Comments for Ryan Callahan vs. Dany Heatley at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 14 out of 14 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Fri, 24 May 2013 19:01:16 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18346 I was fortunate enough to trade heatley for datsyuk at the beginning of november. I couldn't wait to get him off my team. - Garri Jones Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:20:12 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18254 And I know it's a small sample but so far he's doing well being in a more offensive role, so it's more relevant to highlight those numbers. - horrorfan Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:22:38 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18253 "He needs to be closer to a 45 point pace at the minimum." I'm not labeling him to any type of soft drink - don't really care about that. I'm just commenting on your quote above and now he's on a 47 point pace (7 points in 12 games) since Zidlicky's injury so just looking at the full season numbers doesn't give him enough credit. I never said he'll directly help Heatley, I just wanted to point out that he's helping the PP without Zidlicky so perhaps that'll have a trickle down effect. - horrorfan Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:21:15 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18246 11 games is a pretty weak sample size and that lifts him to what, RC Cola status? How is that helping Heatley? Over those same 11 games Heatley has seven points, maintaining his horrific scoring pace. - steve laidlaw Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:39:56 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18231 Just want to point out that Spurgeon has 6 points in 11 games since Zidlicky's last game, including 4 on the power play. Depending on Zidlicky's recovery, Spurgeon could keep helping the PP quite a bit, looking beyond his full season numbers. - horrorfan Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:34:32 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18225 Here's the problem with Bouchard; he's streaky. He'll dazzle you with the speed and stickhandling but it doesn't consistently translate to points. He may have looked much better recently but he doesn't maintain these runs of superb play. He is capable of getting 60 this season but that's a real long shot at this point and he's only skating with Heatley on the power play. Bouchard would have to single-handedly turn that power play on its head to boost Heatley. Spurgeon is flat ginger ale until further notice. Looking the part isn't good enough. You could've just poured ginger ale into my Pepsi can. He's got to produce the same way as a cola to earn cola status. - steve laidlaw Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:35:38 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18224 Compromise on flat RC Ginger Ale? These metaphors are making me thirsty! :D - Karlos El Taco Piquante Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:28:10 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18223 Im just saying-having watched a lot of Minny games this year the pp looks snake bitten and I think its just a matter of time before PMB/Spurgeon start to reap the benefits of a more efficient scoring clip. I guess PMB is not in that class but he is easy to forget and very underrated. Not really buying the SO specialist tag at all here. He eats powerplay time for breakfast and Im putting it in writing here- he will surprise a lot of people this year. On pace for 50 but producing much better. Im calling just about .8 ppg from here on out- which puts him at low/mid 60s after a slowish start. I think theres even a bit of upside left there. Not exactly Marleau/Alffy territory but like I said he is technically just hitting his prime at 27 and might be a bit of a late peak due to missing a season and a half. All I can say is that hes a joy to watch and cerainly flashes a lot of skill if you dont catch many Minny games. I accept the RC Cola compromise- well played. Spurgeon will hit 30+ this year without a shadow of a doubt though- mark it! - Karlos El Taco Piquante Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:26:33 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18222 Kevin - I do not always qualify this in my articles to cut down on volume but my Cage Match articles are always geared towards performance in your standard 6x4 setup with Goals, Assists, +/-, PPP, PIM, SOG as the skater categories. With more categories Callahan's value sky rockets but I can only cover so much. If anything it is worth noting that Heatley is surprisingly strong with hits and blocks added. Karlos - I don't think I snubbed PMB. I just said he wasn't elite. Big difference. I guess you could argue that PMB is an elite shootout shooter but I don't see that helping Heatley. So PMB is good but there's no comparison to linemates Heatley has had in his last couple NHL stops. I mean, PMB vs. Alffy or Marleau? Not a chance. PMB is good but he's not in that class. More importantly, when has PMB ever elevated the scoring of one of his teammates? I can't think of one, and that's my point. Also, Spurgeon? A can of Pepsi? No way bro. He's solid but 10 points in 28 games is more like flat ginger ale than it is like Pepsi. In the unreasonable world of fantasy hockey analogies name brand colas are reserved for only la creme de la creme. He needs to be closer to a 45 point pace at the minimum. If he can get on pace for thirty I'll grant him RC Cola status. - steve laidlaw Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:54:29 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18221 Good article all in all- generally agree with the sentiment. I find one leap of judgement particularly disagreeable though. I think Heatley actually has quite a bit of help on the powerplay and the assumption that he doesn't is a little disconcerting. Mikko Koivu has always been an underrated offensive threat and can fill a variety of role on the PP. In terms of no name Cola- Id say Spurgeon is looking more and more like brand name Pepsi these days as well. But really my beef is about one guy who doesnt get an ounce of credit: PMB. In fact Im guessing his name on the list is supposed to be the main implication that Heatley has ineffective linemates on the man advantage. This is simply inaccurate. PMB leaves a sour taste with poolies because of his propensity for injury, and pass first mentality but when healthy he is one of the more dynamic set-up men in the game with a distinct knack quarterbacking the powerplay. He is an elite- albeit injury prone and somewhat one dimensional- offensive threat. You cant help but give props to a guy who scored at a 60 point clip 3 consecutive years under an offense deprived, Lemaire strangled team. His 4 powerplay points this year isnt necessarily indicative of this skill- but his goal last night was on the man advantage and he has been all over the highlight reels with his finesse lately. This guy is getting his groove back and definitely trending upward. I say that much moreso with an eye on actual gameplay than stat crunching. He will surprise people this year and at 27 writing him off is likely a mistake. In fact the whole powerplay has been a little bit snake bitten. I honestly would not be shocked to see them in the top 15 by years end. If Spurgeon can take a step forward and Clutter can crash and bang his way into 20-25 goals Id go as far as to say top ten. Is this enough to turn the tides on Heatleys verdict? Maybe not- but to say he has no one to play with is, at a minimum- grossly overstating the point (imho). To clarify I like the article- just take exception to that one judgement call... - Karlos El Taco Piquante Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:25:11 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18220 It should also be noted that Callahan is a stud when it comes to hits and blocked shots. I scooped him up at a huge discount in my league. Heater went in the 3rd round and I took Cally in the 9th round. He's actually my best producing forward above Parise, Kesler, Getzlaf, Duchene, Benn, Moulson, Pacioretty, Tavares. No surprises though. In my mind, he proved his worth last season with some solid numbers and the determination to earn captainship. It's just a matter of obtaining him before the rest of your league sees his ability. - Kevin Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:55:31 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18219 True dat, Massimo. True dat. - steve laidlaw Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:38:47 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18207 And if your league counts "heart and soul" it's really no contest. - Massimo Cinelli Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:43:04 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/laidlaw/4178-ryan-callahan-vs-dany-heatley#comment-18204 "dried out jellyfish". awesome. - haha Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:50:05 +0100