying down the wing. He can't do it.
He is a dump and chase type player, and that is ok. Too many times while centering the 2nd line he choose to dump the puck in. Frolov, O'Sullivan, Cammi are not go into the corner get the puck type players. Thus many times the Kings were caught with Armstrong, and his linemates going the wrong way while the opponent went the opposite direction, usually on an out numbered attack.
While on the #3 line with that style players he would dump the puck in, and the wingers would go get it, cycle and sometimes get a goal. He is dynamite in that role. Injuries have elevated him to the #2 line. There is a difference between a great #3 center and a good #2.
Hulder isn't asked to score from the middle, his winger Zetterberg is the force on that line. Hulder is the guy who gets the outlet pass from the D brings it through the middle and looks his wingers on the outside. Then rotates to the 3rd man high as he is asked to sacrifice offense for defense. Many times he is the "3rd Assist". So his point total though low, is skewed because of the greater good of the team.
Apples Oranges, better defensive play by others will not make Armstrong liked any better or worse.
Billy Smith credits Butch Goring as being the single most important player in the Islanders 4 Stanley cups. Bossy, Potvin, Trotier, Nystrom, Jethro the whole gang, Smith credits Goring because he elevated the play of the 2nd line. That was enough to get them over the hump. And rather than hold their own the 2nd line centered by Goring began to take advantage.
Armstrong shouldn't be replaced. He should be here next year as the #3 center and slumps, injuries, benchings or whatever comes along in life he will be fine as a temporary replacement for a game or 3.
But, the simple fact remains though serviceable as a #2 center, a true quality #2 center he isn't.
Lars H
