Jason Krog enters the big top
Jul 11th, 2008 | By Mike | Category: Nation-BuildingI know I know, you are excited to finally nickname someone “Krogger”.
An interesting pick up, here’s his story in handy dandy bullet format:
- Native of Fernie, B.C.
- 1999 Hobey Baker Award winner, 238 points (94G, 144A) in four years at UNH
- Bounced around between the Islanders, Ducks, Rangers and Thrashers
- Part of the Duck 2002-03 playoff run with 4 pts (3G, 1A)
- AHL MVP last year on the Atlanta AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves
- NHL totals = 175 games (18G, 34A)
Clearly Gillis wants to replace a lost 5′11” Hobey Baker center (Morrison) with another. Golf clap.
He’s another project, but at least one with decent upside. His numbers in college, the Austrian League and the AHL are good but he may be (and I am guessing) too small or too easy to knock off the puck to be effective in the NHL. But if he’s injury insurance we could do a lot worse and may be another guy in training camp (along with the likes of Hansen, Shannon, Jaffray maybe even Grabner finally) who can push for a spot on opening night.
So, without knowing much about Krog’s contract, life as a Vancouver fan has you anchored to the following reality:
Not really sure where it makes the most sense to put Pettinger, Pyatt and Raymond in this mix just yet. I feel like you have to keep Raymond up at least in the top three but now we’re moving Pyatt at his expense. A line of Burrows/Kesler/Pettinger would be a hell of a shutdown line if they played well together. Thoughts?
July 11th, 2008 7:17 pm
I like that there’s a solid two-way feel to pretty much every line. And I would move Pyatt down without much hesitation depending on which hand is hot. Vignault’s enough of a line shuffler that he’ll play Raymond or Pyatt wherever their play suits at the time, which is one of the few upsides to his coaching style.
As for the shutdown line, it certainly would be a good one. The only thing is, I can’t shake the thought that Kesler really is waiting to get paired with someone with an offensive upside. He’s a great two-way guy, but with guys like Pettinger and Burrows, he’s never going to break the 80-point mark. It’s not the best possible combo, but if he and Demitra can click, especially in the absence of an injured Wellwood, then I say give him the chance to shine in a more offensive role.
July 11th, 2008 9:41 pm
Krog is too good of a name to pass up. Its not quite as cool as Bonk though, now there is a hockey name.
July 11th, 2008 10:49 pm
This is big for the moose if he plays for them. Calder Cup treat right off the bat but i wanna see if get a shot at the NHL. Maybe not with the canucks but maybe with the blackhawks
July 12th, 2008 6:45 am
Neb – Good point on the line shuffling, it does give Alain more options then last year at the moment. I think Kesler really grew into that shutdown role nicely last year. He never struck me as a purely offensive talent capable of 80 pts but maybe he could be. Always comes down to the right linemates and that’s still up in the air. It’s coming together though, bit by bit.
Rich – Bonk is almost untouchable. Funny thing is I just had to look him up to see if he was still playing which is (Nashville) but we have to get him back in the limelight. Or get him over to Pittsburgh because a “Bonk Satan” line would be phenomenal for Mike Lange.
Moose/Hawks – The ‘hawks have enough kids and a fun summer so far. Though my heart does out go out to you guys for years of suffering. OK, Krog for Keith? You know you want it…
July 15th, 2008 2:04 am
Although Pyatt is not the best skated, he played very well with Kesler last season. I’d prefer Pyatt on Kes’ line than Raymond, only because Raymond’s offense might suffer here and Pyatt, for some reason, was able to keep the puck stapled in the offensive zone everytime he’s with Kes.
August 7th, 2008 9:08 am
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